| It can be an exciting or terrifying experience - buying | | | | and multiple gas computers for tech divers. Get your |
| your first scubadiving gear. When you first walk into | | | | dive instruments in a console for easy reference. |
| the Aladdin's cave just groaning with the latest dive | | | | For regulators BCDs and instruments, check the |
| technology, your question is likely to be "Where do I | | | | warrantee. If you intend to travel, it should be |
| possibly start?" The answer is quite simple. Choose | | | | worldwide. Some offer lifetime warrantees for parts. |
| your dive centre very carefully - then, if you enjoyed | | | | Beware buying product over the Internet, as there |
| your scubadiving course, trust them to outfit you with | | | | may be no warrantee. In many countries, scuba |
| the best dive gear for your type of diving. | | | | dealers will not honour internet warrantees, as the |
| When you select your dive centre start by establishing | | | | product was not bought through a licenced dealer and |
| the credentials of it. Generally, the more status the dive | | | | ownership is hard to authenticate. |
| centre has, the more it has been audited for quality | | | | You will want to stay warm and may only need a |
| and customer service. If possible, choose a PADI 5 | | | | shorty wetsuit in the tropics. As you move further |
| Star Career Development Centre. Failing that, try a | | | | away from the equator, you might need a full length |
| PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre and so on | | | | 5mm or 7mm wetsuit or even a drysuit. Try to buy the |
| down the retail status list. Other training agencies have | | | | best you can afford as you will not enjoy even the |
| similar ratings. Word of mouth is another very strong | | | | most spectacular dive if you are trying to stay warm. |
| indicator as most people tell others about a bad | | | | Night diving is fantastic - only if you are warm. Comfort |
| experience. | | | | and fit are critical. |
| After you have completed your course, unless you | | | | When you select your dive mask try every one on |
| are totally focused and do it beforehand, you will want | | | | display. Ssniff in hard and listen for air leaks to ensure |
| to buy your our scubadiving gear. There are literally | | | | an exact fit. Additionally, press the mask in over your |
| thousands of different dive items on the market and | | | | nose and brow to ensure there is no contact. Some |
| each scuba retailer offers a selective few brands. | | | | mask lenses can be changed for prescription lenses. If |
| Normally these equipment lines are complementary so | | | | you wear glasses ask your scuba dealer which ones |
| that the dive centre should be able to satisfy novice or | | | | will take prescription lenses. Identify the dive masks |
| experienced recreational divers through to highly | | | | that fit then try those few again. When you get to |
| experienced technical divers. If you are about to buy | | | | thebest two, choose the cheaper one. If your mask |
| your own scuba gear take time to read our advice. | | | | does not fit well, you will not enjoy your scuba diving. |
| Probably the most critical dive equipment is the | | | | Resist the temptation to buy a cheap snorkel. You |
| regulator and buoyancy control device BCD) | | | | need a good one so you can breathe on the surface |
| combination. The regulator should be selected on | | | | face down. Accept the dive centre retailer's advice. |
| performance and reliability, that is ease of breathing at | | | | Fins are your propellers. Get fins that fit your feet |
| the depths you intend to dive to. Do a careful | | | | properly, without placing pressure on your toes or the |
| pricecomparison if your budget is critical. Your scuba | | | | bridge of your foot. Always wear your own dive |
| dive centre retailer will guide you here. | | | | booties when trying on fins. Split fin technology is |
| A BCD must be comfortable but most importantly it | | | | state-of-the-art now and worth every cent. |
| must be able to lift your face clear of the water at the | | | | Try for a soft or medium flex fin. If you want to be a |
| surface. The inflator mechanism must be easy and | | | | technical diver, select firmer split fins. Get spring straps |
| fast to operate. Check the lift of a BCD before you | | | | if your retailer has them. |
| start loading the integrated weight system up with lead | | | | You will need weight unless you are negatively |
| weight. While it may lift you wearing a wetsuit, it may | | | | buoyant at the surface. When you purchase your |
| be overloaded once you take it off to pass it (with any | | | | BCD, consider one that allows you to carry weight in |
| integrated weight & cylinder) into the boat. Recreational | | | | the BCD weight pockets rather than around your |
| BCDs are not designed for technical diving and should | | | | waist. Many women do get minor bruising on the hips |
| not be used forthat purpose. | | | | through wearing heavy weight belts. With a drysuit you |
| You will need to consider your instruments as well. | | | | will generally need more weight than you would with a |
| Whatever your financial position you will need a | | | | wetsuit. Contoured weights are preferable to slab |
| submersible pressure gauge (SPG) and compass. It | | | | weights. |
| may be cheaper to purchase a dive computer rather | | | | You are now set to have fantastic scubadiving |
| than a depth gauge and timer / underwater watch. | | | | adventures. Enjoy the freedom of gliding in the ocean |
| Dive computers show dive and surface interval details | | | | current along coral encrusted walls, through |
| as well as guiding your ascent speed. | | | | underwater canyons, exploringtimeless shipwrecks or |
| Some give integrated information on nitrogen | | | | absorbing the stillness and tranquillity of a freshwater |
| absorption and gas consumption. With a computer it is | | | | lake. Wherever you are, you will enjoy your scuba |
| easy to retrieve dive information so you can log your | | | | diving if you are confidant that you have chosen your |
| dive.There are also Nitrox computers for sport divers | | | | scubadiving gear wisely. |