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Gearing Up for the Dive

Did you know that the term “scuba” is not a word but actually an acronym? It stands for Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. So from its name alone you can immediately deduce that scuba diving is more than just about going out for a dive. It is about the gear, too. Especially about the gear.

If you want to dive safe and have fun all the way, then you need the right gear or equipment to ensure that everything is well for you and your buddy. Here is a list of the most basic equipment you need to scuba dive as well as some tips on how to buy them.

 The Face Mask

The most crucial thing to remember about face masks is that it should fit your face properly. Here are some tips to help you find the perfect fit when purchasing a face mask for your diving gear:

• Make Sure the Seal against the Face is Correct 

The easiest way to do this is to try the mask on before buying. First, just look straight up and then put the mask on your face. Make sure the strap is out of the way so air will not leak out. Next, let go of the mask as you suck it in through the nose.

You will know when a mask fits if it is drawn to your face and can be held there temporarily by suction. 

• Moustaches Interfere with the Fit 

They generally cause a leak because air will pass through the hairs. This is especially true if the moustache is bushy and there is no skin above them under the nose.

To compensate, some divers shave the extreme upper part of the moustache. Try this and it will make you look more like Clark Gable. If you do not want to shave any part of your moustache, then you can try applying silicone grease to the hair.

However, if you want to hassles with your face mask, then you can just shave the entire thing off. 

• Determine whether the Size is Correct 

After you have determined that the mask fits using the method described above, then it is time for you find out if the size is right. Of course, it would be hard to find a mask that fits but is too large, so chances are the mask is probably just the right size. Even so, it is also too easy to get a mask that is too small to fit.

You don’t want a mask that is too small. That would reduce your side vision. When you are underwater and enjoying the marine wonders, you want to be able to freely see from side to side.

There are masks that offer side plates to improve side vision. However, don’t rely too much on these. Sometimes, the distortion through the side plates can be so great that you can see things far from where they really are.

• Pay Attention to the Volume of the Mask 

What does it mean “volume” of a face mask? Is there such a thing? The volume of the face mask seems like an obscure characteristic that most divers don’t even bother with it. However, a mask with a good volume could mean a whole world of difference when looking at things underwater.

First, masks with low volume are the ones that get your eyes close to the glass. The mask provides you the greatest vision, especially from side to side. What’s more, they are easier to clear of water.

If you have a large face, however, you may want to use a higher volume mask. Since the glass is positioned far from the eyes, there is a lot of room between you and the glass.  

• Irritation 

If this is not your first time diving, then you probably know that face masks sometimes cause irritation. And when they do, it’s usually in two places – the bridge of the nose and the skin directly under the nose.

To minimize irritation, make sure that the mask does not hit the bridge of your nose when you try it on. Also, make sure that you do not feel any discomfort under the hose. Even just a little discomfort in any of these places will turn into a large irritation once you have been wearing the mask for a long time underwater. 

• Silicone vs. Rubber 

In terms of shelf life, silicone will last almost indefinitely. In addition, rubber is rotted with oil, which can get to your face, making the mask useless after a few seasons. On the other hand, silicone masks are clear and allow more light to penetrate, thus lessening tunnel vision.

But there are also disadvantages to silicone, such as the fact that the material will absorb colors from objects touching it. For instance, if you attach a rubber snorkel to the silicone strap, the dark color could get absorbed into the strap, making it look permanently soiled. Also, if silicone gets moldy, you can kill the mold but the silicone strap will remain looking unsightly.  

• Clean the New Mask before the First Dive 

Masks usually have a film left from the manufacturing process. If not removed, the film could cause fogging problems underwater. Using a toothbrush and some toothpaste, vigorously brush the glass to remove this film.

The Snorkel

There used to be a time when scuba divers bring snorkels with them when they dive. However, the gear has become less popular in scuba diving for obvious reasons. What use do you have for snorkels when you have the scuba? Snorkels are cumbersome, annoying, and rarely needed.

Even so, most certifying agencies still require the use of the snorkel and for good reason: The snorkel allows you to swim with fins for long distances, while keeping the head looking down and never having to come up for air.

