Scuba Diving Equipment

When buying scuba diving equipment, don't bargain hunt. Choose a reputable company that is known for providing the highest quality products. Most manufacturers offer a full range of equipment from masks to regulators. Below you'll find a list of good dive equipment manufacturers that are carried by dive shops.

Keeping your scuba diving equipment in good working order is vital to your health. Always rinse off your gear after a dive, and be sure to follow a maintenance program with regular servicing.

BC (Buoyancy Compensator)

A BC must fit correctly, function appropriately and as promoted, and have the appropriate amount of lift. The right amount of lift isn't exactly a science. You want to avoid either extreme, too much or too little. You need enough lift on the surface to float you with all your scuba diving gear, weight belts and a full tank. It must also have enough lift during the most extreme diving you'll do. This would include colder dives where you'll need a thicker and more buoyant wetsuit with more weight on your belt.

Manufacturers are beginning to make BCs for women, improving the fit. A Proper fitting BC is important to keep your tank and other equipment secure, unmoving and close to your body. If your scuba diving equipment is shifting around on your back it is more likely to get caught on objects underwater creating a dangerous situation. With women's BCs, ensuring they have the right amount of lift is very important. The following are some of the manufacturers that are designing women's BCs and the name of their women's model.

Forte, Sirene
Oceanic, Isla
Sea Quest, Diva QD
Sherwood, Luna
U.S. Divers, Elan

Wetsuits

You may want to get a wetsuit sooner than later. After 3 hours in the pool, even if the water is 80°, you'll be freezing. That's because water conducts heat faster than air. You're body temperature drops quicker in the water and you'll experience initial signs of hypothermia.

For warm water diving or diving in the tropics, a lightweight 3mm-neoprene wetsuit will work well. There is also a product called a Diveskin, which is much thinner and more flexible. It works as well for warm water dives.

Mask, Fins & Snorkel

For a mask to fit properly it must seal easily and completely on your face. If it doesn't seal correctly water will leak in while you're diving. The simple test is to lightly place the mask on your face without using the strap, inhale slightly through your nose. If the mask stays in place with the slight amount of suction, it is a good fit.

Dive fins are much larger than regular swim fins. This is because they are a divers means of propulsion. There are two styles of fins, full heel and a heel-strap fin. The full heel is usually used for warm water and doesn't require a dive boot. These are not widely used by divers. A heel-strap fin does require a dive boot. The dive boot keeps your feet insulated from the cold water and can protect your feet when walking around on the boat. When buying fins look for fit, stiffness of the blade and size.

Divers use a snorkel to conserve energy and air while on the surface. A snorkel should be easy to breathe from and have a comfortable mouse piece.

Regulator

A scuba regulator takes the pressured air from the tank and delivers it to the mouthpiece at the surrounding pressure. Using two stages, the high-pressure air from the tank is reduced to a breathable level. A pressure gauge or air level gauge, depth gauge, and a BC inflator hose are also attached to your regulator. The most important criteria a diver should look for in a regulator is ease of breathing.

Computers

Even though you've been certified, chances are that you've never had the opportunity to use a computer. You've just heard that "you must have one". Using the standard dive tables, your dive time is calculated on the lowest depth reached for your entire dive time. Even if you were only at that depth for 2 minutes. A dive computer will allow you more dive time by continually calculating your changing depths and the nitrogen absorbed at that depth.

Different computers use different mathematical models. These range from conservative to more liberal dive profiles. The more conservative your dive profile, the less likely you'll get decompression sickness.

Accessories

Scuba Equipment Manufacturers