Dive Gear

Whether you are a new diver or an experienced dive professional, every now and then, you’ll find the need to write something down underwater, be it a quick message to a buddy, the species of fish you’ve encountered, a map of your dive site or some information for your logbook. Here is where various underwater writing devices come into play. Dive slates, scuba notebooks, magnetic boards, and wrist slates are all useful tools that facilitate underwater communication, education, and data collection.

Is there a difference between diving fins for cold and warm water? Can you use one pair for both? We’ll address these questions in the following article. The biggest differences between fins used in warm water and cold water are the style of the foot pocket and, sometimes, the fin’s size and stiffness.

Whether you're into snorkeling, scuba diving, spearfishing or freediving, fins are among the most essential pieces of equipment to have. They help you easily move through the water both on and under the surface. That being said, fins come in a variety of shapes and sizes, each designed for specific conditions and activities. In this article, we’ll share a few key differences between the various types of fins on the market so that you can decide which design will work best for your sport.

All divers are taught how to use dive tables during their scuba course, but with dive computers becoming ever more widespread and affordable, most entrust calculating their safe dive limits to computer algorithms. That being said, very few divers know which algorithm their dive computer uses and what it means for their diving. So, let’s look at the theoretical models behind modern dive computer algorithms, the differences between the different options and the ways you can influence the algorithm.

As we all know, scuba diving is an equipment-intensive sport - you need a tank and a regulator to breathe, BCD and weights help you to adjust your buoyancy, a mask enables you to see clearly, and your fins help you move. Furthermore, in addition to these essential pieces of gear, there are a few “nice-to-have” items, designed to make your dives more comfortable and enjoyable. So today we went in search of top 10 must-have dive accessories. Some of these items simply make your dives easier, while others can be real life-savers in case of an emergency.

As scuba divers, we are very much reliant upon the gear we use, and, sometimes, even a minor equipment malfunction may become a reason you have to miss that long-anticipated dive. So, it is essential to carry a well-stocked save-a-dive kit that will help you handle basic, foreseeable issues and gear hiccups, such as a broken mask strap, dead computer battery or blown O-ring. The exact contents of a save-a-dive kit aren’t universal and will vary depending on the gear you use and the diving you do. Nonetheless, some things will be in most, if not all, kits. Below, you’ll find a list of items that should help you to troubleshoot the most common problems that may arise before, after or during a dive.

A dive knife is a useful tool not only for spearfishermen and technical divers, but for recreational scuba divers as well. This small accessory can make a huge difference in case you get caught in a fishing line, net or seaweed. A knife can also serve as an anchor to the sea bed in heavy current or a ‘tank-knocker’ to get your buddy’s attention. If you are looking to buy a dive knife, it is important to think what you are going to use it for and choose the right tool for the job. So, let us look at the few factors you need to consider to find the knife that will work best for you.

Having a good and reliable dive light is not only crucial for your safety when diving at night, but can also enhance your experience when you explore shipwrecks and other dim-lit areas during the day. Furthermore, in addition to its most obvious task - producing light, a dive torch serves another important purpose. It brings back the color that is filtered out as sunlight passes through the water. Let’s look at a few key factors to consider when shopping for a dive torch.

Most novice divers tend to rent their dive equipment until they get at least a few dives using differing kits under their belt. However, once you really go in for scuba diving and start building your personal gear preference, it makes a lot of sense to purchase your own equipment. Buying a BCD is one of the best investments you can make, as it will help you to become a more comfortable, confident and efficient diver. Learning such little details as where your pockets and D-rings are, how exactly your weight system works, etc. will add to your safety and the overall enjoyment during the dive.