What scuba diving gear do I need?

Scuba Diving Articles

For our course you do not need to buy any gear unless you really, really, want to. We provide everything you need during training. However, you should know a little about the Scuba diving gear you will be using, so here is a brief description on Scuba Diving gear.

What is Scuba Gear?
S.C.U.B.A. stands for “Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus”. Scuba diving equipment lets you breathe underwater and enjoy only what the fish see. Of course, you have to feel comfortable doing this, it’s not normal, you know? But, your scuba diving equipment allows you to breathe just like you were on the surface.

What Gear Do I NeedYour gear is made to facilitate you to be fish-like. Your mask allows you to see crystal clear, unless you are diving in cloudy water. Your regulator allows you to breathe normal. Your wetsuit contains your body heat by trapping and heating a thin layer of water between you and the Neoprene.

One of the common mistakes new Scuba Divers make is to buy the wrong gear. Your gear must fit you comfortably and of

course look good, after all you will be in it and getting underwater pictures. Your gear is an investment; this is the one aspect of scuba diving you should not cut corners on.

The Gear You Need Depends on Where You Scuba Dive

There are many different types of diving:

  • Ocean
  • Springs
  • Lake
  • Pool
  • River

You can dive in almost any body of water. The gear you need will be different depending on where you are and what you are doing. There are also personal preferences on the gear you use.

There are 4 main categories of scuba diving equipment but for the average recreational scuba diver in Florida, you can get away with getting Temperate scuba diving gear.

  • Tropical scuba equipment – Used when diving in warm (24ºC/75ºF and up), clear water.
  • Temperate scuba equipment – Used when diving in moderate temperature (24ºC/75ºF) water.
  • Cold water scuba equipment – Used when diving in water cooler than (15ºC/60ºF).
  • Tec diving scuba equipment – Used by very experienced, highly trained divers to visit environments beyond the normal limits of recreational diving.


The basic list, after you get certified:

  • Mask – Allows you to see clearly underwater. (a good anti-fog solution needs to be used before every dive)
  • Exposure suit – Dry or wet. You suit protects your against the elements, it is not necessary but it sure makes the dive more enjoyable & comfortable.
  • Snorkel – your snorkel is used before and after you go under the water so you can breath and not waste the air in your scuba diving tank.
  • Scuba unit – this consist of your tank, regulator and vest (or buoyancy control device). These are the most critical components of all your gear, they must be maintained and cared for like your life depends on it, because it does.

  • Tank: contains compressed air. There are many sizes and types.

  • Regulator: allows you to breathe the compressed air at the rate your lungs want it. Your regulator takes the high pressure air inside your tank and regulates it for easy breathing.

  • Buoyancy control device (or BCD): serves many purposes. It allows you to control how you hover (not sink or float) while underwater. It also holds your tank to your body and usually has pockets and D-rings to store or hang items you will need during your dive.

  • Scuba diving watch – a necessary piece of gear to accurately monitor the length of your dive. You do not have to buy a scuba specific watch but you do have to make sure that whatever you do buy will withstand the pressure.
  • Dive computer – not a needed item but very affordable and easy to use. Your computer calculates & monitors your dive to ensure you do not exceed your depth and time limits. You can substitute a computer with good working knowledge of dive tables for a good reliable watch.
  • Weight system – makes up for your tendency to float.
    Fins – man designed these so we could be fishlike and propel ourselves through the water with minimal effort.

  • Dive light – always handy to have when looking into structures like sunken planes, trains and automobiles…and boats. You must have 2 lights (with fresh batteries) during night diving!
  • Dive knife – great to have when you get hung up on fishing line or rope.
  • Dive flag/float – this allows boaters to know you are diving in the area and they should (by law) keep away.
  • Waterproof camera – “leave only bubbles and take only pictures”. A good camera in an underwater case will let you take pictures of what you see so you can share your dive with friends and family.
  • Accessories – there are a few safety items like a whistle, an underwater clicker to get the attention of your dive buddy, signal tube (for above water to signal the boat) and, a slate to write on since you can’t talk.
  • Scuba gear bag – Used to haul around all of the gear we just covered, it’s a lot of stuff to drag around. A good bag makes a huge difference.

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