Scuba Diving Equipment
The gear and gadgets.
Scuba Diving Gear Information
Few sports come close to scuba diving for having such a bewildering array of equipment. But don’t let that put you off, as you’ll soon become familiar with it, and experienced club members are always on-hand to help you choose what’s best for you. The picture below shows you the basic equipment required for diving in Scotland. More information will appear when you “mouse-over” any item. Or, if you’re viewing this on mobile, the equipment will be numbered and the corresponding details will be listed below.
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Hood
Choose a hood that fits snugly, but is not too tight.
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Mask
Your diving mask should be comfortable and form a perfect seal around your face. Make sure the nose pocket isn’t too small, or the mask may be harder to clear. Many masks can be fitted with prescription lenses, if required.
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Regulator: 2nd Stage
Also called a “demand valve”. The dive shop will advise you on a regulator with matched first and second stages and octopus. For added comfort, consider getting a custom-fit mouthpiece (although you can add this later).
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Back-up Torch/Strobe
It’s a good idea to have back-up equipment – just in case.
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BCD Dump Valve Toggle
BCDs (Buoyancy Control Devices) usually have alternative ways in which excess air can be released, including toggle-operated dump valves.
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Dry Suit Dump Valve
Most dry suit divers will use their suit to maintain neutral buoyancy during the dive. The dump valve can be adjusted to enable excess air to be expelled automatically.
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Dry Suit Inflator
A dry suit can be inflated to offset “suit squeeze”, as the ambient water pressure increases with depth. In normal scuba diving, the air for this is supplied through a hose from the regulator’s 1st-Stage which is attached to the cylinder.
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BCD Inflate/Deflate Hose
The BCD (Buoyancy Control Device) is an inflatable jacket that a diver can use to control their buoyancy. Air can be injected or released through valves on the inflator hose. The BCD also has toggle-operated dump valves, at the shoulder and lower back. Note: most dry suit divers will only use the BCD to provide buoyancy on the surface, preferring instead to use their dry suit for maintaining neutral buoyancy during the dive.
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Dry Suit
Dry suits provide better warmth and protection than wetsuits, and enable you to dive all year round in UK waters. There are three main types: Neoprene; Compressed Neoprene; and Membrane. All will have an inflator valve and a shoulder or cuff-mounted dump valve. When choosing a suit, it’s important to get one that fits you correctly.
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Octopus
The octopus is a back-up regulator 2nd-Stage. An Alternative Air Source (AAS) which either you or your dive buddy can use, if required.
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Weight Belt
Proper weighting for any diver is very important. If you find a traditional weight belt unsuitable, a weight harness may be better for you. Your BCD may also have an integrated weight system.
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Gauge Console
The Depth Gauge and Cylinder Contents Gauge are typically mounted together in a console, often with a compass or computer. Having access to all this vital information at one point can be convenient.
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Computer
Most divers monitor their dive depth, duration and decompression with the aid of a PDC (Personal Dive Computer). Comprehensive information can also be downloaded to a home computer for logging or analysis.
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Compass
Various types of compass are available. Some divers prefer wrist-mounted, others console-mounted. Consider your preference, get one that’s easy to read – and practise using it.
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Torch
Dive torches come in all shapes and sizes (and prices). Choose one to match the kind of diving you will be doing.
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Gloves
Most divers wear wetsuit- type gloves, although dry glove systems are available. Make your choice based on comfort and fit.
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Knife
A compact, sharp knife should be worn when diving, as there may be the risk of entanglement with discarded fishing line etc. Line-cutters or shears may also be useful to have.
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Fins
Fins are an essential piece of dive kit, and there are many makes and styles to choose from. A useful extra, for many divers, is to get them fitted with spring heel clips, making them quick and easy to put on.
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Regulator 1st-Stage
The 1st-Stage is attached to the cylinder and it reduces the air pressure to the 2nd-Stage to enable the diver to breath normally regardless of the ambient water pressure. It also supplies high pressure air to the contents gauge and low pressure to the BCD and dry suit inflators.
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Main Cylinder
Dive cylinders (also called tanks or bottles) contain the diver’s supply of gas to breathe. For normal, recreational diving this is usually compressed air. Other gas mixtures are also available for specialised diving requirements.
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Pony Cylinder
As an additional safety measure, qualified divers often carry a completely separate air supply with its own 1st and 2nd-stage regulator.
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BCD
The BCD (Buoyancy Control Device), also known as a BC (Buoyancy Compensator) or Stab (Stabiliser) Jacket is worn like a waistcoat and is secured with various clips. It can be inflated and deflated by the diver in order to control buoyancy in the water. The air cylinder is mounted to the back of the BCD. All BCDs have various D-rings and pockets for equipment. When choosing a BCD, check that it is suitable for your size, weight and body shape.