Basic Kit

There’s no doubt that SCUBA diving equipment is expensive, as is expected for life-supporting equipment. Entering an environment we’re not perfectly suited for comes with its own set of issues.

Becoming certified doesn’t mean you have to buy all of your own gear. It comes down to how much time you spend in the water. If you’re a casual diver, it might be more prudent to rent. If you’re a hardcore diver, then dropping cash on rentals every other weekend adds up. No matter what kind of diver you are, there remains an important lesson: dive with equipment that feels comfortable! I am extremely fortunate to have my own gear, and while I am still completing my kit I feel like I can shed some light on how to go about choosing your gear.

If you do buy your own gear, it should last years with proper care and maintenance. Remember your life is on the line, so your gear should be in tip-top shape.

Absolute BASIC gear:

Upon taking a Basic certification course, you’ll most likely be required to buy the minimal gear, perfect for snorkeling and free diving!

Mask – There are tons of masks available. No matter how cool a mask looks, you should get fitted for one. Nothing sucks more than getting a mask in the mail, only to find it doesn’t actually fit your face. Human faces come in all shapes and sizes, which is why you should go to your local dive shop. Try on different masks until you find one that you like, fits your budget and makes you look like a million bucks. A well-fitting mask should remain on your face without the strap, after a small nasal inhalation to secure the seal. Your nose should fit comfortably in the pocket and be easily accessible for equalizing!

Snorkel – Snorkels are more forgiving than masks, they’re more of a one-size-fits-all. There are 2 main types: a J-tube and a dry-valve. A J-tube is a very basic snorkel and works well. A dry-valve snorkel prevents water from entering the snorkel whilst it is submerged, they may also have a purge valve, where water will be forced out. Take your pick, they come in so many colors.

Boots – Another item you should pick only after trying on. These come in different heights, thicknesses, with and without zippers. Thickness is usually dependent on your diving environment. Zippers allow water to enter the boot, so if you’ll be diving in cooler waters you might want to opt for zipper-less booties. Make sure to try on your fins with the boots, so you know that your boot fits in the fin.

Gloves – While not all diving requires gloves, they are a safer bet. Even if they are really thin, you can always benefit from the protection they offer. These are a MUST in colder water, after a few minutes your hands will become numb and a solid pair of gloves can really make a dive.

Fins – So many options and so many colors! Split or full blade? Purple or red? Full-foot or open-heel? The only thing that matters is how they fit you and how awesome you look in them. Open-heeled fins require boots, otherwise you’ll shred your feet. Bright colors make it easy for your dive buddy to know where you are.

Dive Bag – An essential for cutting down the trips from the car to your setup spot. There are rolling luggage bags, duffle mesh bags, etc. Choose one that is comfortable for you to carry and suits your SCUBA needs. Travel divers favor rolling luggage to make airport trips easier. Broke college students like myself, favor mesh bags with a large compartment. The only requirement for choosing a bag is to make sure all of your gear fits.

If you’re certified, chances are you own these.

While you can rent them, nothing sucks more than arriving at your destination only to find they’ve run out of your size.

The price for these items has quite a large range. Spend as much or as little as you want, but make sure you’re comfortable with the equipment you end up choosing.