Diving Equipment

There are many different types of equipment, gadgets and instruments divers use to assist them in their sport, from cameras to light strobes to knives . Below is a list of the basic equipment a diver needs to safely enter the water. Of course if you are a member of one of our clubs your Diving Officer will go through each of these and the other equipment available and will advise you on what to buy and what retailer offers the best value. Scroll over the pictures below to find out more information.

Outside of your own enthusiasm and desire for adventure there is a basic technical set up required in order to SCUBA Dive:

Dive Mask The dive mask consists of a lens also known as a faceplate, a comfortable skirt, which encloses the nose, and a head strap. Masks range in shapes and sizes. Modern diving also has seen the introduction of full face masks which also allow for clear underwater communication via radio link. Most importantly is you need to make sure your dive mask fits well and is comfortable.	Gauges, Dive Computers and Compass Gauges, Dive Computers and Compass Dive Computers and Compasses: Scuba diving makes use of various instruments which deliver vital information immediately to the diver such as depth in metres, time spent submerged and air supply capacity. A dive compass is regularly employed in order to allow the diver to orientate in waters with low visibility or to plot underwater courses.
Breathing Regulator and Tank Regulator & Tank The diver’s ‘regulator’ delivers air on demand from the air filled tank carried on the divers back during a dive.	Wet Suit / Dry Suit Wet Suit / Dry Suit In climates such as our own it is vital to protect yourself from the cold water. Irish divers wear either a dry suit or a 12mm wetsuit in order to keep warm in the water. Most divers will start by using a wetsuit and will eventually progress to a dry suit however there are many who stick to wet suit diving.
Bouyancy Control Device (BCD) Bouyancy Control Device (BCD) BCD is a piece of equipment worn by divers to provide life saving emergency buoyancy both underwater and on the surface. The device also provides the diver with the ability to adjust and control their overall buoyancy allowing the diver to achieve neutral buoyancy, remaining at constant depth, or to descend or ascend in a controlled way.	Weight system Weight System Simply referred to as a ‘weight belt’ consisting of a series of lead weights that counteracts your body’s natural tendency to float allowing the diver to descend gradually underwater on demand. There are many systems of weight distribution including the original weight belt, weight harness and integrated weight systems
Sea Fins Sea Fins Sea Fins or ‘flippers’ are essential for SCUBA Diving and make a huge difference when moving through water. Fins allow the diver to move efficiently with speed as well as providing thrust and momentum. Fins come in varying styles such as the basic ‘Paddle Fins’ but they also have more developed styles such as ‘Vented fins’, ‘Split fins’ and ‘Mono Fins’ as preferred by ‘Free Divers’.