The beginning of the dive season is just around the corner, and you are going through your gear in anticipation of a fantastic season of underwater adventures. You start with your scuba diving equipment list and what are the essential items for your next dive. Do you have all you need? If not, which ones to buy? But also, you may want to ask yourself if it is time for an upgrade. Is it time for new fins or a new mask? So, what are the essential pieces of kit for your next scuba adventure?
Scuba Diving Essentials: A Mask Is Key To A Fun Trip
When it comes to scuba diving essentials to take with you, a mask should be one of the first items in your baggage. This is doubly true if you have struggled to find a mask that fits you like a glove. Since, in all likelihood, you will not be able to find a mask that fits you equally well. As a result, you will spend a lot of time clearing a leaky mask. Or worse, you may even give up and do your dives with some water sloshing around the bottom of your mask.
Any good diving experience starts with a well-fitting and snug mask that is comfortable, provides a good view, and does not leak. You can always rent a regulator or BCD from a reputable dive center. However, the situation is not the same with masks. Few dive operators, if any, have a wide range of sizes and models of dive masks, making finding the perfect fit a breeze. Instead, you will be faced with two or three models, and if they are not a perfect fit, then tough luck. That is why your personal dive mask should be the first thing you pack every single time.
Dive Computer: Never Leave Home Without It
Probably the smallest and most compact scuba diving item on the list, and the one most responsible for your safety, is your dive computer. If you only have to take one item, make it your dive computer since it plays a crucial role in ensuring you are safe and conservatively diving within your limits.
Of all the essential bits of dive gear to bring on a trip, the computer makes more sense than any for multiple reasons. First, ask any dive shop for its list of rental gear, and it will be impressive, with everything from masks and fins to BCDs and torches. However, very few have computers for hire; if they do, they have a very limited number. This means you are diving blind and just following your guide or dive buddy, which is not the best idea. Imagine following a car on the highway without seeing your dashboard. Could you drive like this? Yes, but it is a terrible idea. You should always have a computer with you these days when diving.
When it comes to renting a dive computer, you need to remember these are more sensitive electronic devices. You have to ask yourself how well they have been maintained. How heavily used are they? Have they had any knocks or bangs that could damage them? The list of questions that can cast doubt in your mind is virtually endless. So, it is almost always worth bringing your own computer for peace of mind.
Finally, bringing your own computer is not even a chore in most cases. Especially if you have a watch-style dive computer. You don’t even have to put the device in your baggage while you are traveling. Simply wear it as you would wear your normal watch for the duration of the holiday. This leaves valuable space and weight for other essential pieces of scuba diving kit.
Scuba Diving Equipment: A Phone Housing Helps You Capture Your Trip
There is an old saying in diving: if there is no picture, then it didn’t happen! This is especially the case when it comes to seeing bigger, cool things like mantas and whale sharks. Historically, if you wanted to take underwater pictures, you had to invest a ton of money into a camera, housing, lenses, lights, and much more. These cumbersome rigs would set you back a small fortune, which was excessive for a hobby item that is not in everyday use.
Fortunately, today, you don’t have to worry too much about a huge camera rig to take stunning underwater pictures. You can slot your iPhone into an underwater case and take your phone diving with its high-quality camera. ProShot Cases are suitable for diving and snorkeling, with snorkeling cases rated to 15m/50ft and dive cases rated to 40m/130ft. You can also combine the cases in bundles with a host of other accessories to create the perfect underwater image-creation machine! Available bundles include:
ProShot Dive & Red Filter 3 Pack: The entry-level bundle includes the ProShot Dive Universal iPhone Case and a custom Red Filter 3 Pack to add color back into your images. The bundle also includes a protective travel case and floating hand grip for ease of use underwater.
ProShot Dive Case & Dive Light & Red Filter 3 Pack: the perfect bundle for beginners who like to put some color back in their shots, especially video. The bundle includes the ProShot Dive Universal iPhone Case, a ProShot Underwater Dive Light, and a custom Red Filter 3-Pack.
ProShot Dive Case, Camera Tray, & Red Filter 3 Pack: This is the perfect bundle for intermediate photographers or those wanting to shoot more video and add accessories. The Bundle includes a ProShot Dive Universal iPhone Case, Red Filter 3 Pack, and SOLA 2500Dive Light Action Kit.
ProShot Dive Case, Camera Tray, Dive Light, Red Filter 3 Pack: this bundle takes the above bundle to the next level with the addition of a ProShot Underwater Dive Light to the ProShot Dive Universal iPhone Case, Red Filter 3 Pack, and SOLA 2500Dive Light Action Kit.
ProShot Dive Case & SOLA 2500 Action Kit: Our top-of-the-range bundle is perfect for video and photos. The bundle includes a ProShot Dive Universal iPhone Case, Red Filter 3 Pack, and SOLA 2500Dive Light Action Kit. The SOLA lights provide the perfect lighting for a wide range of applications and environments, whether reefs or inside a wreck.
Not Sure Take Our Quiz
Sometimes, making decisions is difficult when there are too many variables. Do you get this or that: new fins, a new mask, or even better, a new housing for your iPhone? Fortunately, at ProShot, we have developed a quiz to make your decision-making much easier.
All you need to do is take the quiz and answer some simple questions, like what kind of activities you do, how experienced you are, and what are some of the pieces of equipment you have. The quiz will then use your answers to determine the best choices for you regarding a scuba diving equipment list.
Final Thoughts
Packing for your next dive trip can sometimes be a dilemma. Take everything you think you need or will want, and you will end up paying a king’s ransom in luggage fees. On the other hand, pare things down too much, and you end up missing critical items that ruin your holiday. The key to fun, safe diving holidays is to dial in your scuba diving essentials list so it is minimalist, has everything you need, and yet is reasonable to pack and carry around.
What do you consider an essential kit for your next dive trip? Let us know in the comments below.
