The ocean is a vast place that is full of wonder and mystery, and if you want to explore or even just experience a little bit of what the ocean has in store you will need the proper scuba diving gear. Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus, or SCUBA for short, is a collection of equipment that enables humans to go underwater for extended periods of time. If you are planning on going scuba diving then you will need to get the proper gear, this is not just for your own safety but also to help you make the most out of your undersea diving experience.
Beginners and expert scuba divers alike need basically the same kinds of equipment, and here are some of the more important scuba diving gear that you need to have before you go out on a dive:
Diving Mask – Humans are not meant to go deep underwater that is why your eyes cannot see very well when you dive. By using the right diving mask, you create an air pocket in front of your eyes so that you can see clearly even underwater, and it also prevents the saltwater from getting in your eyes. Some dive masks are slightly larger than a regular pair of goggles, while some cover the entire face and enables divers to communicate with each other.
Swim Fins – Diving deep underwater uses up a lot of energy so you need to conserve as much of it as possible, and using swim fins will do just that. These fins have a larger surface area than your feet so you can push yourself through the water without using too much effort. There are basically two types of fins: the ones that have a strap that goes on your heels, and ones that lets you put in your entire foot inside, pretty much like a moccasin.
Protective Clothing – Diving suits do more than just protect your skin from getting cuts and bruises from sharp rocks and corals, this type of scuba diving gear also help regulate your body temperature and prevent the onset of hypothermia. There are three types of diving suits: wet, semi-dry, and dry suits. Wet suits are made from porous neoprene and allow water to freely flow through, this is primarily used for diving in warm waters. Semi-dry suits trap some water inside and use it to trap body heat; these provide more protection because they go all the way up to the neck, wrists, and ankles. And lastly dry suits are completely sealed at the neck and wrists, and it also has built-in boots; these suits do not let any water inside the suit, which is why they are primarily used for diving in colder waters.
Air Regulators and Oxygen Tanks – These are the most important components of every diver's scuba diving gear because these are the ones that actually let you breathe under the water. Oxygen tanks contain enough compressed oxygen inside them that can last an hour or so, while the regulator controls the release of oxygen every time you take a breath. These can be quite expensive, fortunately you can just rent these equipment at dive centers for a minimal fee, and it includes a full tank of oxygen.
Buoyancy Compression Device or BCD – Because of your body's natural buoyancy, keeping yourself at a certain depth can be quite hard. But by using a BCD you can actually control your descent into the deeper parts of the ocean and stay there for a long time.
These are the basic scuba diving gear that you will need if you want to dive into the ocean and explore its wonders.