Most likely, you’ve landed here for one of two reasons: you’ve just signed up for your first course, or you’ve just finished your Open Water Diver course. Am I right?
Well, this is one of the most common questions in both cases. The truth is, scuba diving isn’t the most affordable sport in the world—and the sooner you realize that, the better. I’m not saying that out of snobbery, it’s just a fact. As Brené Brown says: “Clear is kind, unclear is unkind.”
Ok, so what does that mean for someone that’s just getting started? Simple: it’s much more cost-effective to buy quality gear (and training) from the beginning rather than having to buy 2–3 times. Good-quality equipment, suited to your needs, can easily last for decades.
What gear is good to have even before your Open Water Scuba Diver course?#
Dive mask#
The dive mask is much more important than it seems, and a properly fitting mask (meaning one that matches the shape of your face) can be the difference between a fun course and “why on earth did I sign up for this, I never want to see water again”.
You probably also want to be the only person using something that spends most of its time on your face. Just saying.
We can talk a lot (and we do, in the intro session before the course) about how to choose the right mask for you, but the most important basic tip is pretty simple: try it on before you buy it. Sure, as the price goes up, you get better materials, better build quality, and so on—but a €200 mask (yes, they exist) is not necessarily a better fit for your face than a €30 one.
How do you test it? Nothing easier: place the mask on your face without securing the strap, inhale through your nose, and wait. If the mask stays put without you inhaling, you’re on the right track. If not, move on to the next one.
Top tip: If you want to be really sure it fits well, try the test while using a regulator or at least a snorkel — your face shape shifts a bit with those in place.
Wetsuit and booties#
This one’s a bit controversial, but we recommend all potential OWSD students to get a wetsuit before the course. Of course, if you’re not sure you’ll enjoy diving, it’s better to start with a Scuba Discovery session. But if you’ve already decided to go for the OWSD course, having your own wetsuit comes with a few perks.
School wetsuits will fit… ish. Reality is, not all of us fit perfectly into the standard S/M/L/XL sizes, which is why most manufacturers offer a ton of in-between sizes. It’s also impractical for dive centers to carry that many rental options.
Why is a good fit important?
- A wetsuit that’s too tight will restrict your movement (and even your blood flow, in extreme cases), while one that’s too loose won’t keep you warm
- And, just like with masks, this might sound a bit germophobic, but I’d much rather wear something that spends that much time in direct contact with my skin… and has only touched my skin.
What to buy after your OWSD course#
Dive computer#
Congrats! You’re now certified and can start looking for diving destinations. Time to go computer shopping.
Why do I recommend getting a dive computer now? First, not all dive centers around the world rent out computers (yep, even in 2025—don’t ask me why), and even if they do, they’ll likely be super basic models.
But more importantly: if you’ve made it this far, you probably know (especially if you did OWSD with us) something very important about computers - you need to use the same one between repetitive dives. And I don’t mean the same model, I mean the same actual unit.
What happens if you get a different computer on day 3 of diving? Maybe one that hasn’t been in the water for a week? That computer won’t “know” how much residual nitrogen you have, and as a result, it could give you inaccurate — and potentially dangerous— information.
DSMB#
At Blue Pulse, we consider the DSMB (Delayed Surface Marker Buoy) to be a core piece of safety equipment.
But it’s very important to learn how to use it safely before trying it out in a real-world situation. Otherwise, attempting to use a DSMB without proper training can be risky.
Of course, DSMB usage is something we teach in the OWSD course. You don’t want to know how many “Advanced, Rescue or even Tech” divers I see struggling to deploy an SMB.
Torch / Dive light#
Maybe you’re interested in night dives—or maybe not. But even if night diving doesn’t tempt you just yet (though trust me, it’s worth it), we still consider a torch to be a core piece of safety gear.
Same reason as the DSMB—you want to be visible in the water. At night or in a storm, a dive light pointed toward the boat or even shining into the base of your DSMB can be the difference between a warm tea back on shore… or a long, interesting night.
Fins#
Don’t like fins with ratchet straps—the kind you have to tighten/loosen for every dive? Neither do I. But unless you bring your own, that’s probably what you’ll get.
Besides the comfort of spring/bungee straps, if you did the course with us, you’ve probably already learned techniques like frog kick, modified flutter kick, etc. And we’ll get you used to fins that actually do what you ask of them.
What about the rest of the gear?#
Well, from here on, things depend much more on personal preference. That said, there are real benefits to having your own full gear setup:
- There are still few places (sadly) where you can rent a proper backplate/wing
- Rental regulators are… good enough (mostly), but usually basic, not to mention and you have no idea when they were last serviced
- Many accessories just aren’t available for rent, or not at the quality you’d want: neoprene gloves and hoods, reels, spools, tech shorts, and the list goes on
- We recommend at least one cutting tool - not necessarily a knife, and definitely not strapped to your leg. Ugh. The best and safest option, in our opinion, is an EezyCut or similar line cutter.
That said, I know plenty of divers who prefer to travel light and rent the rest. Totally valid choice, at least for recreational diving.
What we generally recommend not buying (at any certification level)#
Weights and tanks#
Unless you’re diving locally, frequently and without a dive center (just you and your favorite buddy), there’s really no need to own your own weights or tanks.
Especially with tanks, besides proper storage space, you also need to think about servicing, annual inspections, and legally required hydrostatic testing (frequency varies by country—it’s every 5 years in Romania).
Octopus holders (and their many variants)#
Simple: you don’t need one.
If you’re using a classic octopus, the right D-ring is the simplest place for it. And if you’re using a long hose setup, you won’t need a holder at all—your backup reg will sit on a necklace around your neck (cough - where it’s supposed to be - cough).
Tank banger#
Few things annoy me more than tank bangers. In theory, they’re meant to get attention underwater—a ball and elastic band you slap against your tank to make a sound.
Problem is, you never know where the sound is coming from or who’s trying to tell you what. In my opinion, the only person who needs a sound-making device is the guide. That’s it.
Summing up#
We recommend anyone planning to start an Open Water Scuba Diver course to buy a properly fitted dive mask, wetsuit, and wetboots for a hassle-free experience.
If you’re doing the course with us, we go the extra mile — not only do we help you choose the right gear, but we’re also happy to tag along when you buy it. Next level, right? 😄
After OWSD, your first big investment should be a dive computer. Ideally, one that can grow with you—but more on that in a future blog post.
What order did you buy your gear in?
And what piece of gear did you have to buy 2–3 times because you didn’t get it right the first time?
We’d love to hear about it over coffee or on social media