Let's Talk Scuba Regulators

Whether you're new to scuba diving or a diving nut, you want to be sure the scuba regulator you have is top notch. There are differences in any scuba regulator and tons to consider such as warm water regulators, cold-water models, and ones that will work for any dive. Let's look at what's new, what are musts for diving regulators, and what's a surprising alternative.

What's New in Regulators?

In 2008, we saw the technologically advanced carbon fiber regulator that was lightweight and claimed to be most wanted for years. Compact yet high in performance the carbon fiber regulator's second stage case came in sixty-five percent lighter than it's metal cousins-take a look at these, if for nothing else-your curiosity.

The Sherwood Gemini model became a star in the alternate inflator category and scored points with its ease for its breathing features and well designed and placed controls. Beyond the weight-it's light, nitrox-ready, and rated "excellent" at moderate breathing rates at both 132 and 165 feet.

What's a Must in Regulators?

Durability was what most divers want when it comes to regulators. Like the Sherwood Oasis, a good warm-water regulator, models were tested for durability, service hours, annual servicing, corrosion issues, and peak performance. With the advancement of diving regulators, especially since 2005, most were durable, and like any good piece of equipment, you should follow the manufacturer's recommended care procedures to ensure your model lasts.

Another Sherwood model, the Blizzard, good for cold-water dives and its ability to keep the moisture and icing out, was only part of this regulator's features. Exclusive to this model, a bubble deflector exhaust tee reduced the bubble size and performed great for line of vision.

The SR1 by Sherwood boasts a 360-degree swivel that works with both a yoke and DIN attachment. Good for all-weather diving, we were awed at the two high-pressure ports and five low-pressure ports. A top pick for 2008, this scuba regulator had it all, but the 360 degree swivel was impressive and to us-a must.

An Alternative in Regulators

The alternate inflation regulators are extremely functional and are integrated into your power inflator, getting rid of the traditional octopus hose. These were a challenge to build because of their small housings geared at keeping them ergonomically correct-but with today's technology, they have built some good ones. Most inflation regulators on today's market have gotten a nod from some experts and we expect to see more advancement in these dive regulator models.

The Bottom Line

We looked at lots of models of dive regulators and we connected most with the Sherwood products, perhaps because they've been at it a while. In any event, a regulator is key to your aqua-lung when diving, so be sure to take the time to talk and ask a lot of questions before you commit to buy. Prices can range from a low $200 to highs at $600 or more. Depending on how serious you are in your scuba diving, your sports store should be able to tell you which ones will perform well for you.

How Scuba Regulators Work

Scuba regulators reduce the air pressure from the tank to ambient pressure to allow us to breathe underwater. The regulator is in two stages; the first reduces the tank pressure to an intermediate pressure; the second stage, which is usually incorporated into the mouthpiece in modern recreational scuba equipment, reduces it further so that we can breathe at ambient pressure.

Scuba regulators provide air on demand; that is to say that when the diver breathes in the demand valve is opened to provide air and when the diver exhales the air demand valve is closed and the stale air is vented into the water.

First stage regulator

The first stage regulator attaches directly to the scuba tank. The standard connector is an A-clamp, which fits over the valve at the top of the tank and is fastened by tightening a yoke screw, although some European divers use a DIN connector. DIN provides a more secure fastening by screwing directly into the tank valve and can be used with higher cylinder pressures than the A-clamp, but divers with DIN regulators can use a converter to attach their equipment to a US style scuba tank.

It is not only the connector type that can vary though; the mechanism to detect pressure changes can either use a piston, upon which external water pressure acts, or a flexible diaphragm attached to a push rod. Both types of regulator can be either balanced or unbalanced, with the former able to compensate for changes in cylinder pressure and therefore have a larger opening with which to deliver more air.

Finally, some first stage regulators are environmentally sealed; that is to say, rather then the water acting on the mechanism directly, it acts upon a fluid that transmits the pressure to the piston or diaphragm. The advantages of this are that it reduces the risk of internal corrosion or sediment build up inside the first stage as well as providing thermal insulation to the mechanism; this is important in low temperatures to prevent the regulator from freezing up.

The second stage

The second stage regulator is attached to the first stage by a hose that is usually worn over the right shoulder. It consists of a diaphragm and purge valve at the front, the mouthpiece top rear and exhaust bottom rear.

As with the first stage there are different types of second stage scuba regulators - the most common is the downstream valve, where a diaphragm connected to a lever opens or closes a one-way valve. In the other option the lever opens a pilot valve, which in turn opens the main valve, a more complicated design that provides greater airflow for less effort. The greater complexity of the latter makes them both more expensive and harder to maintain.

