SCUBA GEAR
 

BCD (Buoyancy Compensation Device)
In order to achieve 'neutral' buoyancy (or weightlessness) while in the water a diver will add or dump air from their BCD, the BCD also provides them with a means for ascending or descending. BCD's come in a variety of different forms and prices, a modest BCD begins at about £200.
* My opinion - shoulder release clips, large pockets with zips or Velcro and "built in" weight systems all seem very useful, beware of the "wings design" until your more experienced.

Cylinders
Most divers have several cylinders; this allows them to carry out numerous dives in one day without needing to refill their cylinder between dives, The majority of dive cylinders are now made from steel and come in a variety of sizes from 7 to 15 litre, 200 to 300 bar and standard height or dumpy. All cylinders are subject to regular safety inspections & due to UK strict regulations aluminium cylinders can no longer recommended.
* My opinions - Borrow club cylinders & spend your money on a regulator or BCD, if you want to buy, I recommend a standard or dumpy 12litre 232 bar steel cylinder, 2nd hand cylinders are fine as long as they are "in test"

Personal Dive Computers (PDCs)
Personal Dive Computers are excellent diving tools. They come in a variety of forms including wristwatch or console form (a PDC lecture is given during your SAA training). PDC's provide the diver with valuable decompression information enabling them to plan, execute and analyze their dive. While Dive computers calculate your dive and are very reliable you should always carry backup instruments (depth gauge / watch / bottom timer) in case of PDC failure.
* My opinion - Low priority for the new diver as all early dives will be with an Instructor, save up for when you become a club diver, if you want to buy something a "Bottom timer" makes a cheap stopgap and can then be used as a backup when you buy a PDC.

SMB's (Surface Marker Buoys) & DSMB's (Delayed Surface Marker Buoys)
Marker buoys alert the dive boat & other water crafts to your whereabouts, a SMB is inflated before the dive and is towed around for the duration of the dive, a DSMB is inflated during the dive (usually at the end) and shoots to the surface, SMB's are usually round or doughnut shaped where as DSMB's are sausage shaped, both need a reel with around 50 mtrs of string, the reel should have a ratchet mechanism to prevent the string from spooling off, marker buoys can also assist with your controlled ascent and safety stop,
* My opinion - My DSMB (made by 'Buddy') has a one-way valve which allow it to be inflated on the surface and used as a SMB

 

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