How to choose your scuba diving gear
As an avid diver, high quality diving gear is essential for enjoying the underwater world safely and comfortably. Whether you are an experienced diver or just starting out, selecting equipment from reputable brands will serve you well in the water. This guide reviews key considerations for selecting three critical pieces of gear: diving masks, snorkels, and fins.
1.Choose a comfortable and clear diving mask
To ensure a clear and unobstructed vision in the water, you can follow the Sealing of the face mask, Lens material, Field of vision, Adjustable strap.
Single lens: Clear and wide field of view
Diving masks can generally be divided into single-lens and dual-lens styles. The single-lens type is integrated in design and provides a wider field of vision compared to dual-lens styles. It also makes it easier for others to see one’s facial expressions, making it quite suitable for photography. However, since this type of masks does not provide nearsighted prescriptions, they are only suitable for those with good vision.
Dual Lens: Can be custom prescription
For friends with poor vision, masks that offer prescriptive lenses should be selected. As this type of masks provide shading effect and are often elegantly designed to be lightweight, they are more suitable for photographers to focus and pose without burden when carrying. However, since dual-lens masks split the view into left and right parts, the field of vision presented is relatively narrow. There are also some multi-lens styles available on the market, which add more panes on the sides to expand the view. These options could also be considered.
Recommended Tempered Glass Lens
When it comes to the material used to produce the mask itself, there are generally two types: plastic and glass. While plastic masks are lightweight and easy to use, for consumers who mainly intend to use the mask in the ocean, it’s recommended to choose products made of tempered glass. In addition to being more resistant to damage, the high transparency of tempered glass also provides clearer vision for the wearer, which is beneficial for observing the beautiful and bountiful underwater world.
Recommended Soft Liquid Silicone
Silicone is very flexible and can conform closely to different face shapes and sizes. This allows for a customized fit that feels soft and comfortable against the skin.Silicone is soft and skin-friendly and won’t irritate sensitive skin like harder plastic masks can. The soft material feels gentle against the face.
2.How to choose breathing tube and mouth pieces
To be able to breathe freely underwater, one of the most indispensable accessories is the snorkel. However, with the vast variety of snorkel designs, there are many details to pay attention to, such as the diameter of the snorkel tube and the size of the mouthpiece. The following will explain these points one by one:
Breathing tube width: select according to lung capacity
The diameter of the snorkel tube needs to match the lung capacity of the wearer. In general, thicker tubes require more exhalation effort to purge water, so smaller-bodied users or children with less lung capacity should choose a thinner tube style.
Mouth Pieces: needs to fit the size of the mouth
Most mouthpieces have a size of around 50mm. Specialized styles are also available for women or children with smaller mouth sizes. Using a mouthpiece that is too large can easily cause fatigue and pain from prolonged use. Conversely, if the mouthpiece is too small, gaps may form leading to water ingress. It is therefore crucial to ensure the mouthpiece size matches the individual’s mouth.
Drain valve: for beginners and those with low lung capacity.
The purge valve greatly impacts the ease of draining accumulated water. Not only can it expel water entering the breathing tube, it also helps prevent ingress of water. The drainage process simultaneously reduces air pressure, making exhalation more comfortable for the user. This makes it highly suitable for beginners or children. Additionally, some products feature an anti-flood valve around the breathing tube rim to reduce the risk of swallowing seawater – a popular choice among novices.
3.How to choose diving fins
With the aid of flippers, users can swim freely in the water. In the following section, we will introduce how to choose a flipper and explain the style, material and size.
Full-foot fins: Can fully enclose both feet
There are two main types of fins: full-foot fins and adjustable fins. Full-foot fins fully enclose the feet up to the ankle area, making swimming feel like a natural extension of the legs and allowing for freer movement. However, as the size cannot be adjusted with full-foot fins, careful consideration of fitting is required when purchasing.
Adjustable fins: Easy to put on and take off, convenient to adjust.
Adjustable fins can be finely tuned in size through ankle straps, and are very easy to put on and take off. They are usually worn over wet shoes. As this type of product allows for size adjustment, they are suitable for reference whether sharing with others or for children still growing.
Soft material: suitable for beginners
Experienced divers may choose fins with longer blades and harder, more rigid plastic materials to provide powerful propulsion while swimming. However, drag forces also increase with thrust. Strong leg muscles are required to kick such fins effectively. In contrast, less confident or less skilled swimmers are advised to select fins with smaller blades made from softer, more flexible materials like rubber for better control and comfort.
