With over 70 percent of the Earth's surface covered with water, the chance to explore the ocean's depths can be quite alluring. The Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus, or scuba unit, along with a few other pieces of equipment, provide the chance to observe and explore the beauty and life that exist under the surface. In order to dive safely and discover what the briny deep has to offer, specific equipment and training are necessary. Upon receiving the proper certifications, a trip below the surface is only as far away as gathering up the right equipment and heading out to the nearest ocean.
Basic Equipment
A mask is necessary to ensure you can see clearly when underwater. For scuba diving, a mask must have an enclosed nose to adjust for pressure changes. A wetsuit protects your body from skin abrasions and keeps you warm during your dive. The type of wetsuit needed for a dive may vary based on the water temperature. A snorkel can be used to facilitate breathing near the water surface without wasting the air stored in your scuba tank. Scuba fins often have a long blade, allowing quick movement through the water without requiring the use of hands. A weight system or weight belt provides an offsetting amount of weight to a diver's body weight in order to reduce the tendency to float.
Scuba Unit
The scuba unit consists of a tank, a regulator, and a buoyancy control device (BCD). The tank stores compressed air to be used during the dive. Tanks must be inspected annually and should therefore have an inspection decal. The regulator supplies air from the tank to the diver via a hose, gauges and a mouthpiece. A BCD is inflated or deflated, allowing the diver to float or descend in the water. The BCD is a jacket or vest that can also serve as a harness for attaching the tank to the diver's back and has storage pockets for additional gear.
Safety Equipment
Safety is a top priority when engaging in a scuba dive. Signaling devices are important to help divers get the attention of other divers, boats, or emergency personnel. Divers should always carry at least one visual, such as dive lights, and one auditory, such as whistles, signaling device. Dive knives can be used in the unlikely event that a diver becomes tangled in equipment or vegetation. A dive light can also allow for illumination of dark spaces, as well as provides the only source of light on night dives. Dive flags or floats signal to boaters where divers have descended so that they may keep an appropriate distance from your dive site.
Accessories and Extras
Numerous accessories are available to make a dive more enjoyable, comfortable or memorable. Underwater cameras can record a dive's memories. Slates can allow for communication among divers, while treasures can be collected in catch bags. Lanyards, clips and watches can all help store items and monitor dive time. Scuba gear and accessories are available in a variety of fits, sizes, colors, and brands. Depending on where you plan to dive, the time of day and the temperature of the water, the specific equipment and accessories necessary to rent or purchase can vary slightly.
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