Years back, I bought this pricey pair of open-foot trekking sandals I felt were real nice and made me look like a true outdoorsman. I made a couple of treks with those flops (no pun intended) but soon had to switch to closed-foot trekking boots instead. Apparently, the mountain hiking paths I was to take back then were full of poisonous and prickly plants. Good thing I had pants protecting my skin down to my ankles. My feet, though, were not spared from the eventual itchy rash I had to endure for days after the hike. Had I known about this earlier, I would have saved myself some money and could have had a better wilderness experience.

The same can be said when educated in acquiring your own diving equipment. You will not only save a load of money, but also have a great time diving while equipped with diving gear that fit your chosen diving experience.

When to buy

Without a doubt, the best time to buy your own diving gear is when you turn scuba-serious. That is, once you’ve completed several dives and after at least the beginning scuba course. This gives you plenty of time to try out different kinds of underwater equipment and see, as well as feel, for yourself what you’re comfortable with. The stuff rented out by dive centers as comprehensive as the stock of the Mermaid Dive Center will more than suffice for your first several dives.

Another thing you need to know beforehand is the types of dives you will be engaging in.  If you are looking into transitioning to technical diving in the future, it would be good to get equipment that would work for both advanced diving and technical diving. Some equipment will be ideal for diving wreck sites but would only be a burden when going through drifts or even caves.

Despite being expensive, the sandals I mentioned earlier cost cents compared to dollars you will spend for quality diving equipment. Because of this, you will want to own gear that will last a long time so be sure to know what to buy before making that purchase.

What to buy

There are precise equipment for every range of diving conditions and skills. No matter how much you love them, those cool, new-technology pair of gloves may very well give you added warmth but may not be suitable when taking camera clicks underwater.

Below is a list of essentials for the just-turned scuba-serious among you.

1.       Dive Masks - Try out all available dive masks before buying. There are quite a few things to consider when choosing the right mask for you. An exact fit means there are no air leaks and that there is no contact to the nose or the brow. For divers wearing glasses, prescription lenses for masks are also available.

2.       Dive Regulators - Simply put, a good regulator gives you an easy time breathing underwater. It is also best to choose one that is not hard to clean.

3.       Buoyancy Control Devices - Usually a vest that fits snug to your body, these devices control your rise and drop underwater and even help you attain constant depth. They are also designed with a function for quick release when in emergency situations.

4.       Wet Suits / Dry Suits - Wet and dry suits protect you underwater from the cold. Be sure to choose one that does not give you a hard time maneuvering during dives.

5.       Fins - Fins, paddle or split among others, serve different purposes. Choosing fins will have to depend mainly on the type of dive you will take.

6.       Dive Computers - These computers aid you by giving information about different conditions during your dive. One that serves as a compass and a pressure gauge as well as give you additional data would be ideal.

7.       Weight Belts - Belts are worn to aid in buoyancy under water and enhance your whole diving experience.

There it is! With the above list, you can have a worry-free shift from renting to owning.