CYBER DIVER ADVISOR :: How to Buy Scuba Diving EquipmentScuba diving equipment has come a long way since Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau and Emile Gagnan co-invented the first scuba regulator over 50 years ago. In addition to ongoing refinement of basic designs and the introduction of new and better materials, innovations such as dive computers, weight-integrated BCs and nitrox capable equipment have improved and enhanced both scuba diving safety and comfort. Today, you can select from a multitude of designs offered by scores of scuba diving equipment manufacturers that deliver better performance, comfort and safety. Of course, all of these improvements come at a price but if you take care of your dive gear, it should last for many years. THE FIVE BASIC RULES - RULE #1: Disregard all dive product advertising and promotion.
- RULE #2: Disregard so-called "objective" dive equipment tests conducted by scuba diving magazines that derive substantial amounts of income from advertising contracts with dive equipment manufacturers.
- RULE #3: Never, ever buy anything unless you've had a chance to test a demo unit in the water.
- RULE #4: Try as many designs as possible before you settle on the one you're going to buy.
- RULE #5: Trust your own judgment. Our scuba diving equipment evaluations will point you in the right direction but at the end of the day, the only valid opinion is yours.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR Masks: Fit, fit and fit! Try as many masks as possible and buy the one that fits best. If you wear glasses, get a mask that will accept prescription lenses. The weak point is the mask strap so ask the dive shop to throw in an extra one when you buy the mask. Fins: All feet are not created equal. The trick is to find a fin with a foot pocket that perfectly matches the shape and size of your foot. Other important considerations are blade size and flexibility. Again, try as many designs as possible in the water and buy the one that feels best. Another item to look for is quick release buckles which will put a smile on your face when it's time to remove your fins at the dive boat ladder. Again, ask for a backup fin strap so you'll be ready when one breaks (and it will). Snorkels: Keep it simple but look for the following three features: A soft, comfortable mouthpiece, a purge valve below the mouthpiece and a flexible lower tube so the mouthpiece falls out of the way when you're not using the snorkel. Wetsuits: Are you ready to spend some money? Good! Because a top quality, custom-made wetsuit is one of the best investments you can make if you want to be a happy diver. It will keep you warmer and last much longer than one which does not quite fit and is made with inferior neoprene. Get zippers in the arms and legs and make sure the neoprene is thick enough to keep you warm in the environment you'll dive in most often. BCs: Look for a weight-integrated BC that eliminates the discomfort of weight belts. We also prefer rear flotation but this is a matter of personal taste. Again, try as many designs as possible until you find one that feels right. Regulators: This is probably the most important item of scuba diving equipment you will ever buy. There are many excellent regulators available and you do not have to saw off an arm and a leg for one that offers high performance. Look for a balanced diaphram first stage and a light, compact second stage. As always, try as many regulators as possible in a variety of different conditions and buy the one that feels best which probably will NOT be the most expensive one. A good tip to increase a regulator's longevity is to put it back on a tank after you rinse it and blow some air through it with the purge valve to remove water and corrosive particles that may be trapped in the system. Dive Computers: This is another essential item which, if properly used, will substantially enhance your safety and reduce the inherent risks of scuba diving. If you can dive without bells and whistles, you'll find some very affordable dive computers that give you what you need to know. If you're into nitrox diving, you'll want to buy a nitrox-capable computer which can be programmed for various gas mixes including one of our favorites, air. All dive computers run on batteries which eventually run down, usually when you're on a dive boat half way around the world. Informed divers open up their save-a-dive kit, take out a backup battery, replace the old one and gear up for the next dive. Uninformed divers stare incredulously at their dive computers, fumble around in their dive bag for the computer manual, turn to the battery section and read the following: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REPLACE BATTERY. RETURN YOUR UNIT TO A QUALIFIED TECHNICIAN FOR BATTERY REPLACEMENT. OK, now you ARE an informed diver. Do NOT buy dive computers designed by companies that have decided you're just too dumb to change a battery. What about air integrated computers? We don't see any real advantages that justify the additional expense. Still, if you have something against high pressure hoses or think you look really high-tech without one, go for it! Compasses: Don't go diving without one unless you're in a swimming pool or tied to the boat. We recommend a wrist compass which receives less abuse than ones that are mounted on your gauge console. Dive Lights: You'll need one for night diving and if you like to see what color marine animals really are, pack a light on every dive. Rescue Sausages: You may never need one but if you do, it could save your life. Put one in your BC pocket and leave it there until you need it. If you do a lot of drift diving or dive in areas where other boats are common, attach a 5-meter line so you can deploy it while you're making a 5-meter safety stop. HOW TO SAVE MONEY Before you plunk down big bucks for scuba diving equipment you should know this: Dive shops are working with a 100% margin which, in our opinion, makes haggling OBLIGATORY. If you're looking for the maximum price break, consider purchasing several big ticket items at the same time. As we mentioned in CD Advisor: Dive Shops, you can also find good deals in autumn when dive shops are trying to reduce old stock in anticipation of ordering new products which usually hit the market in early winter. If you already know exactly what you want to buy, you can save substantial sums by buying from wholesalers on the internet. As with purchases made on holiday in resort areas, you may need to arrange local servicing for high-maintenance items such as regulators. Look around. Some of the best equipment technicians in the industry have established independent businesses which cater to divers who buy scuba diving equipment from wholesalers or resort area shops. What about one-brand package deals? C'mon, you can't be that lazy! The dive shop cut a volume price deal with XYZ Scuba Equipment, and yes, all of that XYZ color coordinated stuff is priced to sell if you buy the whole package. But XYZ wasn't thinking about you, and only you, when they designed it. Before you buy anything, go out and rent, borrow, steal scuba diving equipment for a day if you have to, but try as many designs as possible to effectively evaluate which items work best for you. Whatever you buy and no matter how good the deal is at the time of original purchase, the best way to save money is to take proper care of your scuba diving equipment to extend its longevity. Always rinse your equipment after each dive and stow it away from direct sunlight. After the day's final dive, wash everything thoroughly (do it yourself if you want it done right), put your regulator back on a tank and purge the system. Before you store your scuba diving equipment for an extended period of time make sure it's clean and dry, then lubricate hoses and straps with silicon spray (it's cheap and effective). A final word of caution from our favorite dive buddy, Murphy: Scuba diving equipment CAN BREAK, therefore it WILL BREAK, often on the first dive after your dive gear has been in storage for an extended interval. Spend a couple of dimes on a save-a-dive kit including o-rings for your camera and light, fin & mask straps and batteries for your computer. Go to ScubaLinx Equipment for complete listings and independent diver evaluations of scuba diving equipment manufacturers. | 
