My Advice To Anyone Looking To Buy Their Own Dive Equipment.
It is really fun to buy new things but if you are not planning for dive trips in your mind already, my advice is to avoid buying your own equipment. If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it: well, you will need to service it every single time to ensure that it is still functioning properly. Additionally, a lot of the better dive centres include gear rental in their dive packages; things have changed a lot since 2010 when I first started and gear rental was never included.
I bought my own dive gear after I was certified as a divemaster and I used it to failure. I dived with it for just over 5 years, travelled around the world with it, and did about 800 dives on it. I had to replace my fins twice, my mask a few more times and my safety sausage as well. And over the last few years, I have only dived with rental gear or borrowed gear.
For safety reasons, I do strongly recommend that you buy the following dive gear:
2-meter SMB (surface marker buoy aka safety sausage) - Not all dive centres will provide one for you and it is better to have it in the unlikely event that you are separated from the group.
Dive Computer - Just a bulky basic one is enough. Again, not all dive centres will provide one for you and if you are diving more advanced dive sites, you will be required to rent one which is at an additional cost.
Noise Maker - In the unlikely event that you get separated, this is very important for calling attention to yourself. You are a drop in the ocean if the boat does not know where you are.
For hygiene, comfort and other recreational use, I do recommend that you own:
Mask and Snorkel - Small and easy to travel with; can be used for snorkelling as well
Dive Booties - Great for walking around in the rain or through rivers on treks
Regulator Mouthpiece - There are personalised ones that form to your bite which makes any regulator comfortable to use.
Thermal top - It is light to travel with, it takes no maintenance, and for most Southeast Asian dive destinations, this is all you need to stay warm. And you are not getting into a wetsuit you know has been peed in at least once, by a stranger.
With some simple math, you can make a fiscal decision about whether buying a full set is worth it to you. My dream set costs around US$1500 in total. Gear rental is about US$30 a day. Flying with check-in luggage will cost you an additional US$100 for a return trip. If you do not have at least one big dive trip (5+ days of diving) and a couple of weekend trips on your wishlist for the next three years, it is hard to justify the cost of buying your own equipment and the inconvenience of storing and maintaining the equipment.
The perks of owning your gear:
In the long run, as an aquaholic, you will save money on gear rental.
It feels like coming home once your personal gear is broken in.
The confidence of knowing that you are the only person to have spit, sweat, and peed on your gear.
The downside of owning gear:
Storage - you need space for at least 30L bag storage
Cleaning and Drying - It takes a lot of time and space to clean your gear with fresh water after every trip.
Maintenance and servicing - If you are not diving regularly, at least every 6 months, it is best for you to get your gear serviced.
Check-in Baggage -Paying for additional or sports equipment check-in baggage and the risk of damage.
Cost - If you do not dive regularly, it will be a waste of money.
As a freelance dive professional, I currently only own a mask, snorkel, fins, booties, and a very old wetsuit. And until I am ready to instruct more regularly again, I doubt that I will buy another full set of equipment.
I hope that you have found this helpful. Prioritise safety, prioritise more diving, and then commit to a full set of equipment.
