Scuba diving is becoming an ever more popular watersports pursuit, the name ‘scuba’ being derived from the equipment’s initials (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus).
The novice scuba diver is well advised to enrol on one of the many courses that are available throughout the country and not only at the popular diving resorts. Having a solid foundation of training will allow the novice to become aware of basic techniques, how the equipment works and the essential safety factors.
The course organiser will probably have equipment for you to use on the course – the very basic (called ABC) items being snorkel, mask and fins.
You may decide to buy your own snorkel and mask early on to allow you to practise getting used to being underwater with your eyes open and breathing in your own time.
You may well soon discard the snorkel but it is worth getting a mask that really fits your face well so you can keep it as you progress in your diving.
Wait until you are sure you want to take up scuba diving seriously before spending a lot of money on other equipment but do use the course to try out different models of buoyancy control devices (BCDs), fins, regulators and weight systems to find out what types suit you best.
The Typhoon TS3 Drain Valve Snorkel is not at all expensive yet is carefully designed to work efficiently and boasts special features to reduce water entry and facilitate water removal.
Atomic Aquatics offers what it calls the strongest and most indestructible two-lens mask ever, the Atomic Sub-Frame Twin-Lens Mask.
This mask is so durable, it has a lifetime warranty against frame breakage and it is so good, they say it will without doubt be the last mask you will ever need to buy.
The heart of the Atomic Sub-Frame Twin-Lens Mask is a patented internal sub-frame which provides great strength as well as eliminating the bulky external frame. The lenses are held in place by a stainless steel retainer.
The Atomic Sub-Frame Twin-Lens Mask also features Ultraclear lens technology, which uses a new optical-quality glass to eliminate the green tint found in normal dive masks. This results in exceptionally high light transmittance and lack of distortion, maximising all of the available light.
There are several types of fins such as full blade, split blade, full foot and straps and for each of these there are many varying designs.
The basic purpose of fins is to minimise leg fatigue while enabling good headway through the water and your fins should fit well and be easy to put on.
Mid-range fins with a proven history are the Typhoon Hurricane Strap Fins which are popular and of rubber and plastic construction of the strong wide blades with vents and easily adjusted quick-release side buckles.
More sophisticated elements of scuba diving equipment include the buoyancy control device (BCD).
The BCD will allow you to control your buoyancy in the water and improve your weight distribution and general comfort.
Unsurprisingly, the more expensive the BCD, the more features it will have and the Zeagle range gives some options including the renowned Zeagle Ranger which led the way in high-quality heavy-duty construction, weight integration and rear flotation.
Women are specifically catered for by the Zeagle Ranger W Women's BCD, which offers a number of significant modifications to suit the female torso as comfortably as possible.
A diving air compressor is used to refill the scuba diver’s air tank. Modern units are available that are practical to use at home and can be transported in a standard car or on a boat.
The Coltri Aerotechnica Dive Compressor MCH6/EM series boasts a combination of a proven four-stage Coltri pump unit and a single-phase electric motor that make these a really versatile and portable breathing air compressor and a realistic option for the recreational diver.
Scuba Diving Regulators deliver air from an oxygen cylinder at a breathable pressure while you are under water.
The features of the Atomic Aquatics B2 Regulator provide a good illustration of the high level of development modern regulators have undergone.
The Seiko Gents' Automatic Divers' Watch 200 m SKX009K2 has a bezel with a red sector to warn that the diver is entering the final 20 minutes of safe diving.
The Citizen Promaster Aqualand 200m Professional Diving Watch JP1030-02L starts to approximate to a dive computer with its memory feature:
A waterproof torch can be of huge benefit if divers find themselves in deep or murky water and especially where there might be hazards such as sharp rocks or wrecks that could cause damage to their equipment or body.
The torch needs to be specifically designed for diving like the Peli Nemo series of dive torches which include the Peli StealthLite 2410 Recoil LED Nemo Submersible Torch, whose features underline its fitness for purpose.
The Typhoon Folding Knife is a stainless steel blade that folds neatly into its plastic handle where it is locked in for safety but can be made ready for use with just one hand.
The sharp serrated edge is ideal for cutting rope or vegetation and the knife has a belt clip as well as a drawstring cord. Low temperatures can be a problem for divers and so in most conditions a wetsuit is required equipment.
