Although a set of scuba gear can be expensive, there are a lot of benefits you can enjoy when you own your own set. Diving with your own gear is hygienic. Also, you can be sure you wear something that fits snugly and is high-quality. You don’t really have to purchase an entire set of scuba gear at once. Just buy what your budget allows.
If you tend to dive regularly, it is best to own your own set instead of renting. Gear rental can cost about $30 to $70 per day which adds up quickly after a few dives. Below are some reasons you should invest in your own scuba gear:
Have More Time for Fun
Whenever you visit a dive shop to find rental equipment, you will need to spend time sorting and trying on many gear sizes. But, you can eliminate this tendency when you have brought your own diving gear before you visit a diving destination. During the busiest time of the year, divers could be fighting to rent out the last medium-sized BCD. Also, it can take time to choose from different scuba tank sizes. If you own a set of scuba equipment, you can just show up right before the dive and go.
Rental Gear can vary from One Rental Shop to Another
A rental shop might be vigilant about keeping their gear in top shape while others might offer gear for rent that are decades old. But, even if you choose the first shop, there are some careless divers out there. These divers might mistreat and roughly handle the gear they rent out. Unfortunately, you will usually discover the problem with a piece of gear when you begin to dive. You might not be able to discover a leaking house or a warped mask during the pre-dive checkup.
Buying Gear Ensures You Wear a Perfect Fit
In terms of gear such as BCDs, masks, and wetsuits, there are no standard sizes. You are probably size small in one wetsuit brand but a medium size in another. A number of gear brands distinguish sizes by gender. Scuba gear rental shops vary in the brands they carry and the sizes. It can be impossible to see whether a piece of gear fits perfectly until you begin diving. Owning a set of diving gear makes sure that you have pieces that fit properly on every dive you make.