Keeping that in mind, you still may want to purchase a snorkel, if not for scuba diving, then for skin diving. You never know when you need the gear.

• Make Sure the Bore of the Snorkel is the Right Size 

The bore is that end of the snorkel that remains above the water. It is where air passes through when you suck through the mouthpiece. So you can see how important it is that the bore should be the right size. If it is too small, not enough air will pass through, making it hard for you to breathe.

You will know when the bore is the right size if your thumb fits snugly in the top. Don’t make the bore too large either because it would be hard for you to expel the water after surfacing.  

• Watch for the Flexible Section Near the Mouthpiece 

If you plan to carry the snorkel when scuba diving, then this is an important feature to look for. It allows the snorkel to hang straight when not in use so that it won’t get in the way with the scuba regulator.

In most snorkels with this feature, the flexible section is often corrugated. That way, even when it is bent, it won’t close. But make sure that the corrugations do not continue on the inside because water may trickle down the grooves and get into your mouth. 

• Purge Valve 

The purge valve is usually a one-way flap at the bottom. It makes it easier for you to get rid of the water when you surface. But remember that water in the snorkel will only fall to the level of the ocean’s surface so you would have to expel the rest by forcefully exhaling.

The Fins

First of all, they’re not called “flippers.” Flippers are what you find on pinball machines. Their proper name is “fins.”

How important are fins to a scuba diver? Try swimming with just your arms while wearing full gear, including wet suit, and feel how strenuous it can be. Even if you are an experienced swimmer, you cannot swim properly using just your legs for propulsion when you are in your full diving gear. To put it bluntly, the water is unsafe for a diver in full gear but without fins.

There are two types of fins used by scuba divers. Read below for a short description of each:

• Full Foot Fins 

These are worn on bare feet. They are called “full foot” because they cover the entire bottom of the foot. Full foot fins must be fitted properly. They are not as flexible or as comfortable to the foot as its adjustable counterpart but they are about 1/5 cheaper.

When you decide to but a pair of full foot fins, be sure that it is not too lose. Otherwise, it can result in painful blisters. Remember that you wear this type of fins over your bare feet so no protective boot to shield you from annoying rubbing points. You can, however, wear cut-off socks and that should take care of the problem.

• Adjustable Fins 

They are called adjustable fins because they come with a strap found in the back and which you can use to tighten the fin on the foot. They are also usually worn over wet suit boots which you can wear even in warm water.

Adjustable fins are more forgiving on the foot since the fins and the pockets are usually larger. Also, the boots also give you protection against blisters, a very likely possibility if the fins are loose-fitting.

However, adjustable fins are more expensive than full foot fins. If you decide to purchase a pair, you may have to spend 1/5 more than you would normally take out of your wallet for a pair of full foot fins.

The Weight Systems

For a scuba diver to go underwater and stay there comfortably, extra weight is needed. But more than that, you need the extra weight because of the following factors:

• Unlike the snorkeler, when a scuba diver takes in air underwater, it makes him float. 

• The scuba diver’s face mask is an air space that adds buoyancy.

• While muscle, bone, blood, skin, and most organs do not float, fat floats on water. So the more fat on a diver, the more he will likely float, and therefore, the more weight he needs to keep himself underwater.

• When scuba tanks get low on air (as when you stay underwater for a long time and use up much of the air), they tend to float.

• Wet suits float. Their buoyancy is determined by their size, thickness, and type.

• Salt water is denser than fresh water. So in salt water, things float much better than they do in fresh water.

Over the years, there have been a variety of weight systems developed to overcome the diver’s buoyancy underwater. But the most popular weight system used today is the “weight belt,” which consists of nylon webbing about as wide as a car seat belt but much thicker. The weights comprise of molded lead which have a hole in each side (or if they are “bullet weights”, they have one hole in the center) where the belt is pushed through.

The scuba tanks, of course, come with the package, and it isn’t really scuba diving if you don’t have one. But let’s start simple, shall we?