Like any sport, in scuba diving, your equipment is important to your performance. However, unlike sports such as tennis or baseball, scuba diving equipment not only allows you to perform better, it also keeps you safe and sound. When you choose to go scuba diving, you are taking a risk. While it is not one of the most dangerous sports out there, any time that you strap on an air tank and head several hundred feet below the surface, you are putting yourself in a bit of danger. Obviously, while under the water you are susceptible to any of the many creatures the live below the oceans surface.
This can include dangerous fish, eels and sharks. You also have to deal with sharp objects that may be below the surface such as coral or scraps of metal left over from ship wrecks. The biggest danger however is not being able to breathe properly under water or coming up to quickly and creating air bubbles in your lungs. Having the proper equipment and knowing how to use it can protect you from almost all of these things. As for the sharks, just keep your fingers crossed.
The first piece of equipment you will need is a wet suit. Wet suits are made of synthetic rubber and are lined with nylon fabric. A wet suit covers your entire body and will serve two purposes. Firstly, it will keep you warm when you are submerged in cold water, it does this by keeping the moisture away from your body, thus helping to regulate your core temperature. The next protection it will provide is against getting scraped or cut by something. If you brush up against coral, a wet suit will provide a barrier between your skin and the sharp object. Flippers are good to have to in order to swim easier.
The next piece of equipment is the most important. As scuba diving takes you down below the oceans surface for long periods of time, you will need to be able to breathe. The oxygen tank is therefore the most indispensable part of your gear. This tank is strapped to the divers back and pumps oxygen directly into your face and eye mask (which are obviously important as well). Depending on the length of your dive, you can get oxygen tanks with varying amounts of oxygen. You should always have a bit more than you need in case of emergencies.
Having the correct equipment will keep you safe and ensure that you have a great time exploring the depths of the ocean!
Sydney Garrison is an avid cyclist and sports enthusiast. She is also a partner in an online bike rack store.
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