Imagine your first real dive. You’re 20 metres below the surface, surrounded by colourful fish, with bubbles rising above your head. To enjoy this moment to the full, you need the right equipment. Let’s go over what you’ll actually need when you decide to explore the underwater world.
Basic diving equipment
Essentials
BCD (buoyancy vest) – probably the most important piece of equipment. This “vest” allows you to float underwater like an astronaut in space. Just add or drop some air and you have perfect buoyancy control.
The regulator is the thing you put in your mouth and breathe out of. It turns the air from a high-pressure bottle into something you can breathe normally. It also includes a back-up regulator (called an “octopus”) that you can offer to a friend if they run out of air.
The mask – your window to the underwater world. The most important thing is that it fits your face perfectly. A poorly fitting mask equals a bad dive, as water will leak into it.
Snorkel – that curved tube we all know. Especially useful when waiting at the surface before a dive.
Neoprene – your underwater “coat”. In warm waters a thin one is enough, in colder waters you need a thicker one, and for really cold waters a dry suit is good to keep you dry and warm.
Anti-fogging agent – no one wants to dive with “fog” in their mask. A few drops of this wonder and you’ll have a crystal clear view.
Fins and neoprene boots – without them, you’d probably move around underwater like a turtle on dry land. Fins give you strength and speed.
Signal buoys – the kind of orange or red inflatable “sausage” you release on the surface to let boats know where you’re surfacing.
Weights – so that buoyancy doesn’t bring you right back to the surface, you need a few kilos of lead. The amount depends on your body and the type of wetsuit.
Dive computer – your personal underwater guardian. It monitors depth, time, and tells you when it’s time to surface to avoid decompression sickness.
Advanced equipment
Dive knife – no, it’s not for sharks! It’s mainly used to free you if you get tangled in nets or plants.
Dive torch – you won’t see the true colours without it. The water absorbs red light at shallow depths, and with the lamp everything suddenly comes to life.
Bottle flapper – an easy way to say “hey, look over here!” without shouting (which you can’t do underwater anyway).
Compass – for those who don’t want to rely on the instructor and would like to find their way back on their own.
Accessories for convenience
Underwater signs – a small plastic plate with a pencil where you can write “I SAW A SHARK!” or “I’m out of breath” to your buddy.
First aid kit – stays ashore or on the boat, but it’s good to have. It contains everything from band-aids to seasickness medicine.
Waterproof box/bag – where else to put your wallet, car keys and phone when you’re on the boat or beach?
Underwater camera – because without proof, no one will believe you’ve been swimming with mantas.
A more detailed look at each piece of equipment
Dive bottle
You probably know that steel or aluminium container on your back from the movies. It holds the compressed air (or other breathing mixture) that you breathe underwater. Depending on the depth and your consumption, a normal bottle will last about an hour of diving.
Regulator
This marvel of technology changes the air from the bottle, which has a pressure of around 200 bar (that’s about like the pressure in a truck tyre times 20!), to a normal pressure that you can breathe. The first stage connects to the bottle, with a hose leading to the second stage, which is in your mouth. It’s basically a kind of air tap.
A diving mask
The most important thing is that it seals well. Take it to the store, put it to your face without the strap, breathe in through your nose and let go. If it sticks without the strap, it’s the right one. Get your own right from the start – rented masks never fit that well.
Neoprene or dry suit
In warm waters (above 24°C) you can dive in a swimsuit and t-shirt, but you will usually want at least a light wetsuit. The colder the water, the thicker the wetsuit you need. Then for really cold waters, a drysuit is best to actually keep you dry – you wear warm underwear underneath.
A well-fitting wetsuit shouldn’t pinch anywhere or be too loose. When you squat down, it shouldn’t restrict your movement or pinch your crotch uncomfortably.
Fins
There are two basic types – closed-toe (for warm water, right on your foot) and open-toe (used with neoprene booties). The latter are more versatile and more comfortable for longer periods of time. The stiffer fins give more power but require stronger legs.
BCD (buoyancy vest)
This is basically a kind of inflatable vest that allows you to control whether you sink, float, or surface. Simply press a button to add or drop air. In addition, it doubles as a carrier for the bottle on your back and has plenty of pockets for small items.
Diving knife
It’s not a weapon, it’s a tool! It is mainly used to free you if you get tangled in old fishing nets, ropes or aquatic plants. It’s also useful for communication – tapping the knife against the bottle makes a sound that even divers farther away can hear.
Dive torches
It’s dark underwater. Even on a clear day at 20 metres, the red colours begin to fade and everything takes on a blue-green tinge. A good torch will show you the true colours of the coral and fish. And on a night dive? Without it, you wouldn’t see anything at all.
Equipment for all occasions
When you’re starting out, you can just rent most of the gear. Gradually, as diving becomes your passion, you’ll buy your own gear. The first items are usually a mask, fins and a wetsuit – the things that matter most are the ones that fit you perfectly.
Over time, you may find that you specialise in a particular type of diving – wrecks, caves, night dives, photography… Each has its own specifics and may require special equipment. But that’s the music of the future. To get started, all you need to do is rent some basic equipment, let an experienced instructor guide you, and most importantly – enjoy the beauty the underwater world has to offer!