The Unthingable

Diving sounds awesome, where do I start?

A friend recently asked: What is the least I need to spend to start diving? Diving is not a cheap hobby. However, it does not have to be terribly expensive either.

To dive, you need three things: training, equipment and experience. What that will be really depends on what you do and where you do it. Where will you be diving? Truth is, you probably don't know. Diving is such a vast thing that you can only explore it little by little, trying different things, going to different places, tinkering with equipment and so on.

Naturally, my advice is biased towards my own approach — watch for a later post on my take on gear choices.

The first step

Your first step will be to take an Open Water course, and there are two choices: find one nearby or go to a tropical resort. The tropical resort course is likely to be more enjoyable (more on that later), you can get your OW card in 2-3 days and do some more nice tropical dives while you're there. The local course will likely take longer, the training will be harder, the water will be colder, etc.. In both cases expect to spend: $200-400.

Word of advice for the local course: find and join a local dive club. Heavily discounted classes may be available for members.

Word of advice if you go the tropical route: do not put off your training until the end of your vacation. In the likely event that you discover you really like diving you will still have time left for it! Expect to spend $60-80 for every two tank boat dive.

Also, there are such things as "discovery" or "introductory" dives — for $50-$100 you can get a couple of dives with everything provided, no cert required. I don't see a point in those unless you really have no intentions of diving more.

Gear

So you've decided to take a class and become an Open Water diver. Maybe you even decided to work a tropical vacation into it. Maybe you are going to a place where buying gear is problematic (ahem, Mexico). You walk into a dive store. What do you get?

First and foremost, remember you have absolutely no idea how a piece of gear will work for you in the water. You may get decent advice if you're lucky, but more often you'll get a salesman wanting to upsell you on crap (more on that later). Either way, you won't know until you try and get some experience! So either hold off on purchases for now, or do serious research and only get the most basic things, starting with a mask.

Therefore, your first best option is to simply wing it and go to a popular diving resort with nothing but cash in your hand. They will have everything for you to rent. Sometimes rent is included in the price of the class and even the regular dives.

Rent or own?

This is not much different from other "equipped" sports like skiing. Renting is fine in the beginning and is a good way to familiarize yourself with all kinds of gear, how it actually works and what you actually need. Once you do, however, you will probably want to kit up. Some things to consider for the future:

Travel

I have my own gear and I bring it. It is a huge and heavy bag, but I do it for reasons listed below. Many people travel with nothing but their certification card, some carry only small essential things, like mask and computer. Diving locally you might want to get equipped sooner.

Fit and hassle

This concerns wearables in particular: finding rentals that fit is a game of chance. Suits and jackets are all made differently and some will fit you better than others. Some will have specific features you might like. Being randomly uncomfortable in rentals, getting used to new gear every time, wasting time picking them out — all of that is fine at first, but will get old fast. Once you get that one suit that really fits you'll be set for a long time.

Your gear is your own. You can splurge a little and get the nicer things. For me it's about having my own gear configured, adjusted and set up exactly how I like it.

A fellow diver once said: Diving is so unhygienic — we spit in our masks, we pee in our wetsuits and we throw up in our regulators. All true! While you shouldn't let it deter you from renting or buying a used wetsuit, you may prefer to pee into your own. Not to worry, you will stop caring soon enough.

Maintenance

Dive gear requires maintenance. The rental shop will take care of theirs, that could be a good or a bad thing. If you rent, learn to inspect it. A loose dump valve cap, for example, could be a bad surprise.

Essentials

Helpful rules to remember:

• Once it's wet it's yours. No refunds, with very few exceptions.
• Initial investment will seem high — do not be put off by this. Some of the items listed below are worth it.
• The price ranges are for new equipment. Used can be had for considerably less.

Mask: $25-$100

This is one thing you can safely buy right away, and the most crucial one to get to fit properly. Few things will make you more miserable than a leaky mask.

Check the fit by gently holding mask to your face, sucking the air out through the nose and closing the back of your throat: the mask should stay on for a while. Still, a mask will fit differently once in the water. See if they let you try it in the pool.

Things look unusual in the water: bigger, closer and not where you expect to find them when turning your head. The BIG masks don't really add anything, because of water-to-air refraction (ever stand in front of a huge aquarium?). If anything, the larger mask confuses me. You think you are seeing more while your field of vision is still just as narrow as with a smaller mask, and much narrower than it appears. That is why, after losing my Hollis M-1 (a great mask), I am now using a tiny Technisub Micromask.

Smaller volume masks are better. Large masks will bounce on your head and are more prone to getting ripped off by the current (or your buddy's fin!).

