Costs to Purchase and Maintain Scuba Diving Equipment

The costs of scuba diving equipment can easily run over
$1,000 dollars. Although renting is always an option, for
a diver that is developing a long term interest in this
sport, purchasing is worth your while, not just in money
but also in the quality of your scuba equipment.

Without going into the pros and cons of renting vs buying
the scuba diving equipment, let's talk about the various
types of scuba equipment that you should consider buying
and how much you should budget for spending on them.

Mask: a mask can range from $20 to $150.00 dollars. A mask
has relatively little travel inconvenience compared to other
scuba equipment so packing it in a suitcase and walking
around in it will not be a big challenge.

Snorkel: They should not run you more than $50.00, and the
lower end will be around $17.00

Fins: Although they are not as easy to pack as a pair of
snorkels, they range from $30 to $150.00 and are more
affordable than many other scuba diving equipment.

Regulator: They range from $150 - $500, sometimes even more
and are at the higher end of the price range than other
scuba equipment.

Exposure suits: They vary according to type (ie wetsuit vs
drysuit). Check here for types and prices.

BC: Typically from $150 to $500.00 and like regulators, are
also at the high end of the price range than other scuba
diving equipment.

Weights: $1.70 a pound.

Tanks: Between $100 to $400.

Remember, the last two are heavier to carry around than the
others. We recommend buying tanks and weights last, and the
others before as they are less expensive, and easier to pack
and travel with.

The maintenance for scuba equipment is astonishingly the same.
Although there is specific preventative care that is required
for only for dive suits, tanks, or BCs, there are some things
you can do to all your scuba gear that will insure a long life
for them.

After every dive, make sure to give your all of your scuba
gear a good rinse with fresh water.

After rinsing the scuba diving gear, allow it to dry, but not
in direct sunlight. Most of the scuba equipment that you carry
is made of neoprene rubber, which can be broken down when
exposed to direct sunlight. Extra care should be taken between
dives, when they are most vulnerable to the sun, especially in
tropical climates

Whether you have a wet or a dry suit, neoprene exposure suits
should be hung on a non-wire hanger to dry. Wire hangers can
cause unnecessary creases.

All your scuba diving equipment should be stored in a cool,
yet dry place.

Separate your neoprene related equipment from your other scuba
gear, especially if they are damp. Over time, they can stick
together and tear when pulled apart.

After you return from your dive trip, make sure to unpack as
soon as possible to prevent any compression or flattening of
the scuba equipment that you paid good money for.