EQUIPMENT PROCUREMENT OVERVIEW

Written by Chris Lang, Divemaster Candidate
Whether you just completed your Open Water certification or looking at updating your equipment, this article will cover a recommended order of acquiring gear. This is provided a mask, snorkel, fins and boots have already been purchased.
SCUBA gear is expensive and it’s important to get the equipment that works best for your diving needs. This blog article came about during a conversation with PADI Master Instructor Jonatham Ingram of Central Oregon Diving professional staff. I asked him what order he would acquire dive gear as an Open Water diver or Reactivate diver. This is the list he suggested:

Dive Computer

• A dive computer will record all the dives, which can be uploaded to an app on your phone. It also gives information on depth, descent/ascent rate, bottom time, surface interval, SAC rate, nitrogen load, safe to fly, and many other data points.
• An additional recommendation from Jonathan is to look at dive computers that can use a transmitter attached to the first stage of the regulator. The transmitter sends the air pressure information to the computer. It is suggested to have a small SPG for redundant safety purposes. The transmitter can be added later once a regulator is purchased.

Regulator

• Owning a regulator set up keeps the knowledge that it is well maintained in the hands of the owner. A regulator is your life support so making sure it is good working condition is important. Maintenance for regulators is recommended that a bench test is performed yearly and a complete rebuild every two years.
• Owning a regulator eliminates the question if rental regulators are maintained properly.
• Owning also lets the diver customize the mouthpiece, the hose colors and accessories.

BCD

• Having a well fitted BCD is critical for maintaining proper buoyancy.
• Personal BCDs allow you to customize it too. Such as where you like to put gauge clips, octo holders, and knife.
• And as mentioned above, having the knowledge that the BCD is well maintained is important for safety. Also, you are familiar with the features and releases

Wet Suit/Dry Suit/Semi-Dry

• Finally, picking a wet suit is mostly determined by the temperature of the water. If most of the diving is in warm water, then a 3mm suit is sufficient. For cold water diving, a 7-8 mm suit is a better choice.
• Dry Suits are great for diving in the PNW and cold water, however, they do require additional certification and training.
• Semi-Dry suits (Jonathan likes to call them ‘semi-wet’) are a newer development. The suit is still made of wet suit material but features thick neck, wrist and ankle cuffs to keep the water in the suit that has been warmed up by body heat. Because of the cuffs, the suit allows less water transfer thus keeping you warmer. Divers may be tempted to look online, whether it is ordering from a faraway dive shop or someone cleaning out their garage and put it on a marketplace, but be cautious. Benefits of going to the local dive shop gets expert knowledge from the professional staff, finding the right fit and knowing where it can be serviced. An online marketplace…well do you really want to be 60 feet down and find out something doesn’t work?

Visit Central Oregon Diving for expert knowledge and equipment that won’t break the budget. A cash lay away program is available, just talk to Sarah.

Look for future blog articles that will include dive travel, specialty classes, certification classes and a deeper dive into selecting equipment.