Buoyancy Control Device( BCD)
Dive computer
Hood and gloves
Torch / diving light
DIVE KIT EXPLAINED
Buoyancy Control Device( BCD)
What does it do? In essence, a BCD is a highly adaptable life jacket that allows you to inflate or deflate the interior bladder in order to achieve neutral, positive, or negative buoyancy. They come in many different versions, but every model has a means of attaching your cylinder, and a direct feed to your regulator for injecting gas. Some models have integrated pockets for incorporating lead weights. How do I choose one? Most clubs have a selection of BCDs available to trainees, so you don’ t need to buy immediately. This will give you time to weigh up your needs – do you need the integrated weights, or would your style of diving benefit from a wing-type system, where the buoyancy bladders are situated on your back? These are all questions your senior colleagues at the club will be able to advise on – but to march into a shop and buy one without thinking would be a mistake. Benchmark price: £ 400
Dive computer
What does it do? While every qualified diver should have a working knowledge of decompression theory and diving tables, a dive computer will do all of the key calculations for you. Depth, time elapsed, decompression obligations, water temperature and other essential data is displayed on a handy wristmounted screen. Dive computers have gone from being specialist gadgets to an indispensable component of your kit, effectively replacing the traditional diver’ s watch. How do I choose one? Every committed diver has a computer these days, and not many clubs have loaners, so this is something to consider for your first dive trip outside your Ocean Diver course. We recommend starting with a model that has a nitrox capability and will display your decompression obligation. Benchmark price: £ 250
Hood and gloves
What do they do? Only the extremely hardy can dive in the UK without covering their head and hands in nice warm neoprene, so you should regard these as essential accessories. How do I choose them? You’ re looking for a balance of a reasonably close fit with ease of donning, so try a selection on before you buy. We recommend buying a hood with small vents so that exhaled air can escape rather than getting caught in the hood and giving you an embarrassing‘ Noddy’ look. Benchmark price: £ 40- £ 50 each
Torch / diving light
What does it do? While torches aren’ t exactly life-support equipment, a good light is an essential item of kit for anyone diving in British seas. It enhances your pleasure in picking out creatures on a shadowy reef, or peering inside a dark wreck. It can also serve as a useful device for getting a fellow diver’ s attention underwater, or attracting a boat in failing light at the surface. How do I choose one? By all means look for bargains, but make sure you get a proper depth-rated diver’ s torch. You could spend more than £ 1,000 on a high-powered model with a cylinder-mounted battery pack, or £ 40 for a simple backup light. This one is very much down to personal choice. Benchmark prices: £ 80- £ 120
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