Having just taken up diving I have come to realise just how convenient it is to own your scuba diving equipment. While most dive centres do have basic scuba diving equipment that you can rent, you are never assured of quality, the correct sizes or cleanliness.

It is true that scuba diving equipment is a considerable investment not only because of the cost but also because you need to make sure that the diving equipment is of the highest quality and standard. Not everyone can afford to buy all the scuba diving equipment at once, so here is a list of the basics that you might want to invest in.

• Dry Suits:

To ensure that you stay protected from hypothermia and the elements while diving it is essential that you invest in a good dry suit. The suit should fit you well and be snug enough to keep you warm but should not be too tight. It is important that you find a dry suit that fits you correctly, because a suit that is too large can increase your chances of hypothermia, whereas a suit that is too tight will be restrictive and painful to wear.

• Regulators:

One very important piece of scuba diving equipment is the regulator set. The regulator set consists of the first stage, second stage (both primary and alternate), hoses and sometimes the dive consoles. You can choose to buy these separately or as a set. If you are unable to invest in the whole set at one time then it might be better to purchase the primary second stage first. Having your own primary second stage regulator is beneficial since you know do not have to worry about hygiene or quality. When renting you are never really certain about how hygienic the regulators are since many other people have used them.

• Dive Computers:

Another important piece of scuba diving equipment is the dive computer. Whether you invest in a basic dive computer or one that is state of the art, having your own dive computer is essential. Dive computers are handy at telling you the depth at which you are at, calculating ascent time, dive time, and many more functions. To be an independent diver it is essential that you have a dive computer.

These are just three essential pieces of scuba diving equipment that you can invest in first to ensure that you have comfortable and safe dives. Whether you start with just purchasing one item or all the scuba diving equipment at once it is well worth having your own.