Scuba diving is something that cannot be done with out equipment. If you are thinking of taking it up you are probably wondering how much it will cost. Also, if you have ever stepped foot inside a dive shop, you might be forgiven for finding the array of equipment on offer rather daunting.

This page currently gives an indication of what you will need to buy, how much it might cost and when you should be looking to buy it. As time goes on we will be adding explanations that will hopefully provide some answers to any equipment related questions that you may have.

Something that should always be borne in mind is that that once you are comfortable with your kit it should be something that enables you to dive, not the reason for your diving.



Click on the image for a more detailed picture Mask ?25~?40 and ?75~100 for a mask with prescription lenses
A Mask will be one of the first things that you need to buy. We can lend you one for the first couple of lessons of the Ocean Diver course. However, as each face is individual, you will find that a mask that you have chosen will probably fit rather better than a 'standard' one that we might lend you. If you regularly wear glasses you will probably benefit from having prescription lenses fitted in to your mask. Some masks allow 'off the peg' prescriptions to be fitted whereas others need to have lenses bonded on to the face plate(s).




Click on the image for a more detailed picture Fins ?30~?100
We can lend you some fins for your first couple of lessons in the pool but you will find that having your own will be more comfortable.
In the pool we generally use fins that have a shoe-like foot pocket. While these are often used in the open water in warmer climes, they are generally considered unsuitable for open water use in the waters around the UK and Northern Europe. In cooler climes and where any amount of walking over rough surfaces, such as rocks, may have to be done a diver will generally wear either a dry suit with fitted boots or wet-suit booties. This will necessitate that they use fins that have an open foot pocket where the foot is held in to the fin by an adjustable strap. You will have to obtain a pair of these fins before you commence your Ocean Diver open water training.



Click on the image for a more detailed picture Snorkel ?5~?25
A snorkel, which can be very basic, is required for your initial sessions in the pool.



Click on the image for a more detailed picture Regulator ?100~?400
We will be issuing you with set of regulators for the duration of your Ocean Diver course and so there is no need to rush out and buy a set. If, however, as you progress through the course, you feel that you would like to learn to dive with the kit that you will dive with in the future, we will happily advise you on what you should be looking for generally and how much you might expect to pay.




Click on the image for a more detailed picture Thermal Protection - Wet Suit or Dry Suit ?50~?1000
The swimming pool in which we conduct pool sessions is heated. The lessons, however, as involve an element of remaining stationary whilst instruction is being given, some people find it worthwhile investing in a 3mm 'shorty' wet suit for extra warmth. Others are quite comfortable in just a t-shirt over their normal swimming costume.
When the time comes for the open water sessions at the end of the Ocean Diver course we will loan you with a 'semi dry suit'. This is a type of wet suit that lets very little water flush through. However, you will need to provide yourself with a pair of wet suit booties and probably some wetsuit gloves. These will cost about ?20 each.
After you have qualified you may well find that a relatively cheap semi-dry suit more applicable to your needs than the more popular but more complicated and expensive dry suit.



Click on the image for a more detailed picture Cylinder ?100 ~?190
We will be providing you with a cylinder for the duration of the Ocean Diver course. It will come with a 'fill' of air. Throughout the duration of the course it will be your responsibility to ensure that it has enough air in it for lessons.
Different people consume air at different rates and so it is probably not worth considering what size of cylinder to get until you have at least neared the completion of your course.



Click on the image for a more detailed picture Buoyancy compensator ?100 ~?500
We will be providing you with a Buoyancy Compensator (BC) for the duration of your Ocean Diver course and so there is no need to rush out and buy one. If, however, as you progress through the course, you feel that you would like to learn to dive with the kit that you will dive with in the future, we will happily advise you on what you should be looking for generally and how much you might expect to pay.




Click on the image for a more detailed picture Weights ?20 ~?100
The kit issued to you at the start of the Ocean Diver course will include a weight belt and weights. It is probably not worth your investing in weights until you have decided what Buoyancy Compensator you will be buying as many current models include the facility for integrated weights.



Click on the image for a more detailed picture Knife/cutter ?20 ~?100
You will not require this on the Ocean Diver course. This is a purchase that can wait until you venture in to the open water.



Click on the image for a more detailed picture Surface detection; Flags, SMBs, DSMBs and EPIRB's ?20 ~?270
You will not require this on the Ocean Diver course. This is a purchase that can wait until you venture in to the open water.



Click on the image for a more detailed picture Computer ?150 ~?800
You will not require this on the Ocean Diver course. This is a purchase that can wait until you venture in to the open water.