Scuba diving is an amazing way for people to explore the hidden beauty of the ocean. However, it does require a good deal of equipment. This might be a little intimidating, especially if you are a beginner. Lucky for you, we have compiled a list of the basic equipment you will need for any scuba diving experience.
1. Diving Mask
You are probably already aware of this, but human sight is pretty terrible underwater, particularly salt water. This means that you are going to want to get yourself a diving mask for any venture out into the water. After all, what is the point of going diving if you aren’t able to take in any of the beautiful ocean scenery? A good quality mask can really make a difference in your diving experience. With a bad mask, you will be constantly struggling to get rid of water that manages to find its way inside or will be dealing with the inside getting all cloudy and fogged up. Getting a mask that properly fits you will ensure that you are comfortable on your dive.
2. Fins
Fins are another important part of your diving gear that can help give you control over your movement underwater. They will allow you to propel yourself through the water with a good amount of speed and agility. There are two types of scuba fins that are available on the market; open-heel and full-foot fins. An open-heel fin will come with some adjustability so that you can manually adjust the fin to fit your foot. A full-foot fin doesn’t have the same degree of adjustability, so you will have to make sure that you have got the sizing perfect if you are going for this type of diving fin. Within those two categories, you will also have to choose whether you want a split fin or a paddle fin. This will depend on the type of kick you are more comfortable with, as well as the environment in which you will be diving. This might require a little more research, so make sure you take the time to figure out which type of fin suits your exact requirements.
3. Scuba Tank
A scuba tank or diving cylinder is a component of your breathing apparatus, allowing you to store and transport large volumes of compressed air or specialised gas mixtures. These are commonly made of either steel or aluminium.
4. Regulator
A regulator makes it possible for you to breathe the air coming from your tank, converting the high-pressure air from inside the tank into ambient pressure. The first stage of a regulator connects to the tank or diving cylinder, and the second stage connects to your mouth. When you choose a regulator, you are going to want to pick one that gives you the highest levels of comfort and performance.
5. Drysuit or wetsuit
A drysuit or wetsuit is an essential piece of diving equipment that will help protect your skin and keep you warm. It is usually made of a form of rubber, which adds padding by locking in a thin layer of water inside the suit. If the water is colder, you are going to want to get a wetsuit or drysuit that is a little thicker.
6. Guages
You are going to want to get a depth gauge, a submersible pressure gauge (SPG) and a compass. A depth gauge can record the current and maximum depth reached during a dive. An SPG will display the amount of gas remaining in your cylinder, allowing you to monitor your gas supply during the dive. Finally, the compass will ensure proper dive navigation, especially when there is low visibility. You can get these gauges separately in both analogue and digital forms, or you can get a 3-gauge console which combines all three.
7. Buoyancy Control Device
The buoyancy control device is something that keeps you from floating up to the surface or sinking to the bottom of the sea. It essentially is a vest or jacket that you wear during your dive to help you manage your buoyancy. You can add air into the BCD’s internal bladder if you want to rise, or release a certain amount if you want to sink deeper. Some BCDs also have pockets and straps that help you secure all your essential diving gear.
8. Dive Computer
A dive computer can help you measure how long you have been under the water, how deep you are, and how long you can stay at the depth you are in.
9. Snorkel
This can be an important piece of safety gear, particularly if you are less experienced at diving. It can be useful during instances when you don’t want to waste air from your tank.
10. Dive Knives
While this piece of equipment isn’t really ‘essential’ dive knives are very useful to take on dives. They can come in handy if you or a fellow diver manage to get entangled in fishing lines or underwater plants. They can also be used to tap on tanks to quickly get the attention of a fellow diver.
Find The Best Dive Equipment and Dive Gear Rental Services
If you are looking for diving equipment or diving equipment rental, look no further than Waikiki Dive Centre. They have everything when it comes to equipment for scuba diving, snorkelling and most other watersports. They also have the best dive gear rental services for whatever equipment you require for your dives. With consistent maintenance and servicing schedules for all their equipment, they guarantee high-quality dive gear for rent. They are a complete scuba dive equipment store, so no matter whether you are looking to buy your first diving equipment, dive gear rental or even dive gear maintenance and servicing, you can go straight to Waikiki Dive Centre for any and all of your diving needs.
Contact Waikiki Dive Centre now to find out more about how they can help you on your next dive!