Your choice of scuba fins will depend on what type of diving you do as well as your location. One thing for certain is that your fins must fit properly. If your dive fins do not feel as if they are an extension of your limbs, it could make for an uncomfortable dive experience.

Featured above- Oceanic Vortex V-16 Split Fins available at LeisurePro.com

Here are a few things to look for when making your decision on fins:

1. If you are on vacation and are looking to surface dive, force fins are your best option. They are very comfortable and are made of polyurethane, so there is no danger to sea life.
2. If you are deep sea diving or planning to dive in cold water, you will want scuba fins with adjustable straps i.e open heel fins. This will allow for warming booties as well as provide your feet extra protection from the elements.
3. Split fins are a good option for those who tend to have muscle spasms in their legs. The way they are designed is with an empty space down the center of the blade causing water propulsion behind the diver. These are fine if you are planning on going in a single forward motion the entire time. They are not ideal for those who wish to back track and/or take photographs. Featured right-Cressi Palau (LAF) Long Adjustable fins available at LeisurePro.com

Figure out which category you belong to and choose your fins accordingly. The right fit should be of utmost importance, and don’t be cheap. Quality fins are one thing that can make or break a scuba diving excursion.

Getting the Right Size Dive Fins
Sizing your scuba diving fins can be a very confusing phase when purchasing scuba gear. Every manufacturer has its own sizing chart, so you should focus on which brand you prefer and stick with it. They all have standard sizes, but each one has its own sales spin to make its product stand out. Words such as ‘Channel Thrust’ or ‘Optimum Angles’ could be used to differentiate the bells and whistles unique to their type of fins. Phrases such as these may mean that a particular fin is more effective at propelling you forward with less effort.

There are also some manufacturers that don’t carry a wide range of sizes such as S, M, L, XL. They may only have S/M or L/XL so be careful when choosing. Review their size chart thoroughly.

Last thing to be taken into consideration when finding the right size fin is whether you will be diving in a wetsuit or dry suit. The latter will generally require that you go up one size … a good piece of information to know when searching for that perfect pair of fins!

Featured above- Akona Azione Full Foot Fins available at LeisurePro.com

Wetsuits are a Scuba diving basics. We think it’s a must-have Scuba essential as we mentioned in the 10 Rules of Buying Scuba Diving Gear post. Picking the right wetsuit to suit your needs right from fit, thickness and style can be a little tricky if you don’t know much about them. Here’s a complete guide to buying your first wetsuit.

Wetsuit Styles
There a several choices of styles, when you go wetsuit shopping. There’s the Full wetsuit also known as the full body wetsuit with sleeves right up to the wrists and legs to the ankles. Needless to say it offers full protection and better warmth as it covers most of your body. Secondly there’s the Shorty. Shorties as the name suggests have short sleeves and end just above the knee. A good choice for warm water diving, many divers prefer shorties because it allows greater flexibility in movement underwater. They’re also a easier to put on and take of than a full length wetsuit.

Another option in style of wetsuits is the Farmer John/Jane which are two piece suits, with a sleeveless full length piece worn with a covering jacket. This style is also available in the shorty form. The question of whether one should wear a shorty wetsuit has been asked and debated constantly by divers and you can read up more of our thoughts on the subject in - To Shorties or not to Shorties?

Wetsuit Thickness
Thickness is probably the most important consideration you’ll have to make when buying a wetsuit. It’s a critical factor in keeping you warm and and toasty during a dive. The thicker the wetsuit the warmer it will keep you. Some wetsuits actually have 2 thicknesses on different parts of the wetsuit. For example a 5/3 mm wetsuit means the thickness would be 5 mm on the torso and 3 mm on the arms and legs.

While there’s no particular guide to which thickness is best in a wetsuit as it differs according to the temperature of the water and the relevant conditions, here’s a rough guide to what water temperatures and suitable wetsuit thicknesses are often recommended. But your preferences can differ depending on your cold threshold.

2 mm: Water temperatures above 85 F
3 mm: Water temperatures between 70-85 F
5 mm: Water temperatures between 60-70 F
6.5 mm: Water temperatures between 50-70 (at these temperatures the use of a drysuit can also be recommended)

Wetsuit Fit
It’s very important that your wetsuit fit perfectly for it to be effective. So trying on wetsuits before you buy any is crucial. It can be frustrating and time consuming as trying them on is not always easy but don’t skip this step or you’ll regret it for sure.

