“What gear do I need to buy after I get certified?”

This is a common question after certification. What gear should I get first? Owning gear makes you more comfortable in the water and takes reliance off of dive shop rentals. It’s not always smart to buy every piece of gear first, even if you have the budget for it. Gaining experience first will help you find out where you like to dive and push you towards the most applicable gear choices.

1

Personal Gear

First up is the gear you need for your training. Mask, Snorkel, Boots, Fins and a bag to hold it is required for entry level training and is the base personal gear that every diver should own. Quality is important here. A good mask will last you 10 years. A bad one won’t work for one dive.

2

Personal Gear Version 2.0

A wetsuit and dive computer are two items that are personal, but rarely included in the first purchase. Owning a wetsuit is nice because it will fit, be comfortable, and be appropriate for the temperatures you dive in. Plus, you don’t have to deal with trying rentals on every time. Wetsuits come in a few different thicknesses, the thicker the warmer. 3mm or 5mm are the two most popular thickness and both are appropriate for diving in South Florida. 5mm will work year round while he 3mm is most appropriate for summer months.

3

Accessories

Next up is some of the accessories that make every dive a little easier or add a layer of safety. A line cutter, wrist slate, (big) surface marker buoy, spool and a drybag for the boat.

4

Full Set

BCD and regulator set will round out almost everything you need to go to any destination and go diving! Select high quality equipment here that will last for a long time and keep up with the manufacturer recommended service intervals.

5

Tanks

Last on the list is tanks. Tanks can be rented anywhere in the world, and renting is usually cheaper than buying them, plus it requires less maintenance. If you’re diving more than 15 dives a year then it makes sense to own your own cylinders. In Soth Florida most people use larger steel cylinders to get more time at depth.