Captain Jim's Perspective on Scuba Diving Gear.
First I would like to welcome you to the world of diving. You have made the commitment to learn how to dive and are about to embark on the adventure of a life time. Scuba diving, like many recreational activities, is equipment-intensive.
Whether an item of dive gear is considered essential or desirable, each was conceived and developed to satisfy a definite need and perform a specific function. From regulator to gauges, mask to fins, and buoyancy compensator to wet suit, recreational scuba equipment is purposeful, interesting to use, and a big contributor to your overall safety while diving.
Dive Gear Can Be Divided Into Two Categories:
Catagory 1 - Personal Gear:
Your Mask, Fins, Snorkel, and Boots are considered personal items. They must fit correctly or you will have a miserable experience. Can you imagine being 40 feet under the water and having water leak into your mask or your foot cramps because you are using the wrong fins? Every students face has different features which must be accounted for when selecting a Scuba Mask. Scuba Fins come in different sizes, stiffness, and weights. Scuba Fins also need to be fitted for you.
Do not purchase your mask or fins via an on line store/internet. Let our trained staff custom fit you and make sure you are ready for your first scuba lesson. A Personal Fitting takes about 45 minutes so please come by a few days before your scuba class starts. Once you have selected your Personal Gear, if it does not work great in the pool we will swap it out until we find the perfect set for you. You can't do this with a mask and fins purchased on line. What are you going to do if the mask leaks, the fins cramp your legs, or they just aren't comfortable in the first pool session and you need a new set for the second pool session?
Catagory 2 - Scuba Gear:
Consists of Bouyancy Compensator (your life vest that equipment is secured to), Regulator (how you breath underwater), and Dive computer/gauge (tells you when you will run out of air), Wetsuit (how you stay warm).
Acquiring your own dive equipment is a major factor in safety and the enjoyment of scuba diving. Sure, you can rent gear at many dive destinations, but do you really want to rely on the availability of much-used rental equipment for your personal safety and enjoyment of diving? We provide these items for your Scuba Lessons. You will learn how all this gear functions and how to safely use it.
One of the questions we always get is: Does owning your own dive gear does have advantages. The answer is yes it does.
As a beginning Open Water certification student, you can speed your learning curve and progress quickly into the open-water environment by purchasing and using a basic dive equipment package: regulator and BC in addition to mask, snorkel, fins, and boots.
Learning how to scuba dive involves a lot more than learning how to breathe through a regulator underwater. You learn the art of buoyancy control, the subtleties of swimming and streamlining, and a host of other skills. Acquiring these skills quickly and comfortably has a lot to do with the equipment you use in training.
If the BC is too small, you will struggle with it, which interferes with your learning. Fit and comfort are the prime criteria in selecting most items of dive gear, and in achieving maximum safety and pleasure underwater. The best way to ensure that your gear fits correctly and comfortable is to wear your own.
Even if loaner or rental equipment fits well, it may not be right for you because of particular features — or lack of them. Features are what distinguish one item of dive gear from another. When you buy your own gear, you evaluate and choose the features you need and appreciate. The process is fun, adds greatly to your knowledge of diving, and ensures that the gear you dive with does what you want it to, the way you want it to.
You will know how to operate it properly and care for it responsibly. You will know the condition of your gear, where it has been, and who has been using it. That familiarity contributes to the highest level of safety, which in turn gives you peace of mind.
Other less obvious but still important benefits accrue from owning dive gear. Buying gear deepens your relationship with Carolina Dive Center . We are your conduit to diving. We offer training opportunities, arranges trips, keeps you in contact with other divers, and services and supports your equipment. Having your own equipment also marks you as a serious, committed diver, and it encourages you to dive regularly, to stay involved in the sport.
The bottom line on equipment ownership: It's the way to achieve maximum safety and enjoyment of diving. We believe that part of the commitment you are making to learn to dive should include acquiring your own Personal and Scuba dive gear. It's an excellent investment in yourself and in your future diving adventures.
I look forward to diving with you.
Captain Jim