Scuba Dive Gear 101

Self-contained underwater breathing apparatus is the meaning of SCUBA. The full gear keeps you alive underwater. Yesterday I wrote why you should learn to scuba dive, and when you already made up your mind, I have here an overview of the first thing you need to know - scuba dive gear. This is also what is going to be explained in detail during your open-water class.

The best moment of your journey to scuba diving is when you come face-to-face with the scuba dive gear for the first time. It can be overwhelming at first, that's why you need to undergo the course in order to be certified to dive. Mastering each equipment will keep you safe underwater and save your life.

Scuba diving is an intensive sport, imagine breathing, staying warm, swimming, controlling your buoyancy, looking after yourself, looking after your dive buddy, checking your air and appreciating the beauty that surrounds you. In order to unlock another world, you need to understand each piece of gear and how they all work together.

If you are traveling around the world to scuba dive, you might want to invest in some gear. Although personally, I prefer to rent the BCD, wetsuit, and regulator. It can be too much to carry all this equipment if you are traveling for a long time. I even had to let go of my mask and fins at some point. But perhaps someday, I will have it all.

You will have a chance to assemble your gear during the course, it can be confusing at first but it's pretty easy. So here's a guide to the essential equipment you need in order to explore the underwater world.

Dive Mask and Snorkel

It is very important to select a good mask with a good seal so water won't come in. I am willing to invest in a better mask because this is what makes me see clearly underwater and equalize the pressure on my ears. I should be comfortable with it. Personally, I prefer to have my own mask and snorkel. During the open-water course, you will be taught how to remove the water in your mask while underwater. You will also be trained to remove it and put it back. It can be intimidating to do that but you need to master this in order to survive an emergency situation. What if your mask got accidentally removed, you need to be able to wear it again and clear. Some people die not because of the mask but because of panic.

Regulator

This is connected to your air tank in order to breathe underwater. There are so many things in it that I am not going to discuss because this will be explained in detail during the open-water course. I also prefer to use the same regulator if possible, or anything I'm comfortable using. Remember, what's the point of scuba diving if you are not comfortable.

The octopus or the yellow one is the backup regulator, very useful if your dive buddy runs out of air, so be a friend and share. Both regulators are coming from the right side. In case you lose your regulator, by accident or if someone is trying to be funny during a deep dive, you should be able to recover and put it back to your mouth, purge and breathe normally. Trust me, it will save you.

The SPG or the submersible pressure gauge tells you how much air is left in your tank. Apparently, it is very important to know that while you are scuba diving.

Dive Fins

My instructor used to say that scuba diving is a lazy sport. In order to save some air and have more bottom time, relax and swim slowly. Good fins let you kick once and propel you through the water. It is not a swimming competition. The more relaxed you are the better. When I was new, I used to kick a lot and my fins were going everywhere harming the corals. A no-no, sign of a noob. As you dive more, you would be able to master how to minimize kicking and still move underwater. The only competition I had to go through with friends was, who consumed less air or who was more relaxed underwater.

BCD

This is the buoyancy control device, it fits like a jacket or backpack. It supports your tank and helps you control your position in the water. By adding more air into it, it will make you float and rise toward the surface. Removing the air lets you sink, which is what you want. You will be trained during the course how to control your buoyancy. Mastering it will let you move around underwater and also not let yourself shoot up the surface, (that can be dangerous, never attempt it). It can be overwhelming too as it has so many attachments, and different brands can look a bit different. You should also be able to learn how to quickly release the buckles and straps.

Wetsuit

This provides proper insulation against the cooling effect underwater. What you are going to wear depends on the water temperature. I have tried scuba diving in both warm and cold water so I have tried different thickness of wetsuits. It should snug all over but not too tight that you won't be able to move or breath. Don't forget the rule, don't pee in your wetsuit!

Scuba Tank

This is your life, and being able to carry your air supply is what defines SCUBA. You will be able to monitor how much air you still have left through SPG. A tank contains compressed air and not pure oxygen, so don't refer to it as an oxygen tank. Pure oxygen underwater can kill you. It can only contain regular filtered air, or both oxygen and enriched air nitrox.

During the open-water course, you will be able to learn how to attach your BCD to your tank then connect your regulator. Before entering the water, don't forget to turn the valve fully open so you will be able to breathe. You should also be able to do it in the water too, just in case someone is being funny again.

Weight Belt

Let's face it, some people just float easily and some people don't. The idea is not to stay on the surface right, so you need a weight system. The belt has lead weights, depending on how much you need. At the beginning, I needed a lot, and then if I haven't dived in a long time, it could also change. Maybe I got fat, ouch! Having a proper weight distribution lets you control your buoyancy. One thing I really hate is not being able to descend easily, so I bring lots of weights or do a buoyancy check before a dive. During an emergency situation, you should be able to release the weights easily and not having to fumble, looking for the release.

Dive Compass

This is a waterproof compass used by divers to navigate underwater. You will know the direction by rotating, there's a magnetized needle that always points toward magnetic north. Underwater navigation will also be taught during the course, the skill will come in handy if you are lost, hopefully not. You will be able to swim to the direction of the boat underwater, it takes a good skill to be able to easily surface back to the boat (dive master's training).

Dive Computer

Last but not the least is the dive computer. This one can be pretty expensive, and it is my dream to have this, at least before I die. I will look swanky with this Suunto right here, so now you know what to give me on my birthday!

You can track your dives with a dive table, depth gauge and watch, but the pros these days use a dive computer, it's easier. It provides real-time information you need underwater. Like the current depth, time and the dissolved nitrogen in your body - you also need to know this. It helps prevent decompression sickness. The dive computer gives you the depth, ascent rate, no stop time remaining, time and emergency decompression. It will also let you boast your deepest dive so far. It is so useful and it is part of safety practice to have a dive computer every dive.

This is me when I'm decorated. Follow me and my upcoming scuba adventures!

---

Img Src 1,2,3,4,5,6