| Putting on scuba gear is not that difficult, it just | | | | Regs and Gauges |
| takes a bit of getting used to! It can be heavy, | | | | Check your o-rings and attach these to your dive |
| cumbersome and difficult to adjust once it is in place, | | | | cylinder and then slowly turn the air on. It is an old |
| but enter the water and the weight lifts off it, your | | | | piece of advice and not necessarily relevant to |
| glide through the water and it all becomes a dream. | | | | today's gear, but make sure that the gauges are not |
| But this dream will not last for long if the gear is not | | | | pointing to anyone as you slowly turn on the air. |
| worn correctly! Water can get in to places it should | | | | If you hear any strange whistles, or other signs of |
| not and at worst it could malfunction and end the | | | | escaping air, turn off the air supply, vent it through |
| dive, even putting your life in danger. | | | | the regs and check the fitting. It could be that an |
| Always remember - As a learner or beginner, if in | | | | o-ring is not in place, is damaged or just too dry. |
| doubt get the dive leader to check out your gear. | | | | Weights |
| They will not mind, as long as you are not asking at | | | | How this is handled depends on your weight system. |
| 30m... | | | | If you are using a basic weight belt, make sure your |
| Exposure Suit | | | | exposure suit is zipped up enough, lift your weight |
| Firstly, the exposure suit. Whether it is a dry suit or a | | | | belt into position and then lean forward so that the |
| wet suit, it is there to protect you from scratches | | | | weight rests on your back. You can then fasten the |
| and the cold. Whichever you are using it is absolutely | | | | belt tightly - enough to keep it in place but not so |
| essential that you put it on with care, making sure | | | | much that you cannot breathe! |
| not to rip or damage it. Wearers of dry suits should | | | | Buoyancy Aid |
| be trained beforehand and that training will include the | | | | Attach your cylinder securely, turn on your air supply |
| correct way of donning a dry suit. | | | | and with some assistance, as the set-up is by now |
| Mask, Fins & Snorkel | | | | very heavy, lift it onto your back. Again, a tilt |
| Obviously, these do not go on at kitting up if you | | | | forward to take the weight onto your back helps |
| have to walk to the dive site first! Put them | | | | getting this into position. |
| somewhere easy to carry and listen to when the | | | | Make sure at this point that the weight belt is not |
| dive leader wants you to put them on. Sometimes | | | | blocked. It must be able to be released without |
| you will be told to put them on before entering the | | | | removing the buoyancy aid if needed. If you are |
| water, other times after. | | | | using weight pockets, then this might be the best |
| Make sure the straps are tight enough to keep the | | | | time to insert them. |
| equipment in place, but not so tight that it is digging | | | | Then it is time to buddy check the gear and enjoy |
| in and feeling uncomfortable. | | | | the dive! |