The Basic Equipment
Although diving can be a very safe and enjoyable sport. It is essential that you have the right equipment, and know how to use it. The basic equipment consists of diver wears, mask, wetsuit, fins, weight belt, BCD and device require to breath underwater the regulator and cylinder.
Diving Mask
Diving mask creates an air space between your eye and the water to allow you to see clearly underwater. A good quality of mask will use scratchproof and shatterproof glass and be made from silicone to create a seal against the diver's face
Regulator
A demand valve delivers air to your mouth when you take a breath via mouthpiece. A second mouth piece-known as an octopus- is attached for your buddy to use an alternate air source in emergencies. With the aid of a hose, the regulator is attached to an air cylinder worn on the diver's back.
Buoyancy Control Device
Connected to the air cylinder is the buoyancy control device – or BCD as it is most commonly known. This is an expandable bladder that helps you achieve neutral buoyancy underwater. It fits on your body like a jacket and allows you to control your buoyancy by adding and removing air. Straps on the back of the jacket hold the tank in position and have a quick release function to free yourself in times of emergency.
Weight Belt
To aid their descent and stop them rising to surface involuntarily, diver will wear a weight belt around their waist . The belt can also be used to counteract the extra buoyancy created by certain items in the diver's gear, such as their wetsuit
Information Gauges
To tell you how much air you has left , guages are available which show your depth and can include a compass and temperature reading.
Wetsuits and dry suits
Diver must be fitted with a good quality wetsuit in order to keep the body warm and protected from underwater hazards (e.g jellyfish and sharp coral) They are available in different thicknesses depending on the temperature of the water and a person's individual sensitivity to cold.
Wetsuits are only resistant to certain level of coldness if the water temperature is below 15 degree than eatra warmth offered by dry suit is needed. Drysuit is design to stop water entering with the aid of seals at the neck and wrists. This mean it typically provide better insulation and so keep their wearers warmer.
Fins
Fins are worn on the feet to propel the diver through the water, and leave their arms free. These are available as either full-footed fins, or adjustable-strap fins, which are designed to be worn with boots when in colder waters.
Costs
Diving equipment is very sophisticated and as such, very expensive. So first time divers are not expected to buy their own equipment straight away. Only divers that completed their training and then started to dive regularly decide to invest in their own gear.