Scuba Regulator Maintenance - Steps to Keep Your Regulator Working Underwater

Your scuba diving regulator is a crucial piece of dive gear. After all, without it we wouldn't be diving. And who can imagine life without diving?

Since it is such an important piece of equipment, we need to take care of it properly. Luckily, it is not hard to take good care of your regulator. So no excuses. Just follow the scuba regulator maintenance tips below and you should be breathing nice and easy underwater for years to come.

Steps for Scuba Regulator Care

Dry Dustcap and Seal Properly
If you are going to be rinsing your regulator while it is off the tank, you need to make sure no water gets in the second stage. First, ensure that the dustcap is dry. One way to do this is to blow the water off with air from the tank. Alternatively, you can use a towel to dry the surface of the dustcap. Then securely fasten the dustcap on the opening. Make sure you have a proper seal because you do not want any water to get in the first stage of the regulator.
Soak the Regulator
If you only do one thing in your scuba regulator care routine, make it be this step.This is an important step and will get rid of any deposits that may be on your regulator. Swoosh the regulator around a bit to get rid of any loose particles. Dive shops usually have a rinse tank that you can use after a dive to rinse your gear. If you are not at a shop, rinse your regulator as soon as you get a chance.
Move the Levers (but not the purge!)
Work any levers/buttons back and forth to loosen anything that may have attached to your equipment. Do this while the regulator is underwater. However, make sure you do not push the purge button. This will let water into the second stage which could travel up to the first stage. Something you do not want to happen.
Finish With a Stream of Water
While you will probably get most of the debris out of the regulator with the above steps, if you get a chance, run a stream of water through the first and second stages (again, with the dust cap securely in place and without pushing the purge button). This should get rid of any remaining particles in the chambers and other openings.
Dry the Regulator
Before you store it, let the regulator dry thoroughly. Do not dry in the direct sunlight as it can affect any rubber parts.
Store Properly
Store the regulator in a cool, dry spot. Store away from sunlight and fumes. Position the regulator in such a way that the hoses are not kinked.
Get Annual Scuba Regulator Service
Most scuba regulator manufacturers require the regulator to be serviced annually in order to remain under warranty. Check the terms on your regulator. While this step has been subject to debate, it is probably the safest thing to do.
Hopefully you will agree with me that scuba diving regulator maintenance is pretty easy. Just follow this guide and you should have many great and safe dives ahead of you.

Scuba Diving Regulators - How Do They Function?

One of the most important components in a self contained underwater breathing apparatus is its air regulator. Scuba diving regulator allows the diver to comfortably breathe in air at ambient pressure while allowing used air to be expelled. This is why scuba diving regulators must be taken care of properly, otherwise, it might fail to function which could be fatal if such malfunction would happen several meters deep underwater.

Regular maintenance of this important breathing apparatus component must be performed. Aside from this, periodic examination of its main function should also be done, especially before you swim underwater with it, to assure you that it is still working properly. But how do you really properly care for your scuba diving regulator?

One of the most important steps in scuba diving regulator care is ensuring the dust-cap and the seal are dry before you rinse them off the tank. This is because you do not want any water to get into the second stage regulator otherwise, corrosion may result which could definitely damage your lungs. You may want to blow the water off the dust-cap with pressurized air from your cylinder or you can pat its surface with a clean and soft towel. Once it is properly dry, you can now put a tight seal on it so as to prevent any moisture or water droplets to get into the first stage.

Then soak the sealed scuba diving regulator in a rinse tank and swoosh it around a little bit so that loose particles will fall out. While it is still inside a rinse tank, try to move the levers back and forth to get rid of any particles which may have adhered to it while you were swimming underwater. However, take care not to push or move the purge button because if you do so, you run the risk of letting water into the regulator's second stage which, in turn, might seep into the second stage and cause some corrosion to form. You definitely would not want that to happen.

After this, put the scuba diving regulator under a strong stream of water to take off any remaining particles which you were not able to dislodge in the rinsing tank. Before you do, however, make sure once again that the dust-cap is tightly in place and take care not to touch or push the purge button. Then, take off the excess water residue by carefully tapping it with a soft towel and let it dry in a warm and clean area but never under direct sunlight. Store your scuba diving regulator in a cool and dry place. Also make sure that the hoses are positioned in a way that there are no twisted or bent portions.

Habitually giving your scuba diving regulator proper care is a step in the right direction. By doing so, you will be assured that it will always be in good condition.

Buying Scuba Diving Gear Regulators-What You Need To Ask Before You Buy!