Black vs. clear silicone: black. With the clear skirt the light spillage from the sides makes it harder to see the things in front you. This is especially noticeable in low light situations. Also, some people say black silicone is softer — I don't know personally.

Framed vs. frameless: I have spent too much time thinking about that, don't. For you it won't matter much. The difference is chiefly that a frameless mask folds flat for storage in a pocket, as a spare (you probably won't need one just yet).

Purge valves: stay away, they are useless.

Bottom line: fit is everything. If the only mask that fits is the most expensive one in the store, get it.

Computer: $200-$1000+

While you might not need one at first (the first few dives will likely be shallow and well within the no decompression limits), this is the thing that tracks your theoretical nitrogen loading/oxygen toxicity and tells you much play time you have left until your theoretical NDL. They also log your dives electronically, nice.

Why do you need a dive computer? If you haven't heard the soda bottle analogy yet, your tissues dissolve gas (mostly nitrogen, oxygen is metabolized) proportional to ambient pressure. As the pressure changes slowly this on-/off-gassing happens gradually. But, should the pressure drop too low too fast, the dissolved gas can form expanding bubbles (otherwise it leaves the body dissolved via the bloodstream and through the lungs). This is Decompression Sickness (DCS). It can cause pain, injury and death; and must be prevented.

Exactly how body tissues behave in changing pressures is the subject of Decompression theory. When divers talk about dive profiles they are describing pressure exposure. The profiles are used to calculate DCS risks. A dive computer constantly monitors the diver's profile and is able to calculate more accurate and longer safe bottom times.

Your computer stays with you and remembers what you did yesterday, and the day before, and the day before. This really starts to matter on consecutive dives, especially deep ones. Your recent dive history and current residual load will be unique and different from everyone in your group — that is why you should not share or borrow them. Do 2 afternoon dives and the next morning blowing past your NDL is not so hard, all on a typical rec dive.

Dive computers come in multiple forms and feature combinations. The most basic one will suffice, a used one can be had for even less. Do your research and start learning about decompression theory and various decompression models available in different units.

Features to consider:

• Audible/visible warnings: nice features for the entry level diver, but do not rely on them, they are very easy to miss. You will have to learn to monitor your instruments yourself.
• Wrist or console: wrist.
• Wireless air pressure monitoring: if you want, I don't. This adds air pressure to your computer's screen (but you already have it on your SPG) and your computer's dive log (can be nice). Some computers can also sound alarms if your pressure gets low or consumption raises too much.
• Upgrade path: there is a good chance your OW certification is just the beginning. At some point you might need a feature your computer does not have, meaning an upgrade.
• Nitrox: definitely yes. You will very likely certify for this next.
• Gas switching: probably not yet. By that time you will probably want a different computer.
• Gauge/bottom timer mode: yes.
• Decompression algorithm: yes, you do need to learn this stuff. Some models are more conservative than others — that means shorter bottom times but also lower DCS risk. DCS risk is not to be taken lightly and there are many factors at play which you won't even know right away (and some are still undiscovered!).

I currently dive a Suunto D4i. It's a fantastic machine but if I had to choose again I would have gone with something simpler, cheaper and user serviceable.

Bottom line: nothing wrong with fancier units, but the cheaper/uglier ones work just as well. Also, when you are ready for the next big upgrade you'll probably need a backup. This is where that gauge mode comes in handy.

Exposure: varies

Exposure protection keeps you warm and scratch-free. You may develop a different preference, but I want as much of myself covered as possible.

• Wetsuit: can't go wrong with 3-5mm for the tropics ($100-$150), thicker for colder waters. Do not be deluded by the warm tropical water: if it's colder than your body it will draw heat away. Full length suit is good — the stuff on the bottom scrapes, cuts and stings. Some people do a thinner suit and a shorty or a hooded vest on top. Much of my early diving has been in +29C water and not once have I regretted having a 5mm suit.

  My first wetsuit was a Cressi Castoro, it was the cheapest thing in the store. It worked well, but after getting in and out 50 times I regretted not spending a little more on a suit with wrist and ankle zippers.

• Drysuit is a whole other story ($1000-$4000), beyond the scope of this post. If you don't dive cold (below +23C/74F) and/or don't chill easily, you don't need one.

• Booties: for your open-heel fins to go on to.

• Hood and gloves. A surprising amount of heat is lost through the head, so a hood makes a world of difference. Also helps soften the bump that boat sometimes gives you. And gloves, did I mention things sting?

Trying it on: it really has to fit tight, possibly tighter than you feel comfortable. The suit especially. Neoprene does loosen up considerably in the water and under pressure.

