1. Booties protect your feet from the rough stuff underwater. Coral, rocks, sharp-finned fish, and broken glass can ruin your dive. Booties protect you from these elements. They look sort of like boots with side zippers.

2. Swim fins for your feet are a must-have. Ideally, you should try on a pair or at least get a professional fitting from a scuba instructor or dive expert. Don’t go cheap on fins, because they can really help you get speed and keep your legs from fatiguing.

3. You need a scuba mask. Look for one that says “anti-fog” or something similar. Cheap masks don’t keep a proper seal, nor do they stay clear underwater, so don’t scrimp on this piece of equipment. If you have bad vision, you can actually find masks that offer prescription lenses so you can leave the contacts at home.

4. Snorkels and scuba weights are another necessary purchase. It can take awhile to find the right snorkel and scuba weight for your body, so feel free to try on several different brands.

Scuba gear will last a long time if you maintain them properly. Rinse them with clean, warm water and a mild soap after each dive. It will help remove the minerals and salt that cause equipment breakdown.

The Original Post is Located Here: Essential Scuba Diving Equipment

Dive Rite Trio Technical Computer

This is a good dive computer for someone who likes to go down to the abyss. It has a digital compass, an LCD display, programmable messages, and it works for three people at a time. You can buy it for about $450 in dive shops, but it costs less online.

Oceanic Atom 2.0

This device tells you your depth, dive time, temperature, and lets you know about your decompression limits. It even works on land, but of course, it also works with nitrox and air from your tank. It lets you choose between Imperial measurements or Metric measurements (for our European divers).

The best part of the Oceanic Atom 2.0 is that it can also monitor your two dive buddies if they stay close to you. It can actually find out the air pressure inside the other tanks, so you can keep an eye on everyone, especially the new divers in your group.

Unlike other dive computers, the Oceanic Atom 2.0 uses an ordinary, inexpensive CR2430 battery that you can find anywhere. You won’t have to visit a dive shop and buy an expensive battery ever again!

One word of caution: The Atom 2.0 computers made before 2007 have been recalled, so check the manufacturing date before you buy it.

The Original Post is Located Here: Two Scuba Dive Computers Compared

1. When you first buy a new scuba mask, you might notice an oily film over it. This is from the factory and must be removed before you use it. Baking soda paste and toothpaste can easily remove this layer. It also leaves it minty fresh!

2. Always rinse off your scuba mask in warm water after every use. It doesn’t matter if you were swimming in freshwater or saltwater – there is debris that attaches to your mask and must be removed. Don’t set out your mask in direct sunlight, since it breaks down rubber and dries it out very quickly.

3. Dry off your mask with a towel and try not to let it stay too damp. It can cause mold and fungus to grow on it, plus it can cause some interesting odors.

4. Store your scuba mask in a bag or box when you’re not using it. The mask can get scratched easily if you’re careless with it.

5. There are a few ways to keep your mask from fogging up. One way is to spit inside it and then rinse it out. Commercial mask defogger, however, works better and is more sanitary. Just add a few drops, rub it around, and then rinse the mask thoroughly. White toothpaste (not gel) is also good in a pinch, but it might scratch your lens.

The Original Post is Located Here: Maintenance Tips for a Scuba Mask

1. The fit of the BCD is the most important factor. An ill-fitting device may cause you to lose pieces of your equipment or even malfunction. In addition, a BCD that doesn’t fit you right won’t feel good while you are diving, so it will cause you to adjust it all the time. A jacket that is too small can actually cut off your circulation or breathing, plus it doesn’t feel good. On the other hand, one that is too big will cause your gear to move around. The bottom line is that it should fit you snugly, but not restrict your movements.

2. Grab the BCD release straps to make sure you can reach them quickly for emergencies.

3. Look for a low-pressure inflation system. Your BCD should fill up slowly with air, but the hose should have a large diameter. It needs to have an over-pressure release valve that keeps the BCD from popping during over inflation.

4. Check the lift capacity to make sure you can easily float at the water’s surface. A dive instructor can help you with this one.

5. Examine the BCD for helpful accessories like pockets, whistles, attachment rings, and zipper compartments. These are just extras that help you get the most out of your jacket.

6. Some BCDs have integrated weights inside them (usually in the back). This means you won’t have to buy a separate weight belt.

The Original Post is Located Here: Advice for Buying a Scuba BCD

When you’re ready to show off your videos, dry off your mask and plug in the included cable to your computer. It’s easy to download and edit your works of art using the included software.

Liquid Image 5.0MP Scuba Series Underwater HD Video Mask

This mask takes HD video in deep water (as long as you have a light source). If you prefer to take photographs instead, you can switch it to the 5-megapixel photo setting. There are two sizes: medium and X-Large. Unfortunately, the video camera in the Medium sized scuba mask can only work to a depth of 115 ft, while the larger mask works up to 130 feet. The cost of this particular camera is about $250 or less.
Liquid Image 5.0MP Scuba Series Underwater HD Video Mask click here

Liquid Image 3.1MP Explorer Series Camera Mask

If you cannot or do not want to spend $250 on an HD video mask, you can spring for this basic video mask instead. It has video capabilities and an integrated camera that captures photos at 3.1 megapixels. Your videos won’t be in HD, but they look fine if you’re going to upload them to YouTube or a similar video site. Don’t forget to purchase the light for the mask, which is sold separately. You may also want to get an SD card if you plan to take several videos or a lot of photos. For $45 or so, you can get a carrying case, the video mask, editing software, and video cable.
Liquid Image 3.1MP Explorer Series Camera Mask click here

The Original Post is Located Here: A Review of Liquid Image Video Scuba Masks

Rebreathers have facemasks that connect to the system, which straps on your back. The connection is called “the loop,” since it is the avenue for cleaning (scrubbing) your exhaled breath and supplying you with refreshed oxygen. You are going to need to breathe a mixture of oxygen and nitrox for safety reasons, but the manual on the rebreather will show you how to adjust the levels.