There is a definite advantage to buying and owning your own scuba diving equipment. The main benefit with regulators is the piece of mind you get when you know the history of the regulator, as well as the service history. Modern regulators have been refined to the point where they are ultra reliable, IF the service recommendations of the manufacturer have been followed. Regulators are usually the first major investment for most scuba divers, and will be a one time purchase for most sport divers. For those divers that go down the tech, wreck, cave and professional scuba diver paths, they will probably want to upgrade several times during their careers. The secret is keeping you gear in good repair, with all of the service records, and you should be able to retain 60% or more of the value, if you decide to upgrade. If you are buying new gear from the same shop that you bought from originally, and had it serviced according to the manufactures recommendations, you might get an even better exchange, as they will be confident that the gear is in good nick as well

Regulators 1st stages Balanced & Unbalanced

1st stages come in two different types, balanced and unbalanced, or piston regulators. For most sport divers, an unbalanced or piston regulator will suffice. I did the first 150 dives on an unbalanced piston regulator that I still own. The regulator is very reliable, and the performance is adequate to the task, as long as you don't go below the recreational scuba diving limits, which for most certifying agencies is in the 40 meter range. When you are doing deep dives, then you will want to have a balanced regulator, as they compensate for the increased depth, and are much easier to breathe in all depths than a piston regulator. For the technical divers, they have their gear oxygen cleaned, so that they can use nitrox and other gases. If you are going to be diving in cold water, you run the risk of icing up the regulator, so they have special types of regulators that compensate for the icing, and if the person is ice diving, they will usually have a special set up with multiple regulators, and on off valves, to turn off and on the tanks with multiple regulators that offer several configurations to make the system redundant. Most times they will also have a pony bottle with a regulator, or a Spare Air, which is essentially a small tank with its own regulator built into the bottle. The advantage here is that they are totally independent from the main system. For cave and wreck penetration divers, you will also see very long hoses for when they literally get into tight spots, or need to swim long distances with a buddy in a low air situation.

Most times when people are referring to their "regs" or their "octos" they mean the 1st stage, primary 2nd stage, alternate 2nd stage, and usually the gauge information package, which usually has a submersible pressure gauge / air gauge and a depth gauge, and the low pressure inflator hose, and a 2nd inflator hose, if you are diving with dry suits. When you are shopping for regulators having all these parts is alittle confusing, some dive centers realizing this will sell you a package that includes everything together, this is allot of times a better way to go, as they will buy in bulk the pieces that will make a good set, and you get the benefit of their knowledge of what does the job, and get a good price as well. Many people will buy individually, whichcan be agood way to do it if you do allot of research,maybe you don't have the money to buy all at the same time, and wantto buy it over time, or maybe you want to save even more money and buy some used components, like the submersible pressure gauge,depth gauge or alternate 2nd stage.

For most beginners, the balanced regulator that I recommend would be either the Mares R2, or the Scuba Pro MK 2, both take allot of wear and tear, and are very easy and inexpensive to stay up with the servicing. You can also get them serviced in most parts of the world, a very important consideration for all dive gear. For balanced regulators, I recommend the Mares MR12, for a budget diver, a very good breather, and inexpensive to service, and you can work it hard and it keeps on delivering the air. If you set the MR12 up with a Mares Proton Metal 2nd stage, you will havedecent cold water capability as well. If you are looking at the regulators that are more up market, I really recommend that you go to Rodales.com, they are the consumer reports for scuba diving, and their recommendations are based on 2 different components, testers choice, or best buy, which lets you compare and analyze allot of different companies offerings on one website. Talk to your instructors and dive buddies as well; take your time and do a little home work, and you will be much happier with your decision for the long run.

I personally use a Mares MR 22, with an Abyss 2nd stage, with a Mares Proton alternate regulator. I have a 3 gauge Oceanic consol, with compass, submersible pressure gauge, and depth gauge as backup to my wrist computer which is a Suunto D9 air integrated computer.For my software I use Mares Volo Race fins with an X Vision knockoff.

Important Personal Gear For Scuba Diving

Scuba diving is one of the popular leisure sports around the world. The thrill of the sport is enjoyed by people belonging to different age groups and in different parts of the world. It is important to maintain safety at all times during your underwater dive. Hence, one requires quality personal dive equipment for scuba diving.

Personal dive gear is important for ensuring divers' safety underwater and also for their exposure protection. They help divers in underwater breathing, swimming, fighting depth-related issues and keeping away the underwater creatures.

Some of the important personal gear equipment for scuba diving includes the following:

Masks

It is one of the characteristic personal equipment required for a dive. Dive masks assist in a good view underwater and help in keeping water out of the eyes. A good view is the basic necessity for underwater dives. Masks are available in different styles and shapes. One can buy frame less masks, compact mask, high focus masks etc. The mask generally consists of a faceplate, and a strap enclosing the nose and the head.

