Buying Scuba Diving Equipment - What To Buy First
So you have taken your course and done a bit more diving and want to invest in some scuba diving equipment, but where to start?
A common question I am asked by new scuba divers is, “What scuba diving equipment should I buy first?” It can be tempting to want to buy all the kit in one go but it is a big investment to make and if you are only going to be diving two weeks each year on your holiday it might not be the best use of your money.
I always advise people to wait a while before buying any equipment, in this way you have time to see how often they will be diving, where and when they will be diving. In that way they can be sure to be spending their money wisely.
Mask, fins, snorkel.
A mask, snorkel and fins are a great basic investment. They are relatively cheap, lightweight, easy to carry on trips and can also be used for snorkelling.
With a mask fit is important, find a local supplier or club and try a few different styles. Small faces, big noses, wide set eyes, everyone is different. To check for a good fit hold the mask up to the face and inhale through your nose, a mask that fits will stick to your face.
If you wear glasses you might consider a mask that can be supplied with prescription lenses, they often aren’t much more expensive to have fitted and can save the trouble of contact lenses on the dive site.
Snorkels come in lots of styles too and it is down to your personal preference.
Fins, again lots of styles to choose from. The main consideration I would make would be full foot or strap fins. Full foot fins are great for warm water diving and boat diving however if you have strap fins with boots your feet will be warmer and you can walk more easily over different terrain.
When you start buying scuba diving equipment you will find that there are many different styles to choose from. It is important that you get good advice from your supplier and are not sold something that you do not need. Be wary of sales people that don´t listen to you or try to get you to buy only one particular brand. If you are a member of a club ask other members if you can try on kit to get a feel for things.
Buying scuba equipment online can be a great way to hunt out bargains especially if you don´t have a supplier close by. However where fit is important, say for masks, make sure they have a returns policy or you have tried the mask in a local shop first and know it fits before hunting for a bargain online.
Remember, whatever scuba equipment you are buying be sure that it fits you and suits your needs as well as your budget.
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