SCUBA Diving Equipment List

For a seasoned diver or even a beginner, having the right equipment is the key to a successful SCUBA diving experience. Renting equipment is an option, but having your own is more convenient. Tanks and weights are available in dive shops around the world, so there's no need travel with those items. But a diver who participates in this activity more than twice a year should have his own mask, snorkel, fins, buoyancy compensator, diving suit, regulator and instruments.

  1. Diving Mask

    • A SCUBA diver needs a mask that fits well, does not leak, enables good vision underwater and protects her face. First, choose the right size mask (small, medium, large). To ensure a good fit, place the mask on your face and inhale to create a vacuum; if the mask stays in place, it's a good fit.

    Snorkel

    • A snorkel is used to preserve air in the SCUBA tank while swimming to dive locations or as a safety precaution when forced to float for extended periods of time. When getting a snorkel, consider the length of the tube, the inside diameter of the tube, and the size and material of the mouthpiece. The best way to find the right snorkel is to try several different designs and sizes.

    Fins

    • A good pair of fins helps control movement and allows effortless navigation in the water. A diver usually wears adjustable fins with booties; be sure to try on fins with the booties on. Fins can vary in weight, stiffness, buoyancy and length, depending on the design. Different blade designs provide different levels of drag, speed and thrust. A diver should choose fins based on these criteria: comfort; his skill and strength level; and type of diving.

    Buoyancy Compensator

    • A buoyancy compensator (BC) helps a diver control her buoyancy while underwater and acts as a safety flotation device while on the surface. A BC should fit comfortably around the shoulders and the waist. Pick a design that distributes the weight of the tank mostly on the hip area, rather than on the chest and shoulders. Make sure all buckles easily open and close, and that the BC has enough pockets to store all items needed during the dive.

    Diving Suit

    • Diving suits help keep a diver warm and protect his skin from cuts and scratches. Depending on water temperature, he can use either dive skins, wet suits or dry suits. Dive skins are about a half-millimeter thick and are used in warm tropical waters or under wet suits as an extra layer. Wet suits with short sleeves and legs are 2 to 3 millimeters thick and worn in waters warmer than 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Full-body wet suits are 3 to 7 millimeters thick and worn in waters warmer than 55 degrees Fahrenheit. A dry suit is needed for diving in waters cooler than 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

    Regulator

    • A regulator allows for breathing underwater by regulating air flow between the tank, the mouthpiece and other equipment. Select regulator based on the type of diving and the fit and smoothness of the mouthpiece.

    Instruments

    • The most common diving instruments include: a pressure gauge to measure pressure in your tank; a depth gauge showing the current depth and maximum depth reached; and a dive watch to measure time spent underwater. A diver can also use a compass to determine direction. A dive computer has all these instruments.