Snorkels

It is an L-shaped or J-shaped snorkel used by snorkelers or shallow divers to breathe underwater using the rubber mouthpiece fitted at the lower end. The diver breathes fresh air from above the water surface with the use of the other open end of the snorkel.

Boots

These are special boots used for dives. Also known as diving boots, these help in providing good fitting at the lowest surface and also provides support during buoyancy and underwater.

Fins

Swim fin, fins or just flippers are important for swimming or moving in water. Whether the person is swimming or diving under the water, fins aid in their movement in water. They are used by scuba divers and sports persons for water sports such as swimming, surfing, knee boarding etc. They are made in the shape of real fins and provide the same assistance to divers and swimmers.

Gloves

Scuba diving gloves are special gloves that do not allow water to come in contact with the divers' hands. The gloves are of different types; namely, cotton gloves, wet gloves and dry gloves. In general, these gloves provide protection against water though they do not provide any thermal protection.

SCUBA or Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus; not included in the aforementioned equipment, is the most important and basic necessity for scuba diving. The sport derives its name from this underwater breathing apparatus that offers supply of oxygen to the divers during their underwater dives.

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling in Akumal, Mexico

When traveling to Akumal Mexico one nearly passes this small quiet village by without realizing that it is actually one of the Caribbean coast's best locations for diving and snorkeling on the Yucatan Peninsula. Akumal is located a mere 65 miles to the south of the Cancun resort area and 50 miles from the Mexican airport. It may be small but it is the ideal vacation get away for families or divers who wish to escape the daily rush of Mexico's often crowded beaches. Located in Akumal are two very tranquil bays as well as the Yalku Lagoon which is perfect for family swimming or snorkeling. The area boasts of 30 beautiful reef sites that are ideal for diving while the beautiful white sandy beaches invite one to enjoy the relaxing Mexican sun.

There is an abundance of accommodations in Akumal, five different restaurants which offer local and European Fare, several grocery stores, a few boutiques or gift shops plus an excellent Dive Shop. Most of these attractions are within a 15 minute walk of one and other. The best part of this small village is that should you be interested in snorkeling, diving, fishing or merely relaxing in the warm Mexican sun you will find you can walk to the various locations although buses and taxis are readily available should you desire them.

The temperatures in Akumal range around 80 degree during September to April and during the rest of the year you can expect 90 degree temperatures. The area receives a gentle sea breeze from the nearby Caribbean and during the winter season you may require a sweater in the evenings.

The local dive shop will setup your equipment and have it ready for your dive when you arrive at the dock. They have all the necessary diving equipment you will need at reasonable rental rates. You will be provided with an 80 cu. Ft aluminum tank which is filled to approximately 3000 psi. You will board one of the 28 foot open panga boats docked nearby. The dives are generally limited to eight people plus the dive master and the ships captain. Should you happen to be part of a larger group you can easily make special arrangements for all members to dive.

Most of the arranged dives are drift dives which take place over very stunning and colorful coral reefs. The typically currents are weak in this area and water temperature hover around 82 degree. The underwater visibility in the area can reach 50 feet up to 150 feet depending upon the weather. A light wet suit is recommended during the winter season.

Scuba Diving Knives

One of the most dangerous things a person can do is to scuba dive. So many things can go wrong if the diver is not well educated on safety protocol and regulations. That being said, it is also one of the funnest things a person can do. The scuba diving voyage can be fun if the diver is safe and has the essentials in case an emergency happens. One of the best pieces of equipment a diver can have are diving knives. The knives can be purchased at many outlets online and are very affordable. People can compare the prices and see which ones meet their specifications. These knives are great for so many reasons.

Diving knives can thwart off potential predators that may be lurking beneath the diver while they are under water. Whether it be a sword fish or a shark, these fish can be very dangerous and scuba diving knives can help protect the diver from a possible life threatening injury. One of the best and most durable knives to have are titanium dive knives. These knives are some of the strongest on the market, and they will last over the seasons. They will not rust once they are out of the water, which is great for those who want a quality knife.

Another benefit of these titanium dive knives is that they are very sharp. This is great because they can cut virtually anything that may be a hazard to a diver. A diver might get tangled in some seaweed or some rope, and having scuba diving knives can help get them out of these type of situations.

Having a knife while scuba diving can also help in case the diver is searching for an object that needs to be carved out of the ground. This can decrease the time they are under water, and decrease the amount of effort that is needed to get the object free. They can also carve out the objects with the knives even if the objects are in rocks.

