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What To Look For
To go scuba diving without having to rent a kit all the time, you will need to assemble a regulator with octopus, wetsuit, fins, dive mask and buoyancy control device (BCD). Even many serious recreational divers don't bother with owning their own air cylinders and weight belts, especially if they need to travel to their dive sites. Dive computers and snorkels are the most important accessories. When it comes to quality, do not be cheap on the regulator and octopus. Your life depends on that bit of gear working properly.
Common Pitfalls
A common mistake for new scuba divers assembling their first kit is not planning for the future. If you have any interest in technical diving, you should be buying your regulator, dive computer and underwater camera with an eye on eventually going deep and cold. Scuba diving gear is expensive, but well-maintained, good gear can last for many years. It would be foolish to have to replace a working regulator after a few years just because you take up technical diving and the regulator isn't reliable below 130 feet.
Where To Buy
Dive masks should be tried out in person. With the other items, it pays to shop for bargains online. A set of first-rate equipment can cost well over $1,000 as of September 2009, so saving a little money here and there on each item can add up. Also, some online retailers offer discount packages of middling-to-good quality gear of 30% to 50% below the list price.
Cost
A good scuba mask will cost from $70 to $110. Wetsuits will vary with the thickness and manufacturer; a 2 mm shorty is about $60, while an XS 7-mm one-piece wetsuit is about $250. Regulators can cost $150 for a merely average unit to $900 for the Mares Abyss 22.
Article Written By Edwin Thomas
Edwin Thomas has been writing since 1997. His work has appeared in various online publications, including The Black Table, Proboxing-Fans and others. A travel blogger, editor and writer, Thomas has traveled from Argentina to Vietnam in pursuit of stories. He holds a Master of Arts in international affairs from American University.