The scrubber is the main component that cleans your exhalations of carbon dioxide. It uses packed soda lime to remove most of it. The bailout is the final component in the rebreather system. It’s more of a backup feature on rebreathers, so it’s not always available. Wearing a rebreather means you do not have to worry about decompression stops when ascending. Here’s an example of a high-quality system you can find online:

VR Technology Sentinel Scuba Rebreather

The VR is the ultimate “life-support system” while you are diving. At $9,000, this machine can accurately monitor your diving conditions and adjust them accordingly. You don’t even have to press a power button – just strap it on and breathe into the mouthpiece to activate it while you are underwater. To alert others to dangerous situations, the VR features a “Heads up Display” with vibrating alarms that also flicker.

The Original Post is Located Here: Scuba Rebreathers: Self-Contained Life Support

Paddle Fins

The most common type you see on divers is the paddle fin, which is basically a piece of rubber that helps propel you in the water. Human feet aren’t equipped for the water, so paddle fins act as an extension of our feet. Of all the scuba fin types, the paddle fin is generally the most affordable.

Force Fins

This type of fin is best for experienced divers. Since the fins are lighter, they are also quicker, which can be hard for someone to manage if he or she is new to diving. They will get you around faster, but you may feel clumsier than when you’re wearing paddle fins. The blades are made in a V-shape and are curved upward a little bit. This allows you to kick with less power than usual.

Split Fins

Split fins are a newer scuba design. They are actually split down the middle, leaving a gap, which is supposed to help you propel yourself better with fewer kicks. Split fins aren’t for everyone – advanced divers seem to prefer them. Also, if your kicks are smaller, it might be easier for you to adjust to these fins. ScubaPro makes a whole line of these, and they are available online.

The Original Post is Located Here: The 3 Different Types of Scuba Fins

Heavy Duty Zeagle Dive Systems

The vests in this line are for experienced divers who need all the bells and whistles. The “Ranger W” is specially designed for a woman’s body, but the other vests are for men. The Ranger LTD stays on your torso with a few heavy-duty plastic buckles that are easy to adjust to your measurements. The dump valve is located on the right shoulder for quick and easy access, and it has several D-rings, a comfortable nylon waist panel for extra support, and two zippered pockets.

Recreational Zeagle Dive Systems

For divers who occasionally test the waters, a dive system that is a little cheaper will do the job nicely. Zeagle’s “Zeus” model won the 2009 Scuba Lab Tester’s Choice Award, so let’s look at why it’s so popular. The design itself is extremely secure with plastic buckles and a zipper up the front that covers your stomach area like a corset. It’s better for warm water diving, since the lift is about 24 pounds. You can put more weights inside the vest by unzipping the side compartments.

Testers liked the extra utility pockets and D-rings that allow you to add more accessories and carry your favorite dive items securely. It’s easy to put on and take off due to the zipper and chest buckle, and women can wear it as well. It also claims to fold up easily in a dive bag for traveling purposes, so you won’t have to struggle with bulky, wet materials post-dive.

The Original Post is Located Here: Zeagle Dive Systems: BC Vests

1. Flashlights and sonars help you out with night dives when the water is pitch black. Waterproof flashlights also assist you with searching out dark caverns and hidden spots. There are scuba flashlights and headgear flashlights available on eBay for reasonable prices.

2. Dive markers are essential for safety reasons. Floating buoys let others know where you are at all times. Ships look out for buoys, so you shouldn’t worry about accidentally having a run-in with a hull.

3. Dive computers look like wristwatches, but they are complete dive monitoring systems. They tell you how deep you are, the temperature of the water, how much air you have left, and much more. They can cost several hundred dollars, but they are worth it if you dive a lot.

4. Scuba knives are handy to have for a variety of reasons. They can help you get out of a bad situation with an angry animal and cut down plants and nets that try to pull you down.

5. Video masks with a camera or video cam are great for capturing those quiet moments under the sea. You only have to press a button to start recording the wonderful sights. Share your experiences with crewmembers aboard the boat or save them for when you get home and edit them.

6. Waterproof first aid kits are handy to have with you – at least on the boat.

The Original Post is Located Here: Six Scuba Gear Accessories You Should Own

Suunto D9 Dive Computer

This is called the “all-in-one” dive computer that has all the info you are going to need for your next dive. You can synchronize it with your tank to monitor the amount of air you have left using a simple-to-read graph. The compass rose points you in the right direction if you program it to stay locked on a chosen course. You can also choose between three gas mixes that show you how to time your decompression stops.

Not only can you use the Suunto D9 dive computer underwater, but you can program it for everyday uses, too. Choose between the black, plastic strap and a more professional-looking titanium band. This model retails for over $1,000.

Suunto Cobra3

If you prefer to keep your wrist free, then the Cobra3 dive computer can clip directly to an attachment on your vest. Like the D9, it has a compass, tank monitor, easy navigation, and gas-switching features. A unique feature is the ability to simulate future dives and look at the decompression times so you can accurately plan your dive down to the last minute. You can also plug in your dive computer to your laptop and download all the data from your last dives for analysis.

The Cobra3 is slightly cheaper than the D9. It costs between $700 and $900 in most online stores. EBay has many of the lower-priced dive computers, so start there first if you want to check out this model.

The Original Post is Located Here: A Comparison of Suunto Dive Computers