Wetsuits are called wet because they are designed to allow some water to seep in and this thin layer of water warms up against the body. The suit itself is constructed of neoprene and its construction with millions of gas bubbles provides the insulation needed against the ambient water temperature.
The material of the wetsuit should be thicker the colder the conditions in which you are diving but in any case the fit must be reasonably tight to be effective in keeping you warm.
If you are not sure what thickness suit to buy, choose a slightly warmer wetsuit than you might need as water can be let in to provide cooling but nothing can be done to make you warmer during a dive.
The Typhoon XTS Pulse Men's One-Piece Shortsleeve Wetsuit 3 mm is a great-value wetsuit made from high-grade titanium-lined neoprene with a 4-way stretch that offers a superb body fit and exceptional comfort.
The Typhoon Neoprene Professional Diving Drysuit is a back-entry neoprene drysuit made from 3-mm high-density neoprene with a Tuftex outer fabric, making the drysuit extremely durable and flexible.
This Typhoon drysuit has Kevlar kneepads, warm neck collar, matching hood and changing mat bag. It also has the option of swivel inlet valve and cuff dump valve or variable valve.
The novice scuba diver is well advised to enrol on one of the many courses that are available throughout the country and not only at the popular diving resorts. Having a solid foundation of training will allow the novice to become aware of basic techniques, how the equipment works and the essential safety factors.
The course organiser will probably have equipment for you to use on the course – the very basic (called ABC) items being snorkel, mask and fins.
You may decide to buy your own snorkel and mask early on to allow you to practise getting used to being underwater with your eyes open and breathing in your own time.
You may well soon discard the snorkel but it is worth getting a mask that really fits your face well so you can keep it as you progress in your diving.
Wait until you are sure you want to take up scuba diving seriously before spending a lot of money on other equipment but do use the course to try out different models of buoyancy control devices (BCDs), fins, regulators and weight systems to find out what types suit you best.
The Typhoon TS3 Drain Valve Snorkel is not at all expensive yet is carefully designed to work efficiently and boasts special features to reduce water entry and facilitate water removal.
- Flexible silicone corrugated pipe and drain valve for ease of use and comfort
- High-quality silicone mouthpiece
- Sliding length-adjustable mask clip
- Purge valve for easy water removal
- Narrow inclined chimney flu top to reduce likelihood of water entry from splashing
Atomic Aquatics offers what it calls the strongest and most indestructible two-lens mask ever, the Atomic Sub-Frame Twin-Lens Mask.
This mask is so durable, it has a lifetime warranty against frame breakage and it is so good, they say it will without doubt be the last mask you will ever need to buy.
The heart of the Atomic Sub-Frame Twin-Lens Mask is a patented internal sub-frame which provides great strength as well as eliminating the bulky external frame. The lenses are held in place by a stainless steel retainer.
The Atomic Sub-Frame Twin-Lens Mask also features Ultraclear lens technology, which uses a new optical-quality glass to eliminate the green tint found in normal dive masks. This results in exceptionally high light transmittance and lack of distortion, maximising all of the available light.
There are several types of fins such as full blade, split blade, full foot and straps and for each of these there are many varying designs.
The basic purpose of fins is to minimise leg fatigue while enabling good headway through the water and your fins should fit well and be easy to put on.
Mid-range fins with a proven history are the Typhoon Hurricane Strap Fins which are popular and of rubber and plastic construction of the strong wide blades with vents and easily adjusted quick-release side buckles.
More sophisticated elements of scuba diving equipment include the buoyancy control device (BCD).
The BCD will allow you to control your buoyancy in the water and improve your weight distribution and general comfort.
Unsurprisingly, the more expensive the BCD, the more features it will have and the Zeagle range gives some options including the renowned Zeagle Ranger which led the way in high-quality heavy-duty construction, weight integration and rear flotation.
Women are specifically catered for by the Zeagle Ranger W Women's BCD, which offers a number of significant modifications to suit the female torso as comfortably as possible.
A diving air compressor is used to refill the scuba diver’s air tank. Modern units are available that are practical to use at home and can be transported in a standard car or on a boat.
The Coltri Aerotechnica Dive Compressor MCH6/EM series boasts a combination of a proven four-stage Coltri pump unit and a single-phase electric motor that make these a really versatile and portable breathing air compressor and a realistic option for the recreational diver.
Scuba Diving Regulators deliver air from an oxygen cylinder at a breathable pressure while you are under water.
