Geared Up for a Good Time

In order to really gage whether or not one enjoys scuba diving they must be comfortable in the water, for that they may have to be willing to purchase their own equipment. Buying equipment is a big commitment to the sport and it may be daunting especially if you are second guessing the decision to pursue the certification but I noticed immediately after buying a Buoyancy Compensator Device (BCD) that I could relax and enjoy my time underwater.

Generally, the equipment that is rented out by the dive shops is not top of the line equipment, by any means. The BCDs, regulators, and wet-suits have all seen better days. For these reasons I choose to buy my own gear and by far I have no regret. Whenever I’m diving I want to feel safe and be able to trust that my gear won’t malfunction. By owning my gear and taking proper care of it (the annual inspections) I know that if an accident were to really occur it would be because of personal error not someone else. Preferably I feel more comfortable maintaining my gear, similar to setting gear up I’d rather do it myself (just so I know I did it correctly).

What I would recommend for those looking for their own equipment is to spend time researching. Diving is very individualized, not everyone uses the same equipment. There is a lot of variation and people need to be aware of what they are buying.