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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