Regulator: $300-$800+

Regulators deliver breathing gas at ambient pressure. Rental regulators are usually dependable, but they might breathe harder than you'd like. The mouthpiece might not be as comfortable as the one you might pick out out yourself.

If buying, you will need at least one first stage, one or two second stages and a Submersible Pressure Gauge. Lots of variety on the market, do your research. I used to own an Aqualung Legend LX, it was very nice and very expensive. Now I have a pair of HOGs that are even nicer, for 1/3 of the cost. I did my research.

In sport diving the alternate second stage is called an octopus. Many package deals include an octopus of lower quality than the primary first stage, the rationale being that the octopus is something you rarely use, so why spend more. I believe both second stages should be identical. In a real out-of-air emergency switching to a harder breathing regulator will mean additional stress.

Regulators must be serviced annually ($30-$40).

Gas analyzers: $250-$400 each

Yes, they are expensive and yes, you want them. Breathing wrong or bad gas will easily kill you. Chances of getting bad gas are slim, but mistakes and malfunctions do happen. Dying from something entirely preventable because you didn't check what's in your tank is a stupid way to go.

For diving Nitrox you are required to test the oxygen content of your own tanks, for this you need an O₂ analyzer. Often the dive shop will have one to lend you, but you cannot always rely on that. Even if you don't dive Nitrox, every gas has a maximum operating depth exceeding which can lead to drowning. You want to always ensure you weren't handed a wrong bottle by accident.

A carbon monoxide analyzer will alert of you of dangerously high CO levels in your gas. There are several ways for CO to end up in your gas, and there is always a chance. Breathing CO causes headaches, confusion and blackouts leading to drowning.

Analyzers will require replacement sensors eventually. Mine are made by Analox.

Fins: $100

Many innovative designs to stay away from. Some classic designs to consider:

• Mares Avanti Quattro: great all around fin. My first fins with 70 dives on them (I have the Superchannel version). With heavy use the rubber insets can start tearing.
• DiveRite EXP and XP: stiff and powerful. My next fin, for handling stronger currents (the Mares are a little too floppy in comparison).
• OMS Slipstream, Turtle fins, Jet fins, etc.: highly regarded fins, don't see these often in recreational diving.

Spring straps are an amazing investment.

BC: $200-$1000+

Buoyancy Compensator Devices (BC or BCD) are one of the tougher choices, and probably the one thing you can put off the longest — until you really know what you want. They are not cheap, the choices are many and their differences are not easy to evaluate.

The common styles are:

• Jacket BCs are most common, that's what you usually get in rentals. They are the easiest to learn and use. They are bulky, hard to trim and they squeeze you from the sides when inflated. They are designed keep your head above the water on the surface, with zero effort on your part (good if you're unconscious).

• Back inflate BCs are a crossover between jackets and a proper wing harness. Compared to jackets they offer more freedom in the water, they don't get in the way and they are much easier to swim in. They are easy to trim perfectly, when your center of buoyancy matches your center of gravity and nothing is flipping you into any particular orientation — you are truly weightless. On the surface they will tend to flip you face down, because the lift is in your back. This is easily countered by laying on your back, but it's a task you have to perform.

• Harness, backplate and wing is a modular and highly configurable system consisting of a rigid backplate, nylon webbing and a wing which provides lift. Used mostly in technical diving. The system is highly adaptable and can support single tanks, doubles, stages, etc.. The components are individually replaceable and the system will last forever. You can put one together on the cheap. It can be very light and compact for travel.

• Sidemount BC is a soft harness with a wing designed for sidemounting tanks. Some sidemount BCs are hybrid, capable of back-mounting single and double tanks.

If you never ever venture past OW diving, the first two options will work and the choice is determined by your comfort (I would stay away from jackets just because back-inflates dive much nicer). A BP/W system will still dive nicer, last longer and grow with you, but it does take some effort and skill to adapt to and nobody teaches them in OW training. Unless, of course, you decide to sidemount, then a sidemount technical harness is your better option.

After diving rental jackets my first BC was an aluminum backplate with Oxycheq wing with 30 lbs of lift, it's fantastic. Going to sidemount required an upgrade — Hollis SMS100, modified by Edd Sorenson of Cave Adventurers.

Conclusion

There is always more gear to have, but this list should cover the most essential and costly things. If you look for deals and buy used, you could be diving in your own gear for under 1K.

There is nothing wrong with sexy gear, just remember to not make that the deciding factor. DIY has always been the way of diving, and there is still much of that today. The most functional dive gear is usually unsexy and unglamorous: boltsnaps, zipties and scratched up fins.