Scuba diving is one of the most exciting hobbies in the world and the only way to really enjoy it is to dive with the best dive gear! The first time I walked into a scuba shop it was quite overwhelming. There are hundreds of equipment options and with the cost of good dive gear then you want to know which one is worth the investment. If you do not want to waste money on your new passion then you will want to read this article.
The first question you need to ask yourself is what your intentions are. Will you be diving in cold water or warm water? In colder water you will most likely be wearing thick neoprene gloves and you do not want to have to fumble to operate small buckles, loops, and snaps. If you will be diving in warm, tropical water than it is much easier to get a good BCD as most of the top brands are warm water BCDS.
Dive gear options that you definitely want to spring for is a weight-integrated BCD. Wearing those uncomfortable weight belts is super old school and is unnecessary. It is a much bigger deal in colder water because if you loose your weight belt then there is no way you will be able to control your accent. With integrated weights even if you loose one weight pouch then you still have about 2/3 of your weight left. This is safer and also easier to adjust buoyancy with this style.
If you happen to purchase the wrong size BCD then your experience underwater will greatly diminish. I have seen quite a few divers try to use dive gear they bought off of eBay or their dads old BCD from decades ago. Do not do this. Once you are underwater if the BCD is not comfortable and a snug fit then it would be like trying to run a marathon in Shaq's shoes. It is really important to be able to move around easy when you are learning to scuba dive.
Finding the right dive gear is easy if you go to a reputable dive shop. Most of the top companies will be found at the bigger retail outlets and if you stick to once company then you will find they should have a style that fits your needs. My favorite companies are Zeagle, Sherwood, Oceanic, and OMS if you're planning on being in the water often.
So after you read this article you should be able to start researching dive gear online for prices comparisons. I would highly recommend buying you equipment in person and not online. Most dive shops will match prices that you found online. Happy hunting!
The first question you need to ask yourself is what your intentions are. Will you be diving in cold water or warm water? In colder water you will most likely be wearing thick neoprene gloves and you do not want to have to fumble to operate small buckles, loops, and snaps. If you will be diving in warm, tropical water than it is much easier to get a good BCD as most of the top brands are warm water BCDS.
Dive gear options that you definitely want to spring for is a weight-integrated BCD. Wearing those uncomfortable weight belts is super old school and is unnecessary. It is a much bigger deal in colder water because if you loose your weight belt then there is no way you will be able to control your accent. With integrated weights even if you loose one weight pouch then you still have about 2/3 of your weight left. This is safer and also easier to adjust buoyancy with this style.
If you happen to purchase the wrong size BCD then your experience underwater will greatly diminish. I have seen quite a few divers try to use dive gear they bought off of eBay or their dads old BCD from decades ago. Do not do this. Once you are underwater if the BCD is not comfortable and a snug fit then it would be like trying to run a marathon in Shaq's shoes. It is really important to be able to move around easy when you are learning to scuba dive.
Finding the right dive gear is easy if you go to a reputable dive shop. Most of the top companies will be found at the bigger retail outlets and if you stick to once company then you will find they should have a style that fits your needs. My favorite companies are Zeagle, Sherwood, Oceanic, and OMS if you're planning on being in the water often.
So after you read this article you should be able to start researching dive gear online for prices comparisons. I would highly recommend buying you equipment in person and not online. Most dive shops will match prices that you found online. Happy hunting!
Dive Gear can be very expensive so consumers should be informed before making any purchases. Using dive gear without a certification and under direct supervision of an instructor could result in serious injury or death. Please consult a physician and dive professional before any attempt to scuba dive.
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