Scuba Diving Gear Explained

Scuba masks are essential to be able to see clearly underwater.  A mask should seal your nose to help you breath via the regulator. You should also a consider scuba mask that will give you a side-view functionality so that you can see from the corner of your eye. This is extremely useful when you are diving with a partner, and for beginners to keep an eye on other members of their dive party.

A Snorkel can be useful, but is not an essential item for diving. It is often recommended for inexperienced scuba divers. Using the air from your tanks and regulator does just that, uses air. There is a limited amount and beginner divers usually 'use more' and therefore have much shorter amounts of time at the 'bottom'. Using a snorkel while on the surface waiting for your party as they all enter the water etc, can save this valuable air and prolong your experience. Some divers prefer not to wear a snorkel since it does create some drag when swimming under water.

Scuba fins are an essential part of your scuba diving. It is VERY difficult to move underwater without them, and you use a lot more energy and therefore valuable air! The type of scuba fins that you purchase largely depends on where you plan to do most of your diving.  There are two types.
Adjustable strap scuba fins:  These types of fins are frequently bought by divers because they can be worn with dive booties. Booties provide insulating warmth for cold water and protection from coral etc. Adjustable strap scuba diving fins also have a reputation of high performance as they are designed to channel water better and create more propulsion. However, these types of scuba fins are more expensive and are less efficient than the full footed scuba diving fins for surface swimming, and the straps are inclined to break (always carry a spare strap)
Full footed scuba fins:   Although they are excellent for surface swimming or snorkelling, they can't be used with dive booties and therefore are only really for 'warm water' diving.
So if money is not an issue, or you are going to be cold water diving then go for the adjustable strap fins, otherwise , the full footed fins are your preferred choice!

BCD's (buoyancy controlled devices) are inflatable jackets that allow you to control your ability to float underwater. Dive weights will take you down, but by taking the compressed air from the tanks and inflating the BCD, it will give you uplift (ie raise upwards). The jacket is thus inflated through the air supply from your scuba tank's first stage port when you want to level out on your diving, or later to rise to the surface.
There are two main types of BCD's. One is the back-buoyancy BCD which keeps the air at your back, whereas a jacket style BCD appears more like an inflatable jacket and disperses air more evenly (this is probably the most popular).

Scuba regulators provide air at a significantly reduced pressure from the tank to your mouth. The most important feature to look for in a regulator is ease of breath-ability. A good regulator will perform well in cold water and even deeper dives. Other features to look for in a regulator include comfort and easy access to your alternative air sources. When you are underwater, you want to be comfortable with your mouthpiece.

Scuba tanks can be easily rented at dive shops, and many 'vacation divers' will rent scuba tanks. They come in two main types - steel or aluminium. The steel scuba tank can cost more than twice the aluminium one. However, a steel dive tank is known to be tougher and more resistant to being dented. At the same time aluminium tanks are better at resisting corrosion than steel tanks. Aluminium tanks are lighter to carry around when travelling, but this also means they are more buoyant and will require you to bring additional weights to descend underwater! Most scuba tanks come in 50, 71.2 and 80 cubic feet levels. If you are an inexperienced diver, you should opt for a 71 or an 80 cubic feet tank as you would probably need more air.

Dive knives are an essential piece of diving equipment. Contrary to movie myths they are not for fighting attackers or warding off sharks - but rather have a simple use - to cut! If you ever get entangled in sea vegetation, nets, fishing lines etc -then a dive knife can be a life saver. They are also useful for gaining attention (tapping on your tank) as sound travels very well underwater.

Dive suits come in two kinds - Wetsuits and Dry suits! Wetsuits are usually worn in warmer tropical whereas dry suits are best diving in cold water. The other big difference is cost. Dry suits are much more expensive! Wetsuits also com as 'shorties (neoprene covering the body and only half the arm and legs). full suits, and come in varying thicknesses. The colder the water you will be diving in, the thicker to wetsuit!. You dont want to get cold underwater. And remember, the deeper you dive, the colder the water gets.