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Properly fitting mask
Means of monitoring air and depth and elapsed time. Which could be as simple as a console with SPG and Depth Gauge and a watch or as complex as an integrated air "Dive Computer".
Means of monitoring air and depth and elapsed time. Which could be as simple as a console with SPG and Depth Gauge and a watch or as complex as an integrated air "Dive Computer".
KiLLAH-WHALE
Registered
depends, when i was just diving on vacation i started with renting everything. then i bought a well fitting mask from my local dive shop and a computer. a rashguard to wear under rented wetsuits. i was gonna buy a hood and maybe another layer to bring with me as i get cold easily and the tropical destinations mostly had shorties. i didn’t see any need owning much else when just diving on vacation a couple of times a year, seemed like more of a hassle to lug around more stuff.
now that i’m diving locally, well, you kinda have to own everything, but i don’t own tanks (yet)
now that i’m diving locally, well, you kinda have to own everything, but i don’t own tanks (yet)
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If you plan like once yearly dive trips I would probably rent it all-- except the mask- you want something that fits perfectly. If diving regularly locally or in combination with trips I would buy everything. I bought most of my stuff used when I was taking OW course and still use some of it 20 years later (the reg for one).
Mask.
SMB or PLB for any sort of open ocean environment.
SMB or PLB for any sort of open ocean environment.
Reefy
Registered
A mask that fits you well, a means of monitoring depth and time, SMB for ocean/boat diving, and while you can get away with rentals I'd suggest a purchasing your own decent pair of fins and booties if you plan to dive even semi-regularly.
DreadnoughtNH
Contributor
My personal order (specifically for travel divers to warm-water locales):
1- Mask (spend time on this; it should be so comfortable and effortless that it is invisible).
2- Boots/booties and Fins that fit over them comfortably.
3- Wetsuit/exposure suit that FITS and is comfortable for you in the temperatures you will be diving most often (expect to be donning and doffing a lot of ill-fitting suits....).
4- Dive computer (a basic inexpensive one, non-AI) and learn how to use it.
At this point in the scuba journey, purchase nothing further until the diver logs at least 100 dives. By this experience milestone, they should have both a) strong preferences in what they want in the remaining equipment, and b) recognition that a lot of the remaining gear is jaw-droppingly expensive new, and that the gently used market is - generally - the way to go.
5- regulator set (1st stage, primary air source, octopus/octo-inflator, inflator, SPG (yes, get an SPG even if your computer is AI)
6- AI dive computer (sell the original one, or keep it as a backup) and learn how to use it.
7- travel friendly BPW or BCD (but let's face it, you're getting a BPW by this point
).
8- torch
9- save a dive kit w/ basic tools
10- SMB & spool and learn how to use it
11- surface whistle
What you DON'T need (again, based on being a travel diver):
- compass (unless you plan to dive regularly without a DM or guide, (Bonaire)).
- knife/cutting tool (that knife strapped to your calf makes you look like a twit).
- noise maker (do you enjoy diving alone? you will be if you insist on being the noisy diver).
- slate/writing tablet
- camera/action camera (this inevitably turns the expensive hobby into a very expensive hobby. Ask me how I know...
).
1- Mask (spend time on this; it should be so comfortable and effortless that it is invisible).
2- Boots/booties and Fins that fit over them comfortably.
3- Wetsuit/exposure suit that FITS and is comfortable for you in the temperatures you will be diving most often (expect to be donning and doffing a lot of ill-fitting suits....).
4- Dive computer (a basic inexpensive one, non-AI) and learn how to use it.
At this point in the scuba journey, purchase nothing further until the diver logs at least 100 dives. By this experience milestone, they should have both a) strong preferences in what they want in the remaining equipment, and b) recognition that a lot of the remaining gear is jaw-droppingly expensive new, and that the gently used market is - generally - the way to go.
5- regulator set (1st stage, primary air source, octopus/octo-inflator, inflator, SPG (yes, get an SPG even if your computer is AI)
6- AI dive computer (sell the original one, or keep it as a backup) and learn how to use it.
7- travel friendly BPW or BCD (but let's face it, you're getting a BPW by this point
).8- torch
9- save a dive kit w/ basic tools
10- SMB & spool and learn how to use it
11- surface whistle
What you DON'T need (again, based on being a travel diver):
- compass (unless you plan to dive regularly without a DM or guide, (Bonaire)).
- knife/cutting tool (that knife strapped to your calf makes you look like a twit).
- noise maker (do you enjoy diving alone? you will be if you insist on being the noisy diver).
- slate/writing tablet
- camera/action camera (this inevitably turns the expensive hobby into a very expensive hobby. Ask me how I know...
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