If you haven’t worn a wet suit before, you should know that if you can put it on easily it’s too big for you. Especially since you’ll be wearing your wetsuit when it’s dry on land, a sign of the right fit is, a little struggle, huffing and puffing when you put it on. Scuba diving wetsuits feel snug on you and it will probably feel that your movement are restricted, which is normal.

The wetsuit shouldn’t be too tight so that it cuts of circulation at your wrists and ankle or your can even bend your knees in them. It shouldn’t be loose either cause that will allow water to flow freely through it defeating the purpose completely. There should not be any large gaps in the underarm or crotch area. However, it may probably have a gap at the small of the back, which is ok.

No matter how time consuming it is to try on different wetsuits, it’ll be well worth all your time and effort to have a perfectly fitting wetsuit that keeps you warm during your dives. There’s nothing that can ruin a dive faster than being cold and shivering while you are underwater, so get it right when you buy one the first time.

Mares Trilastic Deluxe 5-4-3mm One Piece Wetsuit, Henderson 3-MM Titanium Hyperstretch Mens Shorty, Henderson 7mm Gold Core Neoprene Men’s Wetsuit all available at LeisurePro.com

Most likely if you’ve gone Scuba Diving a couple of times, you’re hooked and will be planning a lot of your vacations where you can dive some more.  And  sure, when you start off you can get away with just your basic mask, snorkel and fins while renting the rest, but how long do you plan on keeping that  up. Let’s face it diving isn’t a cheap sport and add gear rental charges for every time you dive is not a lot of fun or smart. So, if you’re planning on diving long term, make a commitment to buy your own Scuba gear. It doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing choice . You can buy gradually, piece by piece working your way to a full Scuba diving kit.

Here are 10 Rules for Buying Dive Gear:

1. Get it right the first time. Look at buying Scuba equipment, as a one-time investment. Buy what you need and good quality gear the first time around. Don’t say, “I’ll start cheap and upgrade later,” because it will end up costing you more money in the long run.

2. Research before you buy. Don’t go in blind when you walk into a store. Read past user reviews, scope out all your options of styles, brands and features, so that ultimately you are ready to make an informed decision. This doesn’t mean not looking around in the store or deviating from what you know.

3. Don’t go strictly on recommendations or what your friend says. People in the diving World often have strong opinions on the brand/ manufacturer of their choice and won’t always be objective when suggesting what’s right for you. From ScubaPro to Oceanic or Mares to Tusa, diver’s play favorites and what’s great to them isn’t necessarily right for you.

4. Try, Try and Try. Try on the gear and sample its features before you buy it. If you’re buying Scuba gear online, make sure the website you purchase from has a long enough window for returns (like LeisurePro’s 60/120 days return policy), incase you’re not fully satisfied with anything about the piece.

5. Only buy the right size. Don’t buy gear that doesn’t fit properly, no matter how much you like it or have your heart set on it. Even if it’s just one size big or one size small, don’t convince yourself you can make it work. Fit is everything when it comes to Scuba equipment. From the right fins, buoyancy compensators to just a simple dive masks, the fit of your equipment underwater can influence things like- air consumption, buoyancy control, maneuverability and just plain comfort and enjoyment of the dive.

6. Purchase your equipment through an authorized dealer for that manufacturer or a reliable store like LeisurePro offering a an equal or better warranty service. Don’t skimp on the warranty or service agreements when it comes to buying equipment.

7. Invest in a dive computer. It will enhance your diving experience allowing you to dive deeper, longer and safer, if used properly. Dive computers are fast becoming a Scuba diving essential which no diver should be diving without.

8. Look for features you need. There’s no need to go overboard with extra features on any piece of equipment, just because it’s offered by the manufacturer. Stick to quality over quantity. While choosing, remember that fancier doesn’t necessarily increase safety or make it better than other pieces with lesser features.

9. Buy a Wetsuit. You will need it, no doubt about it. Trying on wetsuits can be an exhausting and frustrating struggle, but it’s very important to have one that fits perfectly so don’t give up until you find one. If you can put it on easily, it means it’s too big for you. A little struggle while trying it on dry is a sign of a good fitting wetsuit. At the same time it shouldn’t be so tight as to stop circulation at your wrists or ankles is it’s a full wetsuit.

10. Go with your instinct and feel. At the end of the day, no amount of research or recommendations should cloud your own judgment on what feels ‘right’ when you try it on. Shop when you have a lot of time to spare to make a decision and not when you have to rush of to somewhere else.

And lastly (yes, I know I said 10… but here’s one for good measure)- Make good use of the Scuba gear  and equipment you buy. Happy Diving People!!

