Buying Accessories
This are essentially non-essential items that you can use when you are diving. I do recommend that you consider purchasing these products since they only help to improve your divings experience or make your better prepared for any eventuality.
Dive Computer
I bought myself a dive computer because it’s easier to record the technical details using a dive computer. It also helps you in working out how long the periods of decompression are and should be, while also indicating how long you can stay in the bottom. They vary in cost and features, but you usually get what you pay for. Some dive computers can replace your SPG. I would recommend against this as it gives you only one instrument panel and should it fail, it leaves you stranded (although you should probably surface if that happens and if you’ve been relying on your dive computer, no diving for 24 hours if that happens). My dive computer is UWATEC Smart Pro which fits nicely on my wrist. It’s so helpful, it lets me know if my rate of ascent is too fast something I’m prone to do.
Note – Don’t rely solely on your dive computer. Always make sure that you back up your dive calculations manually as well.
Dive Knife
Okay, there’s a little injection of manhood when you start looking at dive knives. There shouldn’t be, cause you’re not buying it to go kill anything, but more for safety purposes and convenience, e.g. cutting fishing nets you’ve got yourself tangled in. Also, having a knife can be used for signalling others by tapping on your tank (although not really that effect as a way of getting attention). Having said that, I succeeded in getting the meanest, sleekest looking dive knife that there was. And I’ll admit, walking around with it strapped to your wetsuit on the boat makes you believe your the hero from Deep Blue Sea. Okay…these aren’t toys. Mine’s the AUSA Titanium Dive Knife. It’s blade isn’t as sharp as a combat knife but it looks like it. It’s also made from titanium to prevent it from rusting more easily than stainless steel. It’s lighter too.
Dive Lights
You should think about getting yourself a dive light if you are planning to do any night diving. It’s useful also when you go diving in the day time as it helps bring out the colours of what you are looking at more clearly. Most diving certifications suggest or require you to carry two dive lights, just in case your primary light runs out. For my primary light, I use the Underwater Kinetics SL4 High Intensity Dive Light. It’s specifically designed for underwater use and looks like it can take a knock or too. My secondary light is a smaller affair – the Underwater Kinetics UK2AAA Mini Pocket Light. It can fit into your pocket and it can be used outside of the water (fits onto a cap to give you handsfree illumination!).
Watch
It’s always good to have a watch with you when you go diving. Most watches will do but I bought the Casio Sea-Pathfinder Watch specifically for diving. The reason why it’s so cool is that it has a built in compass, barometer and thermometer. It can also read the tides and the moon cycles. Okay, not that useful for most people but for me, as a budding diver, its great. The compass I can use underwater, and I can also get a reading on the temperature. Also with dive planning I can use the other functions. I also needed a good digital watch and reading the display is a lot easier underwater than my other watches.
Dive Bags
There are probably two bags you will need when you start owning your own equipment – the main bag and a dry bag. There are a range of bags out there and its really personal preference the one you pick. I bought myself the TUSA Diver Scuba Fanatic backpack style bag (in a fetching blue!). It just manages to fit my equipment in there but you’ll have to pack your equipment in a special way when you finish, otherwise it won’t fit. No just dumping the equipment in and worrying about it later (which you shouldn’t do anyway!). One drawback of this bag is the backpack style. It can be a hassle lugging the load on your back while there are many bags that employ wheels to aid you. It may seem light in the store, but remember, your equipment will be wet, adding additional weight, and it will probably be the end of a long day. Just a pointer – remember diving should be fun.
