| "body"> | | | | There are two main types of scuba sets - |
| Before taking up scuba diving as a recreational sport, | | | | open-circuit and closed-circuit. |
| it is important that you get yourself the necessary | | | | Most scuba divers use standard air - 21% Oxygen, |
| scuba equipment and gear. There are many options | | | | 79% Nitrogen - for their open-circuit scuba sets, |
| available but if you're a beginner, it's best to start | | | | which is much more cost-effective than using |
| from the basics such as the mask, fins, snorkel, and | | | | mixtures such as heliox and trimix. The open-circuit |
| weight belt, then move on to advanced sets later. | | | | scuba set (also known as Aqualung) itself is quite |
| The Basics: | | | | simple so is also cheaper and more popular than other |
| The diving mask allows you to see underwater | | | | types. Basically, the user breathes in from the set |
| through the glass plate in front. Most diving masks | | | | and out to waste, with the gas cylinder worn on the |
| are constructed in such a way that a user can | | | | back. There are 2- and 3 backpack cylinders |
| breathe out into the mask. This prevents the | | | | open-circuit scuba sets available. |
| "squeeze" during the descent caused by pressure. | | | | Closed-circuit scuba sets use rebreathers. In this |
| Choose a mask that properly fits your face and | | | | system, exhaled air is reprocessed by the rebreather |
| forms a seal. Most scuba diving masks come with a | | | | to make it fit for re-inhalation. This can be very |
| rubber or silicone "skirt" that creates a watertight | | | | economical for people who need to take long dives. |
| seal with the diver's face. | | | | The three types of rebreathers include oxygen, |
| There are several types of diving masks such as full | | | | semi-closed circuit and fully-closed circuit rebreathers. |
| face diving masks that allow underwater verbal | | | | Accessories you should consider: |
| communication, diving helmets using surface supplied | | | | Regulator and Buoyancy Compensator (BC) - The |
| diving equipment etc. Prescription masks are also | | | | regulator, which carries the air from your cylinder, |
| available for people who wear prescription glasses. | | | | should be equipped with a gauge and second |
| The Fins allow you to move freely underwater and | | | | mouthpiece. The Buoyancy Compensator, such as |
| should perfectly fit the feet. It should neither be too | | | | such as a back-mounted wing or stabilizer jacket, is |
| tight nor too loose which can hamper swimming | | | | crucial for neutral buoyancy to control depth. |
| capabilities, be very uncomfortable and even | | | | Dive watch: Electronics like a dive watch comes in |
| dangerous while taking a dive. The snorkel lets you | | | | quite handy when measuring your time and depth |
| breathe at the surface without raising your head | | | | underwater. A dive computer is also available for the |
| from the water, and should be no lesser than 30 cms | | | | same purpose which is more accurate but more |
| in length. The weight belt helps you maintain | | | | expensive. |
| buoyancy so you should consider getting one if | | | | If you plan to really move head with your scuba |
| you're a beginner. | | | | diving adventure, consider getting other useful |
| Diving suits like Wetsuits and Drysuits provide thermal | | | | accessories such as underwater light, a surface |
| insulation and prevent complications such as | | | | marker-buoy (SMB), a knife, and a compass etc. |
| hypothermia. Remember that water conducts heat | | | | Experienced divers, Scuba Dive centers, websites, |
| 25 times faster than air from the body. So, choose a | | | | magazines, etc will all be able to assist you when |
| suit depending on how warm or cold your diving | | | | searching for the right scuba diving equipment and |
| water is going to be. | | | | accessories. |
| Scuba Sets: | | | | |