Getting Started: A Quick Guide to Selecting Your First Scuba Diving Equipment

Purchasing your first set of scuba diving equipment or even upgrading your gear is no easy task. With so many different options available on the market choosing your own scuba diving equipment can be stressful, particularly if you’re just getting started. To help make sure you have the knowledge needed to make the best decisions. We provide some quick thoughts and items to think about when deciding on a new piece of equipment. We’ll explore which pieces of dive equipment a new diver should purchase first. We will also cover helpful tips on where to buy equipment for new and seasoned divers alike.

We have listed the essential pieces of scuba gear for beginner scuba divers.

Diving Mask

A quality mask is the most important piece of scuba equipment you should get right away. We say this because faces vary widely in size and form, fit and comfort is important when it comes to masks. Scuba masks that are too wide will leak, while those that are too small will feel uncomfortable. Having a leaking or uncomfortable mask will put a diver under additional stress and potentially lead to more issues.

You can already get a good scuba mask from a reputable company like Scubapro, Mares, Aqualung or Cressi for a reasonable price. There are a ton of options – but check out our mask guide for recommendations on finding and caring for the right mask for you.

What to look out for: A good watertight fit.

Cost – From $50 to $200.

Wetsuits

An improper fit of a wetsuit can create severe problems underwater. You want one that is snug but not restricting. A wetsuit that is too tight will make it difficult to move around in the water. On the other hand, a wetsuit that is too loose can let water in and you could be cold and uncomfortable. The ideal wetsuit should fit like a second skin, not too tight, but free of any gaps or folds.

It is wise to consider the fit of the wetsuit when purchasing a used one. Given that wetsuits need to be broken in and adapted to your body shape, they’ll not fit right away as they would have been broken in by someone else. If it’s among your first times diving or wearing a wetsuit and you’re not sure whether to commit to the sport or not, a used wetsuit seems like a good non-committal investment.

To learn more about what thickness of wetsuit to buy, check out our handy wetsuit guide.

What to look out for: Comfort and fit. Snug fitting exposure suits shouldn’t hinder breathing or movement.

Cost – Wetsuits and skins range from $70 to $650.

Fins

We are able to maneuver effectively underwater thanks to our fins. Though they vary in form and firmness, they primarily fall into two types: adjustable fins and full-foot fins. Adjustable fins will typically be worn with booties, deciding on which types of booties will depend on the type of diving you do. If you plan to do a lot of shore diving or locations with a rocky area for entry, hard soled booties may be preferred. In sandy areas or boat diving soft soled booties may be more comfortable.. With full-foot fins you will usually go barefoot or just ear a pair of light neoprene socks.

What to Look for: Efficiency and comfort. Look for a comfortable fit that doesn’t bind the arches of your feet. The fins are too small if you ar

Dive Computer

Dive computers automatically recalculate your no-decompression status, allowing you to dive for longer periods of time while remaining safely inside the no-decompression limits. They do this by continuously monitoring depth and bottom time. In addition, computers can record your dives, warn you when it’s safe to ascend, track your ascension rate and do a lot more. It used to be expensive, but today, prices have started to drop with all the smartwatches around.

What to look out for: User friendliness: Even the most feature-rich dive computer is useless if you can’t quickly and readily retrieve the essential data for a dive, such as your depth, dive time, and decompression limits. Some types provide information at a glance using both graphic and numeric displays.

Cost – $300 to more than $1,300

BCD (Buoyancy Control Device)

BCDs typically come in two common styles – jacket or wing styles. Most new divers prefer the ease and comfort of a jacket style BCD. .However wing style BCDs can be quite comfortable and provide a wide array of flexibility and attachment points. If you like to customize and have a lot of flexibility you may consider looking at wing style BCDs.

What to look out for: Correct size and fit. Before you try on BCDs, slip into the exposure suit you’ll wear most often.

Cost: $350 to more than $1,000

Regulator

Scuba regulator allows you to breathe by converting the high-pressure air in your tank to ambient pressure. A regulator comes with two parts: first stage and second stage. The first stage connects to the tank that you wear on your back, and the second stage is what you put in your mouth. A regulator is considered to be one of the more expensive equipment items in scuba diving, but they are the lifeblood of diving so it is critical to pick a regulator that makes you feel secure in the water.

