Buying dive kit - what is what!

Fins

There are 2 main types of fins; those that you wear bare footed - known as full foot fins, and those that you wear with boots - known as adjustable fins.  But what's the difference between them?

Full foot fins are lighter and not as powerful as adjustable fins so we tend to wear them for snorkelling or in the swimming pool rather than for sea diving. Because you put your foot straight in to the fin there's no warmth, so your tootsies can get a bit chilly in the slightly cooler climes of the UK sea! But they can be great for holidays as they're light and smaller than the adjustable fins. Buy the same size as your normal shoe size, but do make sure they aren't too big, you don't want them falling off. So they should be snug but not so tight that they pinch your toes.

Adjustable fins. With these you also need boots - either wetsuit boots, rock boots or the boots from your dry suit. Bigger and more powerful than the full foot fin they will be the ones you see the most in this country as because of the boot they are warmer! The fit is simpler as they are adjustable (!) so tend to be in S, R (regular or medium) L and XL. Do make sure your boots fit in the foot pocket of the fin - especially if you're buying rock boots or a dry suit, as some dry suits in particular have very wide boots. Most adjustable fins these days come with spring straps. These are fabulous as they are so much easier to get on and off. If your fins come with ordinary rubber straps you can buy spring clips separately and fit them yourself.

To check out our fins click here

Masks and snorkels

The single most important thing about a mask is fit.  There is nothing worse than a mask that leaks, it WILL spoil your dive.  This sounds mad, but don't look at the price to start with (yes I know we'd say that wouldn't we... but honestly it really is true). Try on a variety of masks before you start to look at the price tag, if you buy one that is uncomfortable or simply isn't the right shape for your face you will absolutely regret it!

Apart from fit, get one you like the look of - it's going to be in all the underwater pictures of you!  If you need prescription lenses you will need the twin-lens style, but if that's not an issue then the single lens variety tends to let in more light.  Again it's absolutely personal choice.

Snorkels are a much-maligned piece of dive kit, but they are pretty simple.  A rule of thumb is that the more expensive ones do clear more easily. Buy one that matches your mask!

To look at our masks and snorkels click here

Suits

Again think about where you are going to be diving.

'Holidays only in the warmest of warm water'.  Then a shorty will suffice.  This is a neoprene suit (usually 3mm thick) with short sleeves and legs.  It'll keep you warm enough for dives of up to about 45 minutes in water over about 25 degrees.

'Holidays and summer in the UK' Then you will need a 5mm or more 'full suit'.  Long sleeves and long arms.  They come in 3mm up to  7mm, clearly the thicker the warmer you'll be and the longer your dives will be.  Travelling with a 7mm is tricky if you want to take other gear as they are thick, but you can dive with them year round!

'UK because it's AWESOME!'  This is where we all sit, obviously!  And to truly enjoy your UK diving you will a dry suit and an under-suit. A drys suit works by having seals at the neck and wrists and has integral boots.  No water gets in so you stay dry and warm! The under-suit adds a layer of warmth. 

BCDs

2 types of BCD and the choice is really down to preference - wing style or jacket style.  

Both do the identical job of keeping you buoyant on the surface and neutral underneath!  The wing style has all the buoyancy at the back and is great for being kept in the right position underwater but can be trickier on the surface.  

The jacket style has all round buoyancy and as a consequence has more pockets and places to keep things. Keeps you more upright on the surface. 

Generally speaking the jacket style is heavier and bulkier so not as good for travelling but is also better for diving in places where you need knives, torches, SMBs and reels in your pockets.

To look at our BCDs click here

Dive computers

Stay safe, maximise your dive time and know how long you've got left underwater.  All of this and a LOAD more is what your dive computer can do for you.  My greatest tip is to ALWAYS get one that is a better diver than you are.  You will grow into it.

Really the choice is about wrist or console mounted (wrist is easier to see) and do you want to wear it as a very smart watch or do you just want it for diving.  Budget and personal preference will come into this.

To look at our dive computers click here