Undoubtedly one of the best ocean activities in Australia, scuba diving dates back to the second world after which it slowly gained popularity. After 1960, Australia formed a national body that governs the underwater activities to this day and sets the standard equipment for use such as safety goggles and rebreather sets. The great barrier reef isn’t the only famous spot as Australia has some of the best scuba diving spots spread throughout the country. But like all water activities, this one too comes with a set of standard equipment that is to be used and equipped. Do understand that all this is for the divers own safety and without these essentials, it’ll be difficult to even start. Take a look at some of the must-have essentials when going scuba diving:
- Diving Mask: A diving mask consists of fully sealed safety goggles followed by a nose cover. The safety goggles are tightly sealed as human eyes are beer accustomed to saltwater. Clean and sealed goggles allow the diver to take in the breathtaking underwater environment without any difficulty. Be sure to buy one that fits correctly when placed and prevents any water from leaking into the eye area.
- Diving Fins: What’s a fun diving session without any fins for movement? Being an important component of any diving gear, fins mimic the fish movements to guide or steer the diver through the ocean. Scuba fins come in different shapes and sizes in the Australian market so feel free to choose something comfortable to work with.
- Wetsuit: A wetsuit is a rubber bodysuit that is a bit heavy but will do a great job in protecting the skin. Being made of synthetic rubber, it also keeps the body warm during underwater trips. Thicker suits are usually purchased for colder trips.
- Scuba Tanks: The most important component of any scuba arsenal. It allows the diver to store air to breathe underwater. It’s made up of strong metals like steel or aluminium and people often rent them. But if scuba diving is a common activity, it’s better to invest in a good one individually.
- Snorkel: Beginner divers are always recommended to use a snorkel as a piece of safety equipment. It enables the diver not to waste precious air when underwater.
- Life Support: Life support is a collection of equipment that makes up for the breathing apparatus of the gear along with other useful equipment. They include:
- Regulators: They convert the high-pressure air into the desired pressure for the diver to breathe easily. It connects the cylinders to the mouthpieces and has backup gauges in case of emergencies.
- Dive Computer: It keeps track of how long the diver was underwater. It also tracks how deep they are and how long they can stay at that particular depth.
- Gauges: There are two main types of gauges: one for depth and the other for pressure. Depth gauges record the depth and pressure shows the total amount of gas left in the tank.
- Compass: Underwater can be a dark place with low visibility, especially when going for deeper dives. Even with safety lights, it is important to navigate properly so that the divers are aware of their locations at all times.
All these mentioned components often come as a single set which makes it easier to use or purchase.
- Buoyancy Compensator: It is a device that prevents the diver from floating or sinking to the bottom. It is a vest that is worn and has an internal fillable space for air to regulate or change the diver’s depth.
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