Nothing is worse than needing something and not having it than having something and not needing it. These dive knives can get divers out of potential life threatening emergencies, and they are very affordable. Every diver should purchase them as part of their diving equipment. The knives can be put into concealed bags or the divers can buy holsters for them to be put on their waists.

At Prime Scuba, we live and breathe scuba. Our staff has many years of expertise under their belts to help answer any questions you may have in relation to scuba diving, snorkeling, free diving, etc. We carry a wide selection of scuba gear to choose from including: dive computers, scuba regulators, dive fins, dive lights, wetsuits, underwater cameras and scuba masks... you name it, we've got it!

Scuba Diving And Snorkeling On Holiday

Numerous people who enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling decide on their vacation destinations with their hobby in mind. Some of the top holiday destinations for scuba diving and snorkeling are the Caribbean, Mexico, the Mediterranean and Thailand. Most people like to go to view the aquatic wildlife, which means that the water has to be relatively clear.

Most divers like to search for marine animals and scenery, whilst others like to look for wrecks. As it happens fish and plants like to colonize wrecks as well because they provide protection from predators.

So diving wrecks provides excitement and the chance to observe wildlife. However, there is the added anticipation of treasure hunting.

If you fancy the concept of diving wrecks and looking for artefacts and treasure, you have to know that wrecks are perilous, because you can be caught on railings, trapped in cabins or even get your oxygen line cut by some sharp edge, causing you to come up too quickly, which could give you the bends.

Not just that, but it is often illegal to go treasure hunting on wrecks that are not in international water (that is, more than fifteen miles off shore) and that usually means deep water where there is little chance of you being rescued if you become a cropper. Diving wrecks without a guide is a very dangerous venture indeed.

However, most countries where scuba diving and snorkeling are well-liked holiday pastimes also have diving schools, schools and instructors on the beaches or associated with the better hotels.

For instance, in Thailand, there are literally hundreds of diving schools for holiday makers in Pattaya, Phuket, Hua Hin, Ko Samui and Pi-Pi. You can either approach one of these schools yourself or ask your hotel to suggest one.

Most of the diving clubs in these popular seaside resorts in Thailand are run from bars by ex-pats, but this does not mean that they are not entirely professional. Individuals like to dive in the warm sea in the morning and early afternoon and then retire to the bar to eat something and plan the next day's trip. Most of these bar-diving clubs either have their own boats or go halves with a boat with friends.

Membership is normally free or it may be a nominal amount in order to comply with local laws, but it is unlikely to be more than $10 for a fortnight. If you do not have your diving gear with you, you can usually rent it or if you have never been diving before, you can get your basic diver's certificate during your holiday.

Numerous divers use the diving trail to see southern Thailand. The destinations that I mentioned above are not too far apart. You could drive it in a hire car, travel in a bus over night from one to the other or fly from one resort to the next in 30-40 minutes. Car hire, VIP bus travel and internal flights are fairly cheap in Thailand.

Scuba Diving Equipment

Swimming with the fishes is not just an expression anymore. This is a reality that many people enjoy during a vacation or as a hobby. Some people have even turned scuba diving into a career that allows them to do what they love as their job, see the ocean's wonders, and have an incredibly unique occupation all in one. Scuba diving is also utilized by the armed forces as a way to stealthily do a scouting mission or sabotage an enemy's navy. However, that is not what more scuba divers aspire to be. Many of them just wish to swim with beautiful animals that cannot leave the water, search for sunken treasures that were lost long ago, or relax while lazily swimming in the warm waters of the ocean.

To scuba dive, one needs quite a few pieces of equipment to stay safe. Unlike the legendary Frogmen of ancient times, who sabotaged enemy ships while holding their breath for a torturous 4 minutes under water, scuba divers today have many options in their equipment to help lengthen their dives and stay safe at the same time. The Frogmen were not so lucky and many of them drowned while trying to complete their missions.

In order for the diver to swim quickly, they need fins on their feet to produce enough force within the water to move through it. Just like shoes, fins come in all shapes and sizes, so finding the correct fins for one's feet can be a challenge. A tip is to know what kind of diving you want to do because that will determine what kind of fin you need and what material it should be made from. For example, if you just want to swim quickly without a lot of changing direction through the water, the force fin would be the correct one to use. Any local scuba gear shop should be able to help you determine exactly what you need, if you are unsure.

The use of a wet or dry suit is also recommended, especially if one is diving close to things like coral or aggressive fish that can cut or harm a diver. These suits offer protection against water which could chill the blood and setoff hypothermia, risking the diver's life. They also offer protection against any injuries that could happen in the water, like bumping a rough coral rock and scraping oneself. The difference between the two suits is mainly temperature. If the temperature of the water is between 78 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the wet suit is the one to use. If the water temperature is at or below 72 degrees Fahrenheit, the dry suit is the one the diver will need to survive the chill of the water.