What to look out for: High performance and quality: Even at low tank pressures, the best regulators can provide a large amount of air at depth while exerting less effort.

When buying a used regulator, always ask the seller if the gear they are selling is still serviceable. Spending money on equipment that you won’t even be able to operate and maintain properly is something you should avoid doing. If the seller is unsure, try taking the item to a diving shop where they can diagnose the item and determine if the gear needs service.

Cost: From $225 to $1,600

Should I buy a used BCD?

Purchasing used or second-hand scuba equipment can help you save a lot of money and speed the process of assembling your own dive gear. When properly maintained, many types of dive equipment have a prolonged lifespan. This implies that you will probably be able to use your kit for many years to come, even if you purchase an older one.

Buoyancy Control Devices (BCD) are designed to endure extensive use and periods of time.The truth is that purchasing a new or used BCD doesn’t really make a difference, unlike with several other components of your scuba equipment. You can proceed to buy a used one as long as you ensure that it is completely functional.

How to examine a used BCD:

1. Examine the connectors and straps for tearing and functionality.
2. Look for any areas where the bladders’ ribbing may have been damaged by inspecting the edges.
3. Inspect the pockets for any damaged interiors.
4. Fill the vest to three-quarters full with the mouth inflator. Ensure that every strap operates smoothly by checking them one more time.
5. Verify the functionality of each release valve by checking it.
6. Put the vest on, tighten the straps, and make sure it fits properly. Make sure you can move freely, especially in the chest area.

Where to buy used Scuba Gear?

In addition to local dive shops that may have used gear for sale, the best places to purchase used gear are from local divers. Other choices include social media groups, scuba diving forums, and internet marketplaces like Craigslist and eBay. When making a purchase, try to always check the equipment out in person.

Pro tips when buying a used Scuba Gear:

1. Always note down the serial numbers of your gear for warranty, recalls, or in case of theft.
2. Acquire any available paperwork, such as maintenance records, user manuals, and original invoices.

Buying second hand BCDs is perfectly fine as there is not much that can go wrong. Granted, you made sure they are in good condition. As long as you check that it is fully functional, you are good to go.

Should I buy a used regulator?

Significant savings are frequently found when buying used scuba regulators. But either a certificate of a recent professional maintenance service should be included with them, or you will have to take care of that afterwards.

Here are some basic considerations to bear in mind when choosing a regulator:

Safety: Investing in a recognized manufacturer will ensure that you get a regulator with a tested and dependable design.

Ease of breathing: The best regulator is one that makes breathing as easy underwater as it is on the surface regardless of depth or conditions.

Serviceability – Depending where you live make sure you are able to have your regulator serviced by an authorized dealer locally.

What to look out for when buying used regulator:

Check for Salt Residue: A properly maintained regulator shouldn’t have any corrosion or salt buildup, particularly in the vicinity of the first and second stages.

Examine the mouthpiece for signs of wear and tear: Although it is a simple component to replace, it may reveal how well the equipment has been cared for.

Breathing Test: Attach it to a tank and breathe through it on the surface with the seller’s permission. Breathing should be effortless; if it’s constricted or sticky, it can require maintenance.

How old is the equipment? A number of brands have ceased operations, and parts are no longer available for numerous models. It’s crucial to keep in mind that vital components like o-rings, seals, hoses, and diaphragms will eventually oxidize and fracture regardless of how little the equipment has been used. The parts cannot be changed if the equipment’s maker is no longer supporting it.

Where to buy used regulators

A nearby scuba diving center is an excellent place to start because they usually have rental gear they’d like to replace or end-of-season inventory they might want to sell for cash. You might also find some used regulators still in excellent condition online like Ebay, Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.

Scuba Regulator Maintenance

It is important to provide the proper preventative maintenance in order to ensure the best possible performance and maximum life of your Scuba Regulators. After every day of diving, you should soak the regulator and its accessories in clean, fresh water. This helps rinse away grit and sand, and helps remove salt that can otherwise crystallize and impair regulator function.Most importantly, the regulator should be inspected and serviced at the interval recommended by the manufacturer (usually annually) to be sure it is ready for the diving season.

Should I buy a used wetsuit?

For scuba divers, wetsuits are an essential piece of gear since they offer the insulation needed to endure cold waters for extended periods of time. One of the first items of scuba equipment you’ll likely purchase is a wetsuit.

