Scuba Dive Gear Blogsphere

Putting on Scuba Gear is not that difficult, it just takes a bit of getting used to! It can be heavy, cumbersome and difficult to adjust once it is in place, but enter the water and the weight lifts off it, your glide through the water and it all becomes a dream. But this dream will not last for long if the gear is not worn correctly! Water can get in to places it should not and at worst it could malfunction and end the dive, even putting your life in danger.

Always remember - As a learner or beginner, if in doubt get the dive leader to check out your gear. They will not mind, as long as you are not asking at 30m...

Exposure Suit
Firstly, the exposure suit. Whether it is a dry suit or a wet suit, it is there to protect you from scratches and the cold. Whichever you are using it is absolutely essential that you put it on with care, making sure not to rip or damage it. Wearers of dry suits should be trained beforehand and that training will include the correct way of donning a dry suit.

Mask, Fins & Snorkel
Obviously, these do not go on at kitting up if you have to walk to the dive site first! Put them somewhere easy to carry and listen to when the dive leader wants you to put them on. Sometimes you will be told to put them on before entering the water, other times after.

Make sure the straps are tight enough to keep the equipment in place, but not so tight that it is digging in and feeling uncomfortable.

Regs and Gauges
Check your o-rings and attach these to your dive cylinder and then slowly turn the air on. It is an old piece of advice and not necessarily relevant to today's gear, but make sure that the gauges are not pointing to anyone as you slowly turn on the air.

If you hear any strange whistles, or other signs of escaping air, turn off the air supply, vent it through the regs and check the fitting. It could be that an o-ring is not in place, is damaged or just too dry.

Weights
How this is handled depends on your weight system. If you are using a basic weight belt, make sure your exposure suit is zipped up enough, lift your weight belt into position and then lean forward so that the weight rests on your back. You can then fasten the belt tightly - enough to keep it in place but not so much that you cannot breathe!

Buoyancy Aid
Attach your cylinder securely, turn on your air supply and with some assistance, as the set-up is by now very heavy, lift it onto your back. Again, a tilt forward to take the weight onto your back helps getting this into position.

Make sure at this point that the weight belt is not blocked. It must be able to be released without removing the buoyancy aid if needed. If you are using weight pockets, then this might be the best time to insert them.

Then it is time to buddy check the gear and enjoy the dive!

Written by Keith Lunt, PADI Rescue Diver and owner of http://www.godiving.org. Feel free to call into our diving blog for more useful diving hints and tips.