Other pieces of equipment that a diver will need are weights or a weighted belt system, which will keep the diver's body buoyant under water and allow him to swim better. There are some weight belts which allow the diver to control how much weight they have in the water by dropping some of the weight out of the belt. A diver will also need a mask so that they can see underwater and protect their face. An oxygen tank is a vital piece of equipment that the diver will need, unless they have gills. Oxygen tanks usually come in an 80 cubic foot tank, but the tanks can range anywhere from 65 to 100 feet of oxygen, depending on how long the dive is scheduled for.

Buying Scuba Diving Equipment - What To Buy First

So you have taken your course and done a bit more diving and want to invest in some scuba diving equipment, but where to start?

A common question I am asked by new scuba divers is, "What scuba diving equipment should I buy first?" It can be tempting to want to buy all the kit in one go but it is a big investment to make and if you are only going to be diving two weeks each year on your holiday it might not be the best use of your money.

I always advise people to wait a while before buying any equipment, in this way you have time to see how often they will be diving, where and when they will be diving. In that way they can be sure to be spending their money wisely.

Mask, fins, snorkel.

A mask, snorkel and fins are a great basic investment. They are relatively cheap, lightweight, easy to carry on trips and can also be used for snorkelling.

With a mask fit is important, find a local supplier or club and try a few different styles. Small faces, big noses, wide set eyes, everyone is different. To check for a good fit hold the mask up to the face and inhale through your nose, a mask that fits will stick to your face.

If you wear glasses you might consider a mask that can be supplied with prescription lenses, they often aren't much more expensive to have fitted and can save the trouble of contact lenses on the dive site.

Snorkels come in lots of styles too and it is down to your personal preference.

Fins, again lots of styles to choose from. The main consideration I would make would be full foot or strap fins. Full foot fins are great for warm water diving and boat diving however if you have strap fins with boots your feet will be warmer and you can walk more easily over different terrain.

When you start buying scuba diving equipment you will find that there are many different styles to choose from. It is important that you get good advice from your supplier and are not sold something that you do not need. Be wary of sales people that don´t listen to you or try to get you to buy only one particular brand. If you are a member of a club ask other members if you can try on kit to get a feel for things.

Buying scuba equipment online can be a great way to hunt out bargains especially if you don´t have a supplier close by. However where fit is important, say for masks, make sure they have a returns policy or you have tried the mask in a local shop first and know it fits before hunting for a bargain online.

Remember, whatever scuba equipment you are buying be sure that it fits you and suits your needs as well as your budget.

Finding Scuba Diving Equipment for Sale

While it's not difficult to locate scuba diving equipment for sale, the last thing you probably want to do is shop for it. This is because you are probably excited about going scuba diving and don't want to wait another second.  Fortunately, not much equipment is required to get started so you won't have to spend much time shopping. The following covers several different places that you can find scuba diving equipment for sale.

Divers Discount

If you are shopping for scuba diving equipment for sale, then this is one store that you will want to visit. Not only do they offer all the equipment that you can ask for, but they come at discount process so you won't have to break the bank to get what you're looking for.

Divers Discount is one of the better companies you will find in this industry because of the types of equipment, sizes, styles, and brands that are offered. The options are endless because they continually expand. All the equipment you need can be found here, regardless of how experienced you are or what place you want to dive at.

Because of their excellence in service and selection, Divers Discount has received several awards. Therefore, you can be certain that you are buying from a place you can trust.

Dive Sports

Another place to visit to find scuba diving equipment for sale is Dive Sports. They provide an a wonderful collection of scuba diving gear to take a look at. They offer a wide range of products, from masks, fins, wetsuits, lights, computers and gauges, bags, scooters, cylinders, cameras, and tons of accessories too. Regardless of what you need, chances are you can find it here.

The two stores mentioned above have websites that allow you to order the equipment without leaving your house. However, if you buy online, then you won't be able to see it up close and try it on beforehand. While this can make the process more difficult, the savings you will get from buying online will be worth it in the end.

Dive Equipment

The oceans and lakes of our planet contain some of the most fantastic and awe-inspiring creatures, plants and land formations. However, very few people ever actually get to see them. Surprisingly, funding for space-travel exceeds oceanic exploration, even though there are many underwater areas that have yet to be mapped.

Snorkeling is a fun recreational activity that provides limited underwater exploration (it also doesn't require certification.) However, it is impossible to explore the deep using only breath-holding methods. Scuba equipment, on the other hand, provides a diver with compressed air that enables deep diving-adventure opportunities!

