Scuba Diving Adventure » Dive equipment http://www.scubadivingadventure.com The Next Level of Diving - and I don't mean "Techie" Wed, 05 May 2010 13:21:07 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Cheap Dive Gear http://www.scubadivingadventure.com/cheap-dive-gear/ http://www.scubadivingadventure.com/cheap-dive-gear/#comments Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:31:42 +0000 admin http://www.scubadivingadventure.com/?p=52 Everybody is looking for a bargain these days – including cheap dive gear. One word of warning though when it comes to scuba diving equipment. Scuba diving takes place under the water, whether it be in the sea or in fresh water scuba dive sites. It is therefore taking place in an alien environment. It [...]]]> Everybody is looking for a bargain these days – including cheap dive gear. One word of warning though when it comes to scuba diving equipment. Scuba diving takes place under the water, whether it be in the sea or in fresh water scuba dive sites. It is therefore taking place in an alien environment. It is not a dissimilar environment to that found on the moon. Yet I wonder if NASA surfed the web for cheap space suits before the Apollo moon landings?

My point is that scuba diving equipment is life support equipment. Just because you are partaking in a sport for fun does not mean that you can ignore the critical safety issues involved. Your scuba gear is your lifeline and you must be able to depend on it. Cheap scuba gear may – or may not be up to the job.

However, whether your diving equipment is cheap scuba gear or expensive state of the art professional kit, both must be treated in the same way:

1. You must check your scuba gear before every dive.

2.You must clean your gear thoroughly after each dive/diving session and check that it is in good order. Any faults that need fixing or adjustments that need to be made should be done immediately so they are not overlooked until you are ready to go scuba diving again.

3. You must store your treasured diving kit in a secure and well ventilated space. Wet gear can perish easily so do not squash gear into a bag until the next time. Kit strewn about the garage floor can be stepped on and damaged. Mice can ruin the fabric of a dry suit!

4. Most important – get your kit serviced at the appropriate intervals. For example, regulators should be serviced every year as a matter of routine, and at least every 100 dives if you are diving a lot. Cylinders have to be serviced by law of course, otherwise you can not get them filled. However, nobody is there to make you get your other equipment checked out – you and your buddies are the ones at risk if you ignore this important job.

Cheap dive gear might be an excellent way to get started. Second hand scuba gear can be very cheap – for example bought from eBay. Alternatively that expensive top of the range regulator you have your eyes on in the dive shop may well have a faulty 2nd stage – perhaps grit has been allowed to get into the diaphragm during storage – and may free flow when used the first time.

The message is that you must check your gear, whatever it cost, and care for it and maintain it rigorously.

]]> http://www.scubadivingadventure.com/cheap-dive-gear/feed/ 0 Streamline your scuba diving gear http://www.scubadivingadventure.com/streamline-your-scuba-diving-gear/ http://www.scubadivingadventure.com/streamline-your-scuba-diving-gear/#comments Sat, 05 Dec 2009 10:06:56 +0000 admin http://www.scubadivingadventure.com/?p=43 Consider this: I was getting around forty miles to the gallon in my car before I added some roof rails to it. Now I get around thirty five miles to the gallon! Having the extra wind resistance is very costly in the extra fuel I need for my vehicle.

It is the same with scuba diving. [...]]]> Consider this: I was getting around forty miles to the gallon in my car before I added some roof rails to it. Now I get around thirty five miles to the gallon! Having the extra wind resistance is very costly in the extra fuel I need for my vehicle.

It is the same with scuba diving. If you have scuba gear sticking out and hanging off or diving gear that is not essential, you will expend a lot more energy simply swimming along than if you and your scuba diving equipment were more streamlined. It seems obvious yet it is very common for novices to allow their scuba gear to trail along or for more experienced divers to configure their diving kit in a way that adds significant drag to their profile.

The first thing to be considered is “…do I really need this extra bit of diving equipment?…” Do you need three torches, two reels, camera, goody bag, emergency flag, knife and two line cutters, slate and Spare Air for a leisurely sports dive around the bay? Yes, all emergency scuba diving equipment and spare items are essential and should be appropriate for the type of diving you are doing. But consider leaving your 100 watt lantern behind for a summer reef dive!

Assuming that all the equipment you are carrying is necessary, the next thing is to ensure that its configuration is comfortable for use and doesn’t create unnecessary resistance in the water. Having hoses crossing each other creates clutter around the diver and extra drag and so you should take some time to plan the feeds from back to front. Then the hoses and equipment needs to be secured properly to the body in the place where they are to hand when needed. The use of retractable bungees, clips and Velcro can make for a very neat diver who in turn will be more streamlined.

Inappropriate configuration can lead to loose scuba gear that might damage wildlife, or scuba diving equipment that is uncomfortable to wear and use and consequently potentially dangerous. And remember, dragging console mounted  expensive scuba diving computers through a wreck will definitely shorten their life!

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