Following my post on the worst possible scuba diving mistakes you can make and how you can fix them, I thought of putting together an article where I can list down essentials and must-haves before embarking on a scuba diving trip. I’d like to think that this is especially useful to first-time divers.
I can clearly remember my first ever dive trip. We just planned on scuba diving in Cebu, at this great dive spot called Santa Rose, located on the western shores of Olango Island (across Mactan Island). Everything I had on was rented (including an ill-fitting wetsuit) or borrowed (from a good friend) and I remember looking at the few other experienced divers and all their accessories. I felt kind of “naked” however my buddy assured me I had everything I needed and I was going to be just fine. It was a memorable first dive trip, by the way. Santa Rosa is in close proximity to Talima, another awesome dive spot in Cebu and spectacular marine life.
Anyway, as I fell in love with the sport of diving, I understood that I had to invest in my own gear and made sure I had a “standard” dive kit as I soon learned that it is the greatest factor in a safe and enjoyable dive.
Let me just say though that I am, by no means, an expert yet and this list is just some of the very basic must-haves:
Diving Masks
Your diving mask is a very personal piece of diving equipment and it is also the window to the underwater world. It allows you to explore discover marine life and of course, allows you to carefully see what’s around you so you can avoid possible danger. So I can’t stress out enough that it’s very important to have a diving mask that fits you well and gives you the best view possible.
When purchasing your first diving mask, it must also be comfortable. Trying on the mask that you’ve chosen is the only way to ensure that it fits you perfectly. If possible, try attaching a snorkel to the mask and putting the mouthpiece in; this should not change the comfort and fit of the mask. Putting a scuba regulator is also a good way to test for comfort and feel. Another important tip is look around in every direction to check for possible blind spots.
You can always look online for good diving masks but with the myriad of choices out there, I suggest you go to your dive center so you can ask all your questions to the experienced staff.
Regulator
Breathing underwater is made possible with the regulator. Basically, the regulator delivers air to you from your scuba tank so you can breathe just the way to need it. Needless to say, you should purchase a top quality regulator with all the standard features as well as other additional features that might suit your diving preferences. The regulator is also like a central hub that connects many pieces of important gear: your scuba tank to your BCD (Buoyancy Compensation Device), SPG (Submersible Pressure Gauge), alternate air source and of course, you. I can write a full article on just the regulator and its importance alone so I won’t get into full detail here.
Just let me leave you with a few tips on how you should choose your regulator:
- Research: are the DIN or Yoke connections most common for the tanks in your area? Check that out first and find a regulator with the same connection.
- To make sure there are enough ports on the first stage in the correct configuration (attaches to the scuba tank valve, reduces tank air pressure to an intermediate pressure and routes it to several hoses), you must evaluate all the items of your regulator package meticulously.
- If possible, attach the regulator to a tank and test how it breathes as well as check the fit of the mouthpiece.
- Try on a more than a few regulators, pick the best one based on what works for you.
BCD (Buoyancy Compensation Device)
How do divers float underwater? Well, it’s all made possible through that bulky-looking vest with lots of thingamajigs which is really called the Buoyancy Compensation Device or to make it shorter, the BCD. It allows you to hover underwater, seemingly weightless and makes it possible for you to go eye to eye with underwater marine life.
The BCD also allows you to float on the surface comfortably or as needed, kneel or stand on the bottom. So it does exactly as it says – which is to give you control while you are underwater.
To properly choose a BCD, think about where you’ll use it the most and sure it fits you comfortably. Go to your nearest dive center and try on more than a few BCD’s based on your personal preferences. Never sacrifice the comfort or quality for a low price. A BCD is a piece of dive gear that’s an investment and can last years if chosen properly and maintained well.
Weight Belt
Diving won’t be complete without a scuba weight system as this allows you to descent underwater and not just float on the surface.
Choosing the right weight system really depends on your BCD. If you have a weight-integrated BCD then that should work as your weight system. All you need is the right weight increments and amount. For non-weight integrated BCD’s, then that’s the time you need to get busy. Check out your dive center and confer with a dive professional for the right weight belt based on your preferences.
Diving Fins
Before I dived, I thought fins were all the same. Turns out there are fins for snorkeling, free diving and even body surfing. I had a tough time purchasing my own first pair of scuba diving fins as I had to determine where I would scuba dive the most – turns out this is very essential information because if you’re diving in mostly tropical locations, off a boat then full-foot fins are recommended while in any other locations, open heel adjustable fins are recommended.
It’s best to consult with the expert staff at your dive center and of course, try on a few fins before deciding on the best one. As with all your diving essentials, comfort and fit are of utmost importance.
SPG (Submersible Pressure Gauges)
The SPG basically tells you one very important thing: how much air is left in your tank. This is a highly essential piece of equipment as it allows you to end your dive at the right time before you get too low. An SPG can be one of two things: a mechanical gauge connected by a hose that reads the pressure in bar (metric) or psi (imperial, pounds per square inch) in your tank or it may be built in to your dive computer (we’ll get to this next).
It is only common sense to choose an SPG when you purchase your regulator or you may want to purchase it as part of a complete scuba package. You can ask a dive professional to attach to your regulator to ensure that it’s done properly.
Dive Computers
Divers simply have dive computers as it tells you dive information in real-time which you need to dive well and safely. Your dive computer displays the following information:
- depth and time information and applies it to a decompression model to track the dissolved nitrogen in your body during a dive
- continuously tells you how much dive time you safely have remaining
- combines a depth gauge, timer and sometimes a submersible pressure gauge (SPG) into a single, useful instrument
Dive Lights/Torches
Scuba diving lights are not only best during night dives but also great for day time as it allows you to peer into cracks, look inside wrecks, under ledges, light up dark caverns and crevices where the shy creatures hide.
Some brands of dive lights have special features, while others only have basic features. Some come with lanyards or multiple power modes. See which one works best for your diving preferences.
As for me, I’m planning on heading to the Liloan Ferry Wreck sometime in the next month or so to experience wreck diving in Cebu for the first time. Wish me luck and stay tuned as I will write about this new experience very soon.
There you have it, hopefully this is indeed useful. Now go get those gears and have a safe and happy dive trip ahead!
You think there is anything I missed? If ever there are, please let me know in the comment section below. Happy scuba diving!
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