| Scuba diving is a fabulous sport to get involved in, | | | | start to sink like a stone. |
| but there is a down side - the equipment isn't | | | | Unless you're only diving in shallow, warm tropical |
| cheap. If you're planning to do a lot of scuba | | | | waters, you're going to want a wet suit. This |
| diving, then you also need to allow for the costs | | | | works efficiently to keep your body temperature |
| of buying your own equipment. | | | | at normal levels. The wet suit helps your body to |
| When you're many meters under the surface of | | | | deal with the increased water pressure at depths |
| the ocean, you need to be confident that you | | | | and also the colder temperatures. Some people |
| have the right gear and that it won't break down | | | | are comfortable with a body suit, so that may |
| unexpectedly. So buying good quality scuba diving | | | | suit you better. Either way, you end up with a |
| equipment is important. Still, if you spend some | | | | skintight outfit that clings closely to your body. |
| time looking around, it's possible to still buy good | | | | Again, unless you're only diving in shallow water, |
| gear at cheaper prices. You're going to need a | | | | you'll need a torch. You can pay anything from |
| few things, so if you manage to save some | | | | $20 right through to thousands of dollars for an |
| dollars, even if it's only on some of your gear, it | | | | underwater torch, so do your research. Having a |
| all helps. | | | | good torch, though, really makes it easier to see |
| One piece of equipment you need is your mask. | | | | the beauty that's hidden beneath the water. The |
| This is your window on the underwater world, so | | | | deeper you go, the less sunlight, and so the less |
| make sure it fits snugly and gives you a clear | | | | color. It can be quite astounding to look at a bland, |
| view. Over time a mask does tend to get | | | | brown piece of coral deep under the ocean, only |
| scratched, so this is one piece of equipment you | | | | to highlight it with a torch and see it blaze with |
| might not want to buy second hand. You also | | | | color. |
| need a regulator, to help you breathe underwater. | | | | Most scuba divers like to carry a knife. It's not an |
| Basically, it takes the compressed air in your | | | | essential item, but can be used for digging or |
| scuba tanks and reduces the pressure down to a | | | | prying things. Remember to check whether it's |
| level that is breathable. It only delivers air when | | | | okay to disturb the natural fauna where you're |
| you inhale, so that you don't waste the air in your | | | | diving. A knife isn't meant to be used as a |
| tanks. | | | | weapon underwater, unless it's absolutely |
| Another important piece of equipment is your | | | | necessary. |
| buoyancy control device, or BCD. It's worn like a | | | | If you're not sure exactly what you need, head |
| vest, and contains an expandable bladder that you | | | | for your nearest scuba store and start asking |
| inflate with air from your tank as you're diving. | | | | questions. They will be able to assist you with |
| This is mandatory, because as you dive deeper, | | | | choosing the right gear for your level of |
| the water pressure increases. So unless you can | | | | experience and the type of diving you're |
| increase your buoyancy at that point, you will | | | | expecting to do. |