Scuba diving provides exercise, entertainment and a great reason to plan a vacation. Once you've gotten your PADI certification and tried out a few different brands of rental gear, invest in your own basics to make scuba trips comfortable and enjoyable. Purchase a mask, fins, a snorkel, a buoyancy control device and a dive light for basic diving. A dive computer, a compass and a dive board are fun extras.
Mask
You need a mask to see properly underwater. Find one with an enclosed nose, a screen made of tempered glass. Find the right mask by holding potential masks against your face and breathing in lightly through your nose. If the mask sticks to your face, it's the right fit.
Fins
Look for an open heel fin with a wide blade. Bring your wetsuit booties with you to try on your fins, or wear thick socks to account for the space taken by booties. Popular models of dive fins include Apollo Bio, Oceanic V-16 and Oceanic Viper.
Snorkel
Your dive mask may come with a snorkel, but if you decide to buy separately look for a snorkel that fits onto your mask strap easily and has a mouthpiece that fits comfortably into your mouth. If you plan to scuba exclusively you won't use your snorkel very much, but if you enjoy snorkeling also ask for a self-drain snorkel with flexible design.
Dive Light
Head to your local outdoor or scuba specialty shop to look for a dive light so you can see into crevices and during night dives. Hunt out a small, powerful, LED hand-held flashlight. Princeton Tec and Streamer make good models. Check what depth the light is rated to, a good beginner model should go down to 70 feet.
Buoyancy Control Device
Buy your own BCD vest for maximum comfort and control during your dives. A BCD vest holds all your scuba gear, along with weights and allows you to control your buoyancy through weights and inflatable air bladders. Look for a model that fits well when inflated. PADI recommends bringing all your diving accessories when you try on your BCD to make sure your equipment fits on the vest.
Extras
After a few dives you may want to invest in some fun scuba accessories. Look for a waterproof underwater slate to make notes on during your dives. Record aquatic life viewings and other important or interesting information. Bring a compass so you can navigate during your dives. Invest in a dive computer, usually designed like a wristwatch, which records the depth, location and time of your dives for memorabilia, tracking and bragging purposes.
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