* Pictured Above- Mares Scuba Package #3

Dive Computers for Scuba divers are the best invention since slice bread. If you plan on Scuba diving regularly, this is definitely one piece of Scuba diving equipment you want to own to enjoy diving deeper, longer and safer. With the different types, styles and range of features dive computers offer choosing one that works best for you can be quite a task. It’s much like picking from a menu, whatever features take your fancy and appeals to you, you can find a combination of those functions in a dive computer. (Pictured Right- Aeris Elite T3 Hoseless Dive Computer)

Here’s a comprehensive look into the different types of dive computers and the various features available to help make that choice that fits your needs and more importantly your pocket.

There are essentially 2 types or styles of Dive Computers available- Wrist or watch style and console or module dive computers.

Wrist dive computers as the name implies are worn on the wrist by the diver and look like large faced watches. They are the most popular type of computers used for recreational diving today. Available in a number of different sizes from small watch like faces which could be a little hard to read underwater, but can be used as a regular everyday wrist watch to larger faced rectangular dive computers with bigger displays which are easier to read. These type of dive computers perform all the functions you need and expect from both a dive watch and a dive computer, making them a very popular choice among Scuba divers the World over.  (Pictured Left – Suunto “D9″ Titanium Bracelet Hoseless Air/Nitrox Computer)

Console dive computers, a slightly more economical option are attached to other Scuba gear via a hose and typically come with a pressure gauge, unlike the wrist mounted option. This type of dive computer is easier to read as the display is fairly large. Some come with options of mounting them on a hose for your gauges while some can be clipped onto your Buoyancy Compensator.

Both types of dive computers function equally well and it’s only a matter of preference which one is more comfortable for you and fits into your price range. (Pictured Right – Mares Mission Puck 2 Computer Console)

Features you can find in Dive computers are innumerable. Ones with more features don’t necessarily function any better than ones with less and they definitely don’t make your dives any more safer, but they are like icing on the cake. Most computers offer many more features than most people will ever use and all dive computers perform the most basic functions you need for sure. Here’s a look at some of the note worthy features and functions you will find in dive computers.

Air Integrated: Air integrated dive computers measure tank pressure and estimates of how long your air supply will last at the current rate of air consumption. These dive computers are available in two types, one that can be attached to the end of a high pressure hose and it replaces the submersible pressure gauge or a high end hoseless air integrated dive computer which consists of wrist or BC mount instrument which acts as a receiver and a transmitter which screws into the high pressure port of the regulator first stage. It uses radio signals to send information about the air supply in your tank to the dive computer which displays this. Hoseless Scuba dive computers are among the most expensive dive computers you can buy.

Nitrox Compatible: Nitrox diving is becoming increasingly popular. While all nitrox dive computers can be used to make regular air dives, an air computer must be nitrox programmable in order to be used with this breathing gas as it contains a higher percentage of oxygen than air. This feature is only worth the extra $100 or so it may cost only if you intend on diving nitrox any time in the future or as possibility.

Auto Activate: Some dive computers automatically turn themselves on when submerged underwater at a particular depth. This helps if you are rather forgetful as others require you push a button to start while some will not work under water if they have not been activated on the surface first.

Memory: Dive computers come with different memory storage sizes. What you may want to look for though is one that retains the memory incase the batter has to be changed during a dive day or trip. This way you don’t lose the data during a battery change.

PC Connectivity: May dive computers come with a way to download the information on it to your PC using an optional interface. This could be a very useful feature to have.

Backlight: Many but not all dive computers have a backlight or illumination feature that allows you see your reading more clearly in lower light conditions. A backlit display dive computer is a good feature to consider having especially if you do lots of low visibility diving, wreck dives and for cave diving.

Decompression: Many computers are not intended for planned decompression dives, they will however guide you through an emergency decompression situation. For tech diving it’s important to have a special decompression dive compatible computer.

(Pictured Above (left to right) – Oceanic Atom 2.0 Air Integrated Hoseless Dive Watch, Suunto Cobra Air/Nitrox Air Integrated Computer Console, Mares Nemo Dive Computer Watch with Backlight)

Dive computers can range from a price of $200 right upto $1,500 or more. Take your time and look at everything before deciding on one. At the end of the day every dive computer will meet your basic needs and have the most important functions, however, if you have the budget to spare you can go for additional features which may come in handy and you could see yourself getting used to. Th choice is endless find a dive computer you like and it’ll soon become your best dive friend.

See more Dive Computers available at LeisurePro.com