Okay, so you should have all your basic kit by now, time to move onto the more expensive stuff!

BCD

Buoyancy Compensating Device, or Buoyancy Compensator is the device that allows you to control your buoyancy underwater.  They come in two different designs (well there are 3, but you don’t need to know about the 3rd!)  the stab jacket is the type that you will probably have learnt/will learn with as they are the more popular and provide better stability underwater for the inexperienced diver.  They look like a waistcoat and you attach the cylinder to the back of it.

The other type is called the wing.  This inflates just on your back.  There is a fairly obvious disadvantage – if the diver becomes fatigued or unconscious at the surface, the wing will keep the diver face down in the water.  On the positive note, the divers front and sides are kept clear and so allow more movement, and feel less restrictive.  It is worth having a play with a wing, some people get on with it, some don’t!

Regulators

You can usually get packages that include your primary regulator, or second stage, your octopus and your gauges. I’m not going to go into much detail here as I would be sat here all day.  Read some reviews on regulators and talk to your dive instructor about what you’ve been diving with and what would be best for your needs.

It is very important you don’t try to do your regulators on the cheap, get the best ones you can afford and keep them clean and well maintained.  If you don’t use them for a long time get them serviced.  Don’t forget – if you look after your kit, your kit will look after you!

Cylinder

Not much to choose for a cylinder, 12 litre or 15 litre (guys you might want a 15, girlies, I recommend a 12!).  If you go for a 12 litre cylinder you get to choose between tall or dumpy, this does depend somewhat on the length of your back, but also whatever feels best.  If you are using a tall one and your head keeps hitting the first stage when you put your head back, try a dumpy cylinder.

Also it is a good idea to find a way of stamping your name and initials into the top so that you can identify it when you leave it for refills.

Weights

Sometimes weights come as part of your BCD as an integrated weight system – these seem to be getting more popular these days.  If they didn’t come with your BCD, or you don’t like using them (some people don’t!) then you will need to get a separate weight and weight belt.  You have two options here (yes more options I’m afraid!)  one is to get a belt and weight bricks, this allows you to change the amount of weight on your belt relatively easily.  The other option is to get a lead shot belt, which as it moulds to the divers body, can be more comfortable than the bricks.

I have a lead shot belt, but I also have a belt and a brick that I have put on my cylinder.  It helps my weight distribution and allows my weight to be even.  If I put the brick in my pocket, I would probably be swimming around a little wonky!  Just try different things until you find what you like!

Dive Computer

Not really an essential piece of kit, but if you want to stay safe and check you are always doing things right, theyarewell worth the investent.  They can tell you your depth, dive time, water temperature and when and where you have to do stops on the way back to the surface.  When you spend more they can even tell you the amount of air you have left.  Again, I could sit here all day talking about the features – have a look at what is out there and talk to people who already have one – if only to hear their reasons for buying the one the have!

Optional, but highly recommended:

Dive Light

I would highly recommend taking a dive torch with you, even if your dive is in the middle of the day.  As you go down, less visible light gets through the water, so everything takes on a murky bluey greeny colour.  To fully appreciate the colour of coral, wildlife and other things, take a white light torch.  They are also handy for shining into nooks and crannies to check out what might be hiding in there!  If you are diving a night dive, it is a good idea to have a small, cheap backup torch – just in case!

SMB and Reel

Surface Marker Buoy.  These come in 2 flavours – standard or delayed.  The standard SMB is inflated on the surface and is dragged around by the diver wherever they go.  In some places it is mandatory to have one of these out, especially in places where they might be a lot of boat traffic.  It just makes people aware that there are divers down.

The delayed SMB is the sausage shaped one that can be rolled up and put in your pocket till you need it.  Generally divers will put these up at the end of their dive to signal to their dive boat where they will be surfacing.  Orange ones are used for this purpose, but the yellow ones are usually used to show that there is an emergency or that something is wrong.  You will also need a reel – and it is down to personally preference what type of reel you go for, although I would advise against getting something too small!

Please wait until you have had some training before attempting to use a delayed SMB, there are several things that could go wrong and end up dragging you up to the surface, and you could end up in a decompression chamber, which I’ve heard isn’t too fun!

Knife

It is a good idea to have a dive knife strapped to your leg or arm, so you are able to cut yourself away if you get tangledin rope or fishing nets or anything else that might be around.  Even if you don’t usually carry one, I would highly recommend getting one if you dive a wreck!

There are loads more accessories and things you can get, but this is what you need for diving – birthday and christmas presents to yourself are good ways of getting more toys!  I like to give myself mid year presents too….

About the Author: Elyse hopes to be an instructor soon, but until then she will write articles and visit as many different dive destinations in the world as possible. She is currently living in Malta, and loving the new diving on offer.