Private Scuba › Diving Information › Equipment
Scuba equipment is available in a myriad of styles, colours, and purposes. The type that works best for you will depend on your preferences, the type of diving that interests you, and where you will be diving.
Although recreational scuba diving has been around for more than fifty years, most recently has dive gear become reliable, effective, and affordable.
Most active divers prefer to have their own basic scuba equipment for personal comfort, reliability, and choice.
This section is a guide for Scuba Divers and Snorkelers who are looking to buy Scuba Diving Gear and Dive Accessories (e.g. from our Pattaya Dive Shop).
If you would like to buy scuba gear from the list below, please contact our team for further details and a total price for the item selected (including postage and packaging).
Simply choose the item of Dive Equipment from the list below, and 'click' to go directly to the description for that particular piece of equipment and the prices. Each category has detailed gear reviews, prices, and pictures.
Thankfully, recreational divers don't use the same scuba equipment that deep sea divers used many years ago, such as the big brass helmet and lead boots.
The history of scuba equipment has been explained in many online information guides and forums.
But, we shall concentrate our reviews on the modern scuba gear basics which include a list of manufacturers’ equipment brands and styles that are available for diving adults and children.
Scuba gear manufacturers, especially in the UK and USA have recently made cheap diving equipment packages more accessible to divers who are searching for discount prices and great deals for sale.
Another surprising place to search for new and used scuba gear is eBay, where you may find cheap, quality men and women’s dive gear at reduced prices for those who are more concerned about the cost.
Modern basic scuba gear consists of;
There are many scuba equipment manufacturers that offer a huge selection of different makes and models with varying levels of quality and price range.
But our scuba gear checklist and terms are aimed at beginner divers who need advice about what type, and how and where to buy scuba equipment.
The scuba diving unit can be bought altogether or separately.
Even so, though it should be noted that scuba tanks and weights are normally provided for rent by the dive center and you could encounter problems if you plan to travel on public transport with heavy and bulky scuba cylinders.
One of the cheapest scuba items to purchase first, would be a dive mask and snorkel. We usually recommend divers to buy their own mask as soon as possible because rental masks tend to be used by many different divers and rarely provide a clean, comfortable fit.
The scuba wet-suit is generally worn for thermal protection and comes in many different thicknesses ranging from 0.5 mm up to 7 mm.
Diving fins are available in a complete range of styles, sizes, colors and varying degrees of power depending upon the model worn.
Buoyancy Control Devices (BCD's) have become affordable and durable and divers will benefit from owning a buoyancy controller that is familiar and comfortable when diving underwater.
Finally, an essential part of modern scuba gear is the regulator which is used by the diver to breathe compressed air from inside the tank.
The scuba regulator reduces the high pressure air from the cylinder, which allows divers to inhale and exhale normally at depths ranging from one meter to the maximum limit of PADI recreational scuba diving - 40 meters.
> Accessories for Scuba and Dive Gadgets
Log Books, Clips & Retractor Reels, Floats and Flags, Dry Bags, Scuba Kit Bags, First Aid Kits, Dive Knife, Navigation Tools, Torches, Lift Bags,
BCD Jackets, Wings, Kids BCD's
> Cameras and Waterproof Video Devices
Re-usable Cameras, Waterproof Cameras, Underwater Video Cameras
> Fins for Diving and Snorkeling
Open-heeled, Full-foot, Snorkeling Fins
> Maintenance and Equipment Care
Cleaning, Storage, Repairs
Single Lens, Prescription Lens Masks, Liquid Mask, Full-face Mask, Snorkel Tubes
Balanced Regs, Pressure Gauges, Depth Gauges, Alternate Air Sources, Dive Computers
> Scuba Cylinders and Tank Valves
Tanks, Valves
Weight Belts, Integrated Weight Systems, Pouches, Lead Weights
> Wetsuit and Neoprene Products
Shorty Wetsuits, Full-length Wet Suits, Boots, Gloves, Hoods, Beanies, Dry Suits
There is more than one way to customise scuba equipment to make it more identifiable. Here are some simple tips for marking your dive gear:
Pro Tip: AquaLung are scuba equipment suppliers and one of the leaders that produce interchangeable styles with the covers and colourful Miflex hoses.
A scuba buoyancy control device (BCD) is an inflatable jacket used by divers to control their position in the water.
The information in this section explains the basic BCD setup procedures and what special features to look for when buying a new BC.
Are you a diver looking for gas efficiency improvements and longer dives? If yes, that is what a rebreather can do for you.
Click through to learn the basics about rebreathers, including why they are popular, how they function, and how the features differ to those used in open-circuit scuba diving.
There are several reasons why some divers prefer diving with a cylinder configured along each side of their body, instead of on the back.
This section explains the basics about sidemounts, such as why some divers say sidemount diving is better, and how the setup differs to a traditional scuba cylinder and BCD.