Buying Scuba Gear

So, now that you know a little about all the stuff you need in order to dive, here's why you should think about buying at least some of your own gear: it's safer than renting, you can go diving any time you want to, and you'll end up diving more often.

What many divers recommend is renting gear for your first few dives after certifying, especially before buying the more expensive items. This will allow you to try out various styles before committing to one, deciding what styles and features you like, etc.

I'd suggest starting with the personal gear. It's harder to rent this basic stuff since many dive shops expect you to either have your own, or will tell you to just buy from them instead. So start with the basics: a mask, fins, snorkel (if you want one), and then add stuff for cold water diving if you'll be outside the tropics: a wetsuit, boots, and gloves, and maybe a hood or hooded vest. You don't need to buy everything at once, but having at least a few of these basic pieces will have you feeling like a diver in no time!

Once you've got a few of the basics, start thinking about the bigger purchases, especially a buoyancy compensator (or a backplate/wing) and your own regulator set. Then, only after you've got all that, would I consider buying the heavier items, like tanks and weight belts (with weights); they're heavy and easily rentable.

Where to get all of this stuff? Well, there's something to be said about just heading to your local dive shop. They'll have a selection of different brands and styles you can try on there in the store, so you can make sure you like what you're getting before spending any money. They may even let you try gear out in a pool before you buy it, which would be really nice.

Alternatively, you could buy at an online scuba retailer. Scuba.com, Dive Right In Scuba, ScubaToys.com, and Leisurepro.com are some of my favorites: all have a good selection and great prices. Online retailers often offer a much wider selection of gear than your local dive shop can afford to carry, and their prices are often much better, both because they deal in larger quantities, and because you likely won't need to pay sales tax. However, while they have sizing charts online, they're not really a satisfactory replacement for trying things on yourself to make sure they fit, are comfortable, etc. Fortunately, they usually have a nice return policy, so that if something doesn't fit, you can send it back and exchange it for another size. Many of these retailers offer used gear, and that can be a great deal. Also, be aware that not all online retailers are "authorized distributors" of the gear they sell, so they may not offer the warranty you'd get if you were to buy the same items at your local dive shop (or with an authorized distributor online).

Finally, there's the bottom-dollar option: Ebay's Scuba section. You can find pretty much anything on eBay that you'd need. If you decide to go this route, however, be aware that many purchases will be "as is, no returns", so you're stuck with what you get. If you're well-informed and know exactly what it is you're getting (and the right questions to ask), buying gear at an auction can save you money. While it might save you some money on the purchase price, the items may not work, or may need repair, and you may end up taking it to a shop to get it looked over once you get it anyway.

Explore the sites on our links page for more education and gear-shopping fun. Or...

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