Diving Equipment and Accessories

Diving equipment is more complex than some people thinkFor the most part, people think if you've got an adequate air supply and flippers on your feet, you're set for divingWrongI suppose this approach would work for the casual scuba enthusiast, but there's a lot more equipment needed for a proper dive than a tank and flippersIf you're going to get serious about diving, here are all the pieces of equipment you'll be needing, and why.

Tank or Rebreather - this is, obviously, the single most important piece of gear you'll be needing on a diveA tank provides you with a good supply of compressed air so you can breatheUnless you suddenly evolve gills, you'll need a good air supply for scubaRebreathers are small electronic devices that are more expensive then tanks, but they have the advantage of lightness and compactness over a regular tankRebreathers actually recycle the air used by a diver, reintroducing oxygen into it.

Masks - there are several different types of masks, and you can pretty much pick and choose from which type you wantGoggles are the smallest and simplest mask type to use, while others have integral snorkels for breathing in shallow waterAside from these simple eyegear affairs, there are also full face masks with integral communication gear that allows you to talk to other people while diving via a built in radio comm unitThese are the preferred types of masks to use for deep extended dives, as some models of full face masks also include low light vision lenses, and these are essential for traversing depths which aren't penetrated by sunlight.

Thermal Suit - diving gets COLDA full body suit is necessary for serious diving endeavoursThese rubberized suits are full body wrapping outfits that not only help with thermal insulation, they also help to avoid abrasions if the diver's skin encounters rough surfaces, especially coralGetting mugged by a jellyfish is also not a pleasant experience if all you're wearing underwater is your skinAnother note, the pressure applied by a wet suit can also prevent bleeding from small wounds incurred underwaterThis is essential for those who like swimming where sharks hang out, unless you enjoy being a snack for Jaws and his buddies.

Weighted Plates - contrary to the popular belief of those people who can't swim, people do NOT sink like rocks when thrown into the waterThe human body is naturally buoyant, and will float in water, especially salt waterTo this end, divers need to carry different sorts of weights to adjust their depth when they're diving.

Fins and Diving Motors - for propulsion underwater, you'll need either fins or, for those who want to conserve their energy, you can buy a Diver Propulsion Device, which is an electric motor driven device that you hold ontoIt is roughly the size of a large vacuum cleaner, and basically does the swimming for you.

Gauges - you'll need a compass for navigation underwater, along with underwater pressure gauges and an electronic depth measurer to make sure you don't go too deep and encounter pressures that may cause you decompression sickness.

Dive Markers - these are floating buoys that you need to set to let people on the surface know where you're divingThis is essential for safety in case you run into problems underwater, as well as providing a means for passing boats to know there's a diver in the area, which lessens the chances of bonking your head on a passing ship's hull when you surface.

Handheld sonar and Light - for navigation in extremely dark areas, as well as for diving at depths where sunlight from the surface no longer penetrates, having an underwater sonar and a portable electric light source is a must.

Underwater Buoys and Line Markers - aside from surface buoys for marking where you are for passing ships and boats, underwater dive buoys also help you to navigate underwater, marking territories which you may want to come back to later so you don't get lost, as well as letting other divers in the vicinity know that you're around.

First Aid Kit - diving equipment shops will offer specialized first aid kits for treating injuries that may happen underwaterHaving this kit with you is a must, as well as taking lessons in their use.

Miscellaneous Tools - having a knife, waterproof camera, lines of wire with electronic reels, a dry box for your wallet, phone, etc, and a gunny sack for holding things you nab from underwater is also something to rememberThese little knick knacks aren't really necessary for a successful dive, but they come in handy.