Purchasing the perfect dive gear can be both exciting and overwhelming.  The list of gear every diver should own is extensive and the upfront cost can seem a bit expensive at first.  However diving for those who have their own gear find SCUBA diving become less and less of a leisurely activity to quickly becoming a lifestyle.  Before you go out there and make the plunge into purchasing your gear please take these things into consideration:

1)      The gear you purchase today should last you a very long time.  Every year diving gear becomes increasingly more resilient and reliable.  Gear made today is designed to last longer and perform better in between servicing.  Period.  Many manufacturers offer warranties on parts when it comes time for your annual service.  Be aware of the cost you can expect to pay on parts or if parts are covered under your warranty.  For each section I will give specific questions you should be able to answer by the time you make your purchase.

2)      You need to find gear that is right for you; you and only you should be diving with your gear so ultimately you are the person that needs to be happy with the gear you have chosen.  Regardless if you plan to dive once a year (I hope this does not apply to anyone reading this!!!) or 500 times a year (now that’s more like it!), you need to find gear to help you perform within your own limits and mature as a diver.  For those unsure of where their diving careers will take them, continuing education through advanced courses and specialties are a great way to go in order to cost effectively find your niche in this amazing lifestyle we participate in.  You will be spending countless hours in your diving gear… be happy in it.

3)      Buy the gear that is right for you!  Am I repeating myself?  I say this because often times people will purchase a piece of equipment because it is on sale as opposed to buying the piece of gear that was made for them.  Also it is a good idea to stay away from used gear.  The reason being is it is difficult to find two divers who have the exact same skill level and needs as divers.  Buy the gear that is right for you also means steer clear of used dive gear!  Anyone who dives long enough meets that one diver who doesn’t take care of their gear.  You never know when that one person you are purchasing gear from was that diver.  As someone who has experience working in a dive shop I can not tell you how saddening it is to turn someone away because the new purchase they were so excited about turned out to be a flop because parts are no longer available for their rig to be serviced.

STRAIGHT FROM MY SOAP BOX!!!!

One more word to the wise.  Dive gear has an expensive upfront cost.  At times it seems like dive shops are charging an arm and a leg for gear.  This often drives people to the internet to pick up the same gear they found at their local mom and pop shop but for cheaper.  Please remember that the internet is a valuable resource for information and products.  There is a lot to be said about the deals a person can find on the internet, however those deals come at a cost to the industry as well as YOU the diver.  By buying your gear from a reputable dive shop you help keep the lifestyle a live and viable by making your purchases from authorized dealers.  When your gear needs to be serviced, or you have questions about your gear, or need someone to dive with, or just need an air fill keep in mind your mom and pop shops are there for you.  Discount dive gear is often times knock off gear that did not meet factory specifications.  As a result the deal you get may back fire when it comes time to service your gear.  Authorized dealers of your scuba gear can only service authorized gear.  There is a reason for the low cost of internet dive gear and it is not low overhead.  Keep that in mind.  One more thing: it costs dive shops as much as 14 dollars an air fill (sometimes even more!) every time you fill your dive tank.  At four dollars a fill your dive shop is losing ten dollars everytime you get a fill.  Dive shops rely on your patronage so that they may share their love and experience in diving with you.  Help them do there job and keep the lifestyle a live!

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