The features of the Atomic Aquatics B2 Regulator provide a good illustration of the high level of development modern regulators have undergone.
- Low inhalation efforts at deep depths and high breathing rates yet delivers air naturally and comfortably
- Factory ready for Nitrox to 40%
- Compact first-stage features 5-port low-pressure swivel and exclusive Jet Seat piston design
- All-titanium second-stage construction
- Exclusive Atomic Aquatics Comfort Swivel second-stage hose
- Exclusive patented Atomic Aquatics feature prolongs the second-stage seat life indefinitely, eliminating aggravating leaks
- Exclusive patented Atomic Aquatics feature automatically adjusts airflow at depth for stable, comfortable breathing
- Extremely soft and supple silicone rubber with tear-resistant bite tabs
- 2-year/300-dive service interval
The Seiko Gents' Automatic Divers' Watch 200 m SKX009K2 has a bezel with a red sector to warn that the diver is entering the final 20 minutes of safe diving.
The Citizen Promaster Aqualand 200m Professional Diving Watch JP1030-02L starts to approximate to a dive computer with its memory feature:
- Underwater depth display down to 80 m
- Second display for maximum depth, dive time, water temperature
- Water resistance 200 m
- 4-dive memory of Important dive data
- Auto-start dive mode
- Rapid-ascent warning signal
- One-way rotating bezel
- 100% stainless steel
- Screw-back case and screw-down crown
- 5-year manufacturer warranty
A waterproof torch can be of huge benefit if divers find themselves in deep or murky water and especially where there might be hazards such as sharp rocks or wrecks that could cause damage to their equipment or body.
The torch needs to be specifically designed for diving like the Peli Nemo series of dive torches which include the Peli StealthLite 2410 Recoil LED Nemo Submersible Torch, whose features underline its fitness for purpose.
- Submersible to 150 m
- 1-W Luxean Lambertion LED using Recoil LED technology
- One-handed safety switch
- Rugged ABS body and polycarbonate lens
- Adjustable lanyard
- Battery type: 4 x AA alkaline
- Burn time: 7.25 hr
- Lumen value: 72
- Length: 178 mm
- Weight (inc batteries): 210 g
The Typhoon Folding Knife is a stainless steel blade that folds neatly into its plastic handle where it is locked in for safety but can be made ready for use with just one hand.
The sharp serrated edge is ideal for cutting rope or vegetation and the knife has a belt clip as well as a drawstring cord. Low temperatures can be a problem for divers and so in most conditions a wetsuit is required equipment.
Wetsuits are called wet because they are designed to allow some water to seep in and this thin layer of water warms up against the body. The suit itself is constructed of neoprene and its construction with millions of gas bubbles provides the insulation needed against the ambient water temperature.
The material of the wetsuit should be thicker the colder the conditions in which you are diving but in any case the fit must be reasonably tight to be effective in keeping you warm.
If you are not sure what thickness suit to buy, choose a slightly warmer wetsuit than you might need as water can be let in to provide cooling but nothing can be done to make you warmer during a dive.
The Typhoon XTS Pulse Men's One-Piece Shortsleeve Wetsuit 3 mm is a great-value wetsuit made from high-grade titanium-lined neoprene with a 4-way stretch that offers a superb body fit and exceptional comfort.
- Flat cover seam stitching for exceptional comfort
- Friction-free neck seal for comfort and to reduce flushing
- Wrap-round collar for ultimate fit
- Metal zip slider for durability
- Titanium fine mesh to reduce wind chill
- Saddle crotch and stretch lumber panel with no underarm seams for comfort and flexibility
- Reinforced knees
- 3-year free watertight warranty
- Material: 7/5/3 mm Superelastic High-Tec neoprene
- Extra-elastic Flow Cut stretch zones on sides for better mobility
- Superelastic High-Tec material with highly elastic Thermo-Plush inside lining
- G-Lock Zip is 93.75% water resistance
- Multi-layer knee reinforcement
The Typhoon Neoprene Professional Diving Drysuit is a back-entry neoprene drysuit made from 3-mm high-density neoprene with a Tuftex outer fabric, making the drysuit extremely durable and flexible.
This Typhoon drysuit has Kevlar kneepads, warm neck collar, matching hood and changing mat bag. It also has the option of swivel inlet valve and cuff dump valve or variable valve.