It’s important to keep in mind that old wetsuits, from frequent wetness and seawater, can smell a little when buying a used one. It’s also helpful to know that wetsuits don’t actually withstand that long if you’re purchasing a used one. It depends on the abuse the owner puts on his wetsuit, how often does he or she use it and how good do they take care of their wetsuit

Things to look out for when buying used wetsuits:

1. General look of the neoprene – You can tell between new and old neoprene easily if you know how new neoprene feels. In areas with high stretching, old neoprene becomes thinner, providing less warmth, looser neoprene, and a higher risk of tearing.
2. Neoprene flexibility – The older the neoprene , the stiffer, tougher, and more stretched out it is. Less flexible neoprene results in a wetsuit that fits poorly, is less comfortable, and restricts movement more. The age of the suit is also a factor because neoprene deteriorates with age.
3. Stitches – Inspect the seams and look for any tearing of the seams and cracking of the glue that helps hold neoprene panels together.

Here are some pro tips on buying used wetsuits:

1. Examine Seams: Check for any fraying or separation at the seams, as this could let water in and reduce thermal protection.
2. Fit is essential for thermal protection, so try it on. Try the suit on if you can to ensure that it fits comfortably, without being too tight.
3. Examine Odors: A strong smell may point to problems with the material or inadequate upkeep.

Wetsuits, unlike any other scuba gear, have a lot of considerations to think of. While it’s an easy item of gear to buy second hand, it’s also tricky to get an ideal fit. In addition, many divers feel anxious about how many people used the wetsuit before.You may be tempted when starting out to seek out used gear and buy someone’s hand-me-downs off the internet. If you do decide to buy a used wetsuit, we suggest you follow the guidelines we have mentioned for hassle-free diving experience.

Should I buy used fins, masks or other scuba accessories like flashlights and cameras?

Diving fins are footwear with a specific design that improves your underwater swimming performance. To accommodate a range of diving styles and preferences, they are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. Without fins, your underwater options are severely limited, and diving will become more of a static sport.

If you are a beginner diver or don’t yet have a big budget, you can find fins in a lower price range, usually made of durable plastic or rubber. If you have the chance to try on the SCUBA mask before you buy it, or if you know exactly what size and brand you want, then a used one might be a worthwhile investment because a good fit is crucial.

Here are some factors to consider when choosing used fins, snorkel and masks:

1. Fit and Comfort: To guarantee a solid seal especially scuba masks, make sure they fit properly.
2. Examine the snorkel for any damage, such as bite marks on the mouthpiece, chips in the mask glass, or cracks in the fins.
3. Buckles and straps are common places for failure, so make sure they are easily adjustable and in good shape.

Buying used scuba accessories:

You may buy second hand accessories like gloves, hoods, clips and reels, dive knives, lights, bags, and other minor goods without any trouble.

Assuming you have done your research, purchasing used diving equipment is a good alternative for divers hoping to save a significant amount of money on good or even usable gear. Keep in mind that until you can see the equipment in person and communicate with the seller, there are no assurances. So how can you lower the likelihood of purchasing a dud and obtain reasonably priced, high-quality dive gear?

1. Ask the seller about how much they used the equipment they’re selling and in what kinds of conditions they typically dive in.
2. Find out whether the seller dives regularly or not. If so, there’s a better chance the seller has maintained their equipment effectively and may have had it serviced a few times.
3. Verify if the seller has a majority of good ratings and how long they have been in business if the website you are purchasing from offers rating systems.
4. Take your time searching for used equipment. Making snap judgments can result in incorrect purchases and expenses .

Learning the ins and outs of purchasing and selling old equipment is an invaluable skill for life in general as well as scuba diving. Buying second-hand scuba gear can be a very cost-effective way to equip yourself.

A whole set of scuba gear may be purchased for 30–50% less than retail with a little research. Nevertheless, purchasing second hand scuba equipment carries some risk in case it doesn’t work well and you don’t get your money back. There are ways to protect yourself so that you can minimize this risk. It is also important to remember that when in doubt, it’s usually better to just buy new and save yourself the disappointment if you feel that something is off.

Have a handy advice when buying second-hand scuba gears? Share them on the comments