Scuba Equipment List: From Beginner to Advanced

Whether you’re new to diving or a seasoned pro, every dive and diver is different. Our scuba equipment list is meant to help you become a better diver. While most of the products listed above can be applied universally, choosing the specific product for you will vary depending on your activity and skill set. For specific gear recs for travel diving, tech diving, cold water diving, and even snorkeling and freediving, check out SCUBAPRO’s Buying Guide and start planning your next underwater adventure.

The below list is an overview of gear, but be sure to consult your local SCUBAPRO dealer for the right gear to match your dive plans.

 

Scuba Checklist

Essentials

• Buoyancy Control Device (BCD)
• A regulator, like an Octopus Reg or an Air2 that comes with your BCD
• Mask
• Snorkel
• Wetsuit
• Defog
• Fins and booties
• Surface Marker Buoy
• Dive weight, if local diving
• Dive Computer

Advanced

• Diving Knife
• Surface Marker Buoy
• Dive Light
• Tank Bangers
• Compass

Accessories

• Writing Slates
• First Aid Kit
• Dry box
• Snorkel
• Underwater Camera

 

Scuba Diving Equipment List - A Deeper Dive

Scuba Tank (Essential)

A scuba tank—sometimes referred to as a diving cylinder—allows you to store compressed air or specialized gas mixtures. Tanks are made from steel or aluminum and have a pressure rating of around 2000 to 3500 psi. The air that you will need to breathe when diving will be in this tank.

Regulator (Essential)

A regulatoris a piece of equipment that makes it possible for you to breathe the compressed air from your scuba tank. It converts the highly pressurized air into ambient pressure, allowing you to breathe. A regulator comes with two parts: first stage and second stage. The first stage connects to the tank that you wear on your back, and the second stage is what you put in your mouth. Comfort is critical here, so pick a regulator that makes you feel secure in the water.

Finally, you’ll want to add a Scuba Octopus to act as your backup breathing apparatus in case of emergency. SCUBAPRO’s Air2 backup regulators are available as an add-on in some of their BCDs, like the X-Black Buoyancy Compensator Device.

Diving Mask (Essential)

A diving mask will be your eyes when you’re underwater. The best kind of diving mask is one that fits well, is comfortable, and lets you easily see underwater. One tip to help find a mask that fits well is to hold the mask lightly against your face and breathe in slightly with your nose. This will create a gentle suction and hold the mask in place. If this doesn't work or is not comfortable, the mask may not fit well.

Wetsuit or Drysuit (Essential)

A well-fitting wetsuit can be the difference between a great dive and a horrible dive. A wetsuit that is too tight will make it difficult to move around in the water. On the other hand, a wetsuit that is too loose can let water in and you could be cold and uncomfortable. The ideal wetsuit should fit like a second skin, not too tight, but free of any gaps or folds. Flexibility is important, too, you need to be able to stretch your body in the water.

Different from wetsuits, drysuits create a watertight seal and allow you to layer dive-specific undergarments based on the thermal protection desired. Generally, divers convert from wetsuits to drysuits if they are regularly diving in cold water or for extended periods of time. Choosing a drysuit is a personal preference, but before you choose, consider what type of diving you do, the amount of thermal protection you need, and what material best suits you. Getting your drysuit certification is recommended. This certification tests the essential skills that a drysuit diver needs to know, such as venting, finding the compressor hose, and disconnecting the inflator.

Fins (Essential)

Fins give you control of your movement and let you glide through the water with agility. There are variety of fins available on the market, all used in different scenarios. For example, full foot fins are used in warm water. Open heel fins may be used in either warm or cold water, but booties are required.Just like with every other essential scuba diving equipment, comfort is key here.

Buoyancy Control Device (BCD) (Essential)

A buoyancy control device is used to achieve and maintain neutral buoyancy throughout the dive. It’s a jacket that you wear during your dive that helps you manage your buoyancy. Many BCDs include integrated weight pockets, eliminating the need for a separate weight belt. SCUBAPRO’s Selector Tool can help you decide what kind of BCD is right for you.

Surface Marker Buoy (Essential)

A Dive knives typically have either a sharp edge or a serrated edge and they are most commonly used by divers to free themselves if they become trapped in fishing lines, underwater plants, etc. They’re not just useful for cutting things underwater, either—they’re also useful to get the attention of a fellow diver by tapping the back of the handle on your tank.

For serious divers, they are an indispensable tool that come in a variety of styles and sizes and are useful items to keep in your dive bag. A dive knife can be stored in your BCD or strapped to one of your limbs, just make sure it’s in an easily accessible place in case you need to use it.

Take a look at the variety of knives out there to help you decide which dive knife is best for you.

Dive Lights (Advanced)

For those who have more than a few dives under their belt, dive lights provide critical lighting when scuba diving at night or swimming through caves or crevices. They’re helpful during daytime dives as well, bringing out more vibrant color in the sea.

Tank Bangers (Advanced)

Tank bangers help to improve your underwater communication. They are elastic bands with hard materials attached that you can wrap around your scuba tank. Essentially, they are used to make noise. This helps to get your fellow divers’ attention.

Dive Compass (Advanced)

While most likely not needed for beginner dives, a dive compass is something that advanced divers should add to their scuba gear checklist. Most diving compasses are built into your dive computer or console, and are used to navigate during the dive.

Writing Slates (Accessories)

Writing slates are plastic underwater notepads with unique water-friendly pencils. Writing slates are used for communication to other divers or to write down specific details about a photo, a dive, a location, or anything else you may want to write down. Writing slates are available in different sizes, from wrist slates to larger magnetic slates.

First Aid Kit (Accessories)

A first aid kit is an important accessory to have with you on a dive. Keep it somewhere easily accessible on the boat, or nearby if you are shore diving. A good first aid kit contains topical ointments, pain and allergy medications, bandages, and other wound care items.

Dry Box (Accessories)

A dry box is a waterproof box that divers can use to store their valuable items like keys, money, or similar things. It’s lightweight at 4 oz, and can be taken with you while diving. Dry boxes help divers feel better knowing that their valuables aren’t on a boat or the beach where passersby could nab them.

Dry Bag (Accessories)

Similar to dry boxes, dry bags are waterproof bags that protect items and keep them from water, dust, and sand while out on diving tours or other outdoor adventures. These bags can hold anything from fins to beach towels to cameras. They come in a variety of sizes and are great to use on the dive boat.

Snorkel (Accessories)

Snorkels are required during dive certification. They’re a great tool for keeping ocean spray out of your mouth on the surface and for snorkeling with or without your tank.

Underwater Camera (Accessories)

An underwater camera is by no means an essential tool, but it is a fun one. Capturing marine flora and fauna and the incredible underwater sights is a very rewarding part of diving. There are many underwater cameras to choose from, and it’s up to each diver to decide what works best for them. Divers using GoPro cameras can mount them with waterproof cases like the GoPro Dive Mask Mount, allowing them to be hands free while taking underwater pictures or videos.

 

Dive Gear for All Occasions

Whether you are building up your diving gear collection or planning a scuba trip, you need a list to make sure you have all of your bases covered. Use this list of essential tools, advanced equipment, and handy accessories to customize your dive.