With normal dive equipment, a diver breathes the compressed air through a mouth piece connected to the air tank on their back. Breathing out, the air goes out through a regulator into the water in the form of bubbles. While this is suitable for recreational diving, some divers do not want to their air-bubbles detected.

This is why military divers wear rebreathers. These advanced scuba devices allow a diver to breathe their own air over and over again.

Of course, due to the carbon dioxide a body exhales with each breath, rebreathing is not a simple process; these items must remove the hazardous gas. They do this through a canister of sodium hydroxide, which reacts with the carbon dioxide to form a solid calcium carbonate. Then, small tanks of pure oxygen replace what the diver has already consumed. Sometimes a mix of nitrogen-oxygen is injected back into the breathing cycle, which is just as safe as pure oxygen. Rebreathers also have built-in microprocessors that regulate the concentration of oxygen in the breathing cycle - too much oxygen can produce a state of euphoria that could impair a diver's judgment, which could be extremely dangerous at 100 ft below sea level!

These innovative pieces of dive equipment come in three types: closed circuit, semi-closed circuit and oxygen. Oxygen rebreathers only carry a canister of pure oxygen as the gas supply, but they are limited to depths that do not require intermittent decompression stops. The closed and semi-closed circuit versions utilize mixed gasses and allow divers to safely go to greater depths.

Besides their stealth-like qualities, rebreathers have several advantages over other dive equipment. For example, they have better gas efficiency. Standard tanks waste oxygen because we do not consume all the gas we inhale - rebreathers replace only the consumed oxygen. They are also lighter - conventional tanks mix oxygen with nitrogen (about 78 percent), which makes for a heavier gas. Rebreathers, on the other hand, don't utilize any nitrogen and are lighter with the same amount of oxygen. Nitrogen is also the major cause of decompression sickness (the bends), so without nitrogen, decompression is less complicated and divers can stay at depths longer than with conventional tanks.

Decompression sickness occurs when nitrogen is absorbed into the bloodstream. At those levels, the gas becomes constricted, but upon ascending, it expands - think of it like opening a can of carbonated soda. If a diver with excess nitrogen ascends to the surface too quickly, the nitrogen will expand. This causes extreme pain and, in some cases, even death. Proper education and decompression stops are required to prevent decompression sickness.

Scuba Diving - History and Evolution of Diving Equipment

Going into the sea and exploring what is beneath has interested people for many years to discover artifacts, repair ships and to look at marine life. The early divers faced the challenges of having to hold their breath while diving into the water which ultimately pushed people to invent and improve on diving equipment to stay underwater for longer and at increasing depths.

Divers realized that a device would be needed to breathe through that would also deal with water pressure. Hollow reeds were used at first but were found to be inefficient because divers could not dive deep. In the 16th century, people used diving bells that used air from the surface to supply with air underwater. The diving bell would keep air as it was pushed under water but this became inefficient and restrictive. At this point in history, leather diving suits were invented as the first diving suits along with metal helmets to fight against the water pressures and be able to dive deeper. Air would be pumped into the helmets manually. Over time, the idea of a helmet that supplied air from the surface was further developed and perfected to increase the length of time spent under water.

The first air pump that was connected to a hose which was connected to a diving barrel was introduced in the 18th century by John Smeaton, a British engineer. Sieur Freminet, a French scientist, invented a breathing device that used exhaled air from the barrel. The latter resulted in the death of the scientist due to a lack of oxygen and more research was need for better scuba diving equipment.

With other scientific and technological advancements, underwater exploration improved. During the 19th Century, research was conducted by French and Scottish researches, Paul Bert and John Scott Haldane who looked into water pressure and the limitations of the body under water. Their research presented information about the safe limits for compressed air diving.

Modern day scuba diving equipment evolved from dry suits and rebreathers and was further enhanced due to the world wars which created a demand for diving equipment development. This was when the mask was invented to allow the diver to exhale through the nose when faced with water pressure and to expel water as well. Due to water pressure, the dry suit also evolved into the wet suit made of new material that had buoyancy control.

The evolution of scuba diving equipment was a worldwide exploration with international efforts to perfect the diving gear. Scuba divers are now able to breathe longer and explore deeper areas of the sea to uncover new information and artifacts.

There are many websites and retailers in the world that can get any SCUBA equipment. Here at Discount Scuba Gear we offer discount prices on all aspects of SCUBA equipment.

