Purchasing your first set of diving equipment may be a difficult job for beginner divers. Numerous gear evaluations, buddy suggestions, and magazine articles highlight the current “must-have” item of equipment. It’s difficult to tell what’s vital from what isn’t. Here are our top recommendations for purchasing your first set of diving equipment.
What kind of diving are you looking for?
It will have a significant impact on your equipment choices. Consider where you’ll be diving: largely in tropical areas, or will you be venturing into more moderate locations? Perhaps you’re planning a trip to the icy oceans of the North?
The amount of use that your gear is expected to receive must also be taken into account. Will you solely use it for a two-week holiday annually, or will you visit your nearby dive spots weekly?
According to the responses, a lightweight travel BCD from the Nearest Diving Store may be a better option for you than a heavy-duty Cordura counterpart built to endure the demands of supporting and teaching divers.
Must you purchase everything or in pieces?
Purchasing your own set of diving equipment is not required to be insanely expensive. As they grow more passionate about the sport, the majority of divers will purchase equipment from Nearest Diving Store as they progress.
It also helps you to determine what type of tools and companies you want. Masks and snorkels are common first-time purchases, and many diving courses demand them even when taking the Open Water course.
So, what about the other? Purchasing a whole equipment bundle at once is sometimes more expensive than separating transactions, but it may restrict your choices, particularly if you wish to mix gear from many brands. Buying in pieces is frequently the only choice for individuals on a tight budget.
If you’re updating equipment, a complete kit change might have a significant influence on your diving. Buying gear by piece might aid with the changeover.
Which type of equipment is the most essential?
While having access to every piece of your equipment at once is ideal, most divers must make trade-offs. A well-fitted mask may save or ruin a dive. It’s especially critical if you need prescription glasses. Fins are also a low-cost investment that is useful for the appropriate fit.
Even if you plan to dive frequently in tropical areas, you should still invest in open-heel fins and booties since they will make finning more comfortable for you.
If feasible, test out a few different fin kinds using equipment rentals first to determine which you prefer. The first expensive item on most people’s wishlists is a dive monitor. Some diving shops rent these, but it’s far preferable to possess your own to keep count of your specific diving characteristics.
A drysuit is commonly the next item on the list for cold-water divers, whereas those diving in tropical seas would often get a wetsuit from Nearest Diving Store.
Where should you go to get your complete diving gear?
While an item may appear to be perfect on display, putting it on in a store generally provides you with a better notion of whether that BCD fits properly. Those regulators breathe freely, or that wetsuit is as tight and comfy as it appeared online.
And, by purchasing your gear at a physical store, you have the dive shop’s expertise to assist you. Since the workers are typically extremely experienced with every piece of equipment they offer and will provide you personal advice and maintenance once you purchase.
So, while a store can give the same savings as its online rivals, it is typically the best option for that first piece of equipment.
Consider joining a diving display if you would like the best of the two. They frequently combine attractive discounts with the option to check out gear from many brands, and there is frequently a pool to test your possible products in near-real-world settings.
Is it a smart option to purchase used diving equipment?
Purchasing old equipment might be a great alternative. Each year, certain dive schools or the Nearest Diving Store replace all of the gear. Beginner divers may obtain amazing bargains on equipment and have the advantage of already being comfortable with it.
There’s frequently a regular supply and active market of second-hand gear in regions where many divers train as Divemasters or Instructors, which was often purchased only months before the sale. Auction websites like eBay are another great place to get used equipment.
However, be cautious if you go this path because you won’t know the background of whatever you acquire. For your safety, you must have any used equipment you acquire serviced immediately after purchasing it and before using it.
Overall, it is wise to conduct a study before dealing with your funds. Create a realistic list of goods you wish to acquire in order of importance based on your dive style.
Ask your trainers or other divers you respect at Nearest Diving Store for advice and a no-nonsense perspective. Remember, if it seems too appealing to be true, it generally is.
