First 3 Dive Equipment Purchases For New Divers

Are you a new open water diver? Need advice on what dive equipment to buy first. Mark Evans helps you figure our what essential scuba gear you need, and what dive gear you can worry about later.

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First 3 Dive Equipment Purchases For New Divers
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[djknauss]

for my third pick i would either go with exposure protection or regulator before BCD. BCDs are mostly standardized and any jacket style you rent will feel the same

[Horrorbrezel]

For the dive computer secondly, if youre in a dive club, you can almost rent the same dive computer over and over again or even test out some divecomputers before you buy them (depending on the variety of them)

[johnjob]

Thanks for the tips. I am new and considering buying my own gear. My new top 3 are now mask, computer and wet suit (rental suits never fit well...the small is too small but medium is too large!)

[andinator]

Nr. 1 to buy: big and heavy camera for better buoyancy 🤣🤣

[Litehamer]

I’m new to diving, and so far have only dived in the Caribbean. Soon to start diving in the U.K. do you have a video re the best gear for U.K. diving ?

[SlayerVR.]

I’m buying this pair of goggles that are well made no fog or leaks and fits me well and I’m getting a wetsuit and a snorkel

[shuntao]

Mask always number 1, and I agree Dive Computer is number 2. #3 however I would determine based on what kind of #2 dive computer you purchased. If you have an Air Integrated Computer (AI). I would go Regulator next. If no AI, then BCD or Regulator is a good choice. NOW, Quality does not mean highest Price. Gear from Deep6 and HOG regulators are as good as Apeks, Dive Rite and Aqualungs, for a fraction of the cost. UPDATE FLASH.... DSMB Really should be purchased early too, they run from $20 to $75. Vital if you are an Ocean Diver.

[gregfrederick]

Please tell me how you keep your mask from leaking around your moustache. I've tried trimming really short. I've tried Vaseline. So far, I have not found anything that works to stop the leakage. Thanks for any suggestions.

[hendrie]

How do you choose the best mask for you. Every mask I've had keeps getting water in.

[terrytt]

Apart from the Mask I disagree completely with your 1st 3 items!

Before you can do ANYTHING you need Mask, Fins, Snorkel; then you can go on to the higher tech gear, of which you need to learn how to use and maintain, before you start slapping a regulator on a Dive Cylinder!

I've been diving on & off since 1977 and logged over 1000 dives, diving in many countries and without Mask, Fins, Snorkel, you aren't going scuba diving, or even snorkelling!

I've also been Diving & Training Officer and Equipment (and Air) Officer at 3 clubs in different parts of the world!

As for a Dive Computer; imo you MUST be able to work your dive out without using a Dive computer! Its OK to have and use, but you need & will learn your Dive Tables as you progress. If for reasons unknown your computer fails you need the knowledge to know what to do if this happens! Your Dive Buddy may not have a Computer!

Something taught to me many years ago is the rule of 6Ps: and "Plan the Dive, Dive the Plan!

My list, the first 4 in order is:

Mask
Fins
Snorkel
Wet/Dry Suit
Weight Belt/weights
Torch
Knife
BCD/STAB jacket
Regulator/Demand Valve
Depth Guage
Contents Guage
Compass
Watch
Dive Computer
Grot Bag - for retrieving Plastics in the water where you dive!

Some items like depth guage, compass, can be in one console coming off your regulator; these can be purchased or you can make one up yourself if you have the skills.

Some items should be purchased together.

No doubt some will disagree with my list, which is fine

My advice to a New Novice Diver is, take someone with you who knows what they're talking about. Diving equipment isn't cheap so you can do without expensive mistakes.

As you progress with your training learn to dive both with & without the dive computer, after all they're made by humans who have been known for "human error" mistakes.

I've not dived for quite a few years due to injury; not done whilst diving, so many items are much improved since I was last in " Davy Jones Locker"! I miss "Going for a Bubble" terribly.

Diving is one of the best Adventure Sports you can do, alongside Mountaineering and Parachuting out of a Perfectly Serviceable Aircraft! It's pretty safe as long as we're trained correctly and observe the safety rules!

Have a nice day and stay safe.🛥⚓🏊