Discussion Board

Topic: Dive gear 101

Every new diver has to make some decisions regarding gear purchases. The cost to fully equip a new diver for warm water diving can easily exceed $2,000. For cold water diving in a dry suit, add another $1,500 or more.

Coral Reef Diving suggests that a new diver start with some basic personal equipment, while gradually accumulating high-quality gear according to their commitment and budget. We suggest the following priorities:

1.         Initial investment in personal gear

At the very least, a new diver should buy a high quality, well-fitting mask ($100-$130), open-foot vented fins ($150-$250), and a medium quality self-draining snorkel ($40-$60) for an initial investment of about $300-$450. Good vision and smooth, easy underwater propulsion will help to reduce any initial underwater discomfort, claustrophobia and over-exertion that a new diver will encounter. And an investment in quality gear means you won’t need to upgrade as you develop diving skills and experience.

Next, consider buying your own, close-fitting gloves, booties/reef shoes and hood to adequately protect  from heat loss and injuries at the body’s extremities. These combined will cost $150-$200.

2.            Instrumentation - regulator, gauges and computer

If you intend to dive in both cold water and warm water or while traveling, then consider acquiring your own instrumentation, including regulator, gauges and computer. The regulator supplies you with air, so if there is any single piece of equipment that you want always to keep in perfect working order, it’s your regulator!

Rental regulators might not be well maintained and may leak air, free-flow or exert significant breathing resistance. Besides, do you really want to be putting some oft-used mouthpiece between your lips? Rental dive instrumentation might not be well maintained, and of particular concern is the possible inaccuracy of the SPG, which might indicate more air in the tank than is actually there.

Dive computers have several different functions including a depth gauge, timer and logbook. The computer takes frequent environmental readings and is programmed to alert the diver when corrective actions are required. Any diver intending to experience more than a standard 60-foot, 40 minute “resort dive” ought to own a dive computer.

Total instrumentation cost: around $1,000.

3.            Exposure Protection

Tropical diving requires little more than a reef suit or thin wetsuit to provide protection from scratches and stings. But cold water diving requires serious protection from cold and hypothermia.

In BC waters, a full 7mm wetsuit provides many people with sufficient year-round in-water exposure protection.  But for about 8 months of the year, the problems can start when the diver gets out of the water and is unable to warm up thanks to the weather - cold air and rain. Even if the diver is able to take the wetsuit off between dives and regain body heat, nobody enjoys putting it back on for a second dive. A full 7mm wetsuit costs about $350-$500. Make sure it fits perfectly, even if you need to pay more for a custom fit.

Drysuits can be worn all year in BC waters, wearing lighter or heavier undergarments depending on the season. Reduced heat loss will extend the period of time that the diver can stay in the water. But the greatest benefit of a drysuit is feeling dry and warm between dives, all winter long.
Drysuits are made with different features, and can cost $1,000-$2,000. Most people already have all the undergarments they need to wear under the drysuit.

In our opinion, diving in a wetsuit in BC waters is like skiing in shorts and a t-shirt mid-winter.

4.         BCDs

The Buoyancy Control Device (BCD) is usually a sleeveless jacket that attaches to the scuba cylinder. Its’ main function is to adjust buoyancy both at the surface and underwater by means of a low pressure inflator/deflator connected by a hose to the regulator first stage. The BCD has several subordinate functions, with zippered pockets and attachment rings for accessories, sometimes including integrated-weight pockets.

The type of jacket and location of its air bladder affect the diver’s horizontal/vertical body positioning in the water, so be sure to discuss this feature with the dive shop to get the ride that’s most comfortable for you.

Ensure that the BCD has sufficient flotation for cold water diving, meaning that it will keep you positively buoyant at the surface when you are wearing heavy weights.

Some divers actively use drysuits for buoyancy control underwater, but it’s better to get a BCD that’s capable of keeping you afloat in a wetsuit.

BCD prices are in the range of $400-$800.

5.            Accessories

Every diver needs some basic accessories, including a tool box, silicon grease, drysuit wax, a knife, a main light and backup light, dive slate, first aid kit, spare straps, spare batteries, o-rings and other items for gear maintenance, repairs and dive enjoyment. A book on marine species identification is a handy reference. Clips and retractors attach your regulator hoses/instrumentation and accessories to the BCD and help to reduce drag.

Lights and knives can be pricey, but a very good dive light is highly recommended, to illuminate dark places and bring out the true, spectacular colours of the marine life.

Invest $300-$500 on your accessories.

6.            Cylinders and Weights

Cylinders and weights ought to be your lowest purchase priority. Most dive trip operators provide these free of charge when you sign up for a dive. Cylinders cost about $250 and lead weights are priced by the pound – usually $3-5 per pound, depending on the shape and configuration.

Mark Leichnitzmark@coralreeffilms.com