Scuba Diving Equipment - Getting What You Need

Whether you want to buy discount or expensive scuba diving equipment, the most important factor is knowing which equipment is needed. Having a familiarity with the equipment you are going to be using is critical. This way, if any equipment happens to malfunction while underwater, you will not panic because you will know what has to be done.

The Basics

While a wide range of scuba equipment is available to select from, some pieces are more necessary than others that are a part of any diver's basic package. This equipment should be purchased first before anything else because you will need it each time you go diving.

The regulator one such piece of equipment that is as important as any. It's the hose that is connected to the oxygen tank valve and is how scuba divers are able to breathe while underwater. The hose functions by creating air pressure. What you will have in your mouth in order to get the air you need is the low pressure hose.

Before you go scuba diving, always double to check to ensure that your regulator is functioning the way it should. Also check it again after your dive.

Another essential piece of scuba equipment is the wetsuit. This of course gives you the ability to swim through the water more effectively. If you wore regular clothes while diving, not only would they make it more difficult to swim, but probably isn't very appropriate either. Choose your wetsuit carefully because it's another critical piece of scuba diving gear. Especially make sure that you get the correct size.

Wetsuits can be challenging to shop for. One one hand, they are designed to fit right up against your skin, but on the other you don't want it to be too tight. The last thing you want to be is uncomfortable while you are scuba diving. Talking to a scuba diving expert about finding the proper equipment will help you make sure that everything is just right the next time you go diving.

Scuba Diving for Beginners - Equipment Explained

You are reading this article, therefore you, like so many others, have become intrigued by the wonderful world of open water scuba diving.

The world of scuba diving can seem all too complex at the beginning. This is usually due to the diverse range of essential and none essential equipment available that make this hobby appear so daunting... never mind the fact that you will end up underwater!

For these reasons I have written this article to give you the equipment knowledge to confidently start those scuba lessons.

Ok, so lets talk about equipment;

Masks - The scuba diving mask allows your eyes to see clearly underwater. Scuba masks can start from as low as $20 and go up to $1000 dollars for ones with built in communication systems. As a beginner, a cheap one will be more than adequate.

Diving Exposure Suit - Protects from cuts and scrapes and retains heat so you stay comfortable. The diving exposure suits are essentially thicker wet suits to offer protection from the cold whilst underwater. Full exposure suits start off around $60 and can go up to a few hundred dollars depending on thickness and brand.

Snorkel - Lets you breathe at the surface with your face in the water without wasting air from your scuba unit. These are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased from as low as $15. For a few dollars more you can get sets that include the mask also.

Scuba Tanks - These are the heart of your equipment, scuba (the acronym for self contained underwater breathing apparatus) allows you to breathe underwater and to rise, descend, hover or float at will. It consists of a regulator, tank, buoyancy control device, harness and instruments. These individual items mentioned are available as sets or individually with prices varying depending on size of tank, brand, etc.

Diving Watches - These are simply watches used to measure the dive time. Many watches available from general stores can be used for this purpose providing they have the diving dial around the outer face and are, of course, water proof! These watches can start off anywhere form $50 and run into a few thousand dollars depending on depth of water resistance and brand.

Dive Computer - Monitors your depth and time underwater to keep you within established limits of air supply. Dive computers can come in the form of gauge looking instruments or more conveniently in a watch form. They usually start from around $150 and can go up to a few thousand depending on depth of resistance and brand.

Weight and belts system - Offsets your tendency to float so you can descend gently underwater when you want to. They normally consist of a belt designed to hold specially designed lead weights. Both belts and weights can be found from as low as $10.

Fins - Allow you to swim using only your powerful leg muscles. Fantastic to allow easy movement through the water, fins start off as low as $20 and can go up to a couple of hundred depending on design and brand. As a beginner, the cheaper ones are perfect.

Dive Lights - Used to look into cracks and crevices, and for diving at night. These can be in torch or spot light form depending on whether you will be holding it or it be attached to the bottom of a boat. These will start from around $25.

Dive Knife - A handy tool as well as an important safety device. These start at around $10. A good thing to have in case you get caught up in something.

Dive Flag/Float - Keeps boaters away from where you're diving and act as markers. Can be found from $15.

Underwater HD Camera - Used to take pictures and video of your adventures to share with your family and friends. The most popular one of these is the Go Pro Hero 2, a fantastic camera for images and recording of your deep see adventures. These are available from a couple of hundred dollars. It's a nice thing to have but not essential diving equipment.

Accessories - like underwater slates, lanyards and other items make diving more fun.

Signaling Devices - Whistle, signal tube get attention of other divers or the dive boat from a distance.

Scuba Gear Bag - Used to carry your dive equipment to the dive site... an obvious one really!

Now you know about the equipment available, start those scuba lessons!

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