Ask any longtime scuba diver, and you’re sure to get a different answer to the question: what are the most essential pieces of scuba equipment to buy? That’s because all the pieces of a scuba diver’s kit are important in their own right. You’ll want to get them all eventually.
Still, there’s no need to be daunted when you’re getting started. You only need to think about the key pieces of equipment.
There are two different First Three lists here, because we all get into diving from different backgrounds.
The first list below is for those who are brand new to diving and aquatic exploration. These three items are absolutely essential for any diver or snorkeler, so grab them if you haven’t already! If you’ve already got them, hop down to the second list.
The second list is for those who already have a basic snorkeling kit (mask, fins, and snorkel). If you’re brand new, grab the items in the first list, and then rent the second ones when you start diving.
You want to have some experience under your belt before you buy the expensive stuff, so rent your computer, regulator, and BC the first few times you dive.
Also read: The Best Fishing Rods & Reels
The first three pieces of gear to buy if you’re brand new:
Mask
Your mask is one of the most personal pieces of scuba gear you’ll ever buy. More than just a viewing window, it’s a little bubble of air your eyes use to focus and look around underwater. It also serves as an equalizer when you hit deep water. There are countless different options available, which is good news because every face requires a different fit and shape.
The ideal mask fits snugly but comfortably, and seals completely. Water getting into your mask will eventually make you unable to see, so it’s super important to get something that seals tightly every time. That’s where finding the right fit for your face gets important!
To find your perfect match, you have to match your face profile to the profile of the mask. It’s best to try just placing the mask on your face without using the straps, to see if it naturally matches the contour of your face without pressure. That’s a sure sign of a good fit. Next, try breathing through your nose. If the mask seals to your face, it’s a potential keeper. Make sure to try it with the strap and a snorkel in your mouth, but if it still fits well, great! As long as your nose and lip are comfortable, you’re good to go.
Fins
Fins are absolutely essential for moving underwater. There’s simply no way to get around quickly without them. They’re a no-brainer for your first three pieces of gear!
The good news is, compared to masks and snorkels, they’re very simple to fit. Just use your shoe size! A fin that fits properly leaves you some room at the toes and doesn’t squeeze the middle of your foot.
When you’re starting out, you want to stick with something shorter and more flexible. You’ll need time and experience to develop the muscles to power big, stiff fins. As you go deeper and become more experienced, you can move to something longer.
Pro tip: the best fins are those without seams. Fins made with layered materials come apart easiest, which is why the higher-end ones use blended materials without seams. It’s best not to skimp, anyhow, because trying to use crappy fins is a real drag (pun intended!).
Snorkel
Lastly, a snorkel rounds out your first three items to get for scuba diving. Wait, a snorkel, you ask? I want to dive! You need a snorkel for your surface swimming, so you don’t waste all your air when you don’t need to be using it. A good snorkel keeps water out, and breathes comfortably.
Like a mask, a snorkel is a pretty personal piece of gear. It has to fit your mouth comfortably, so people have very different preferences. You’ll probably have to try a few before you find one that feels perfect.
When you’re comparing your options, you want to balance size against features. The more features a snorkel has to keep water out, the bulkier it will be. The fewer it has, the faster it will be.
If you already know you won’t be spending much time snorkeling at the surface, it might make sense to get something cheaper that does the job. Still, even the most passionate of us sometimes need a relaxing snorkel along the beach, so don’t short yourself.
The first three pieces of scuba gear to buy if you’ve already got a good snorkel kit:
Computer
While you certainly want to have an understanding of the principles at work when you’re underwater, learning dive tables is impractical for most beginners. Plus, it’s off-putting. You don’t want to do long division on paper, right? You want to skip the dive tables for the same reason.
A dive computer does all the calculations for you, monitoring your depth, ascent rate, tank pressure, and all those things. It’ll give you an adaptive, accurate window of no-decompression time to work with, and tell you when it’s safe to fly.
Feeling a bit lost? Don’t worry! Basically, if you’re going to be diving, you want a computer. It’s that simple. You’ll be safer, and you’ll have more fun.
While you’re choosing your first one, keep it simple. Extra features and modes are no good if they get in the way of finding the stats you need quickly and easily. A well-designed dive computer always shows you the key info at a glance.
Don’t go crazy with spending lots of money, either. A decent entry-level model is all you need. You can always upgrade later. So, get yourself something simple that leaves some room to grow.
Be sure to choose one that’s on the conservative side when you start out. You want generous safety margins until you’re very experienced.
You can also do yourself a favor and look at the manual online before you buy, so you have a general sense of how easy it will be to learn the computer.
BCD
A BCD is a buoyancy control device. It’s essentially a vest you wear tight around your body (and/or wetsuit). Your BCD holds all your smaller gear, and it inflates/deflates to keep you at a neutral buoyancy as you change depths.
Your BCD is a big ticket item, so be prepared to shell out when you buy your first one. That’s why so many people rent them until they get really serious.
Ideally, your BCD will fit snugly, but it won’t squeeze you uncomfortably when it’s inflated. To test that, just inflate until air comes out the overflow vents. If it’s still not uncomfortable, you’ve found a winner!
You’ll want to feel around the whole thing, so you know that all the straps, pockets and adjustment mechanisms are easy to access. The most important thing to check is the inflator hose. Make sure it easily reaches over your head, and has controls you can operate with one hand.
Regulator
Lastly, you’ll need the forever-underrated regulator. It’s easy to forget about the regulator, because when they work well, you don’t notice them! Your regulator takes the pressurized air from your tank and makes it breathable. It also does some other tricks, like filling your BCD or supplying a second stage.
The best part about shopping for your first one is that the affordable options are actually really decent. Any regulator on the market should do a good job, as long as it’s from a reputable company.
The most important thing to do is find something that fits comfortably in your mouth. Once you’ve got that sorted out, you can check the controls and start thinking about performance. If in doubt, always ask the pros at the dive shop! It’s also a good idea to try as many different regulators as you can while you’re renting gear, so you can get a feel for what you like.
*Hey, why didn’t you include a wetsuit? To be sure, wetsuits are must-have items according to most divers. Whether or not you really need one depends on where you dive, and how deep. If you’re not in the tropics, definitely get one (or rent)! For folks learning in warmer climes, it may not be something you need to buy right off.*
Also check out our wetsuit review
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About the author:
Josh Kaplan is a passionate diver, underwater explorer, and traveler. He spends most of his time in the water, but when he’s not diving, he writes gear reviews at scubalist.pro!