Helping divers make informed choices about training, skills, safety, and gear.

Personal Dive Gear Every Diver Should Own

Some scuba gear is worth owning because no rental can match the fit, familiarity, and reliability you need. A wetsuit that fits your body, a dive computer you know inside and out, and essential safety items like an SMB or dive light are personal tools every diver should have. This list focuses on the equipment I recommend divers aspire to own, not just for comfort, but for safety and confidence underwater.

Understanding the Pricing Options

Each gear category below includes three pricing levels:

Option LevelDescription
Higher QualityPremium durability, trusted by technical or pro divers
GoldilocksBest performance-to-price ratio for most recreational divers
Lower PriceBudget-conscious but usable and reliable

Essential Gear Tier Totals

Option
Tier 1
Must Own
Tier 2
Should Own
Tier 3
The Rest
Total Cost
Higher Quality $715 + $2,170 $2,885
Goldilocks $500 + $1,440 $1,940
Lower Price $260 + $755 $1,015

Perdix Computer

Dive Computer

A dive computer gives you real-time tracking of depth, time, and nitrogen loading. It's far safer than relying on a rental computer you don't know how to use or to dive with nothing. You do not need the Air Integration (AI) transmitter until you buy your own regulators. It's highly unlikely that you will be allowed to install a transmitter on rental regulators. We'll get an AI transmitter in the next batch of gear.


Bare 3mm Wetsuit

Wetsuit

Being cold ruins dives. A properly fitting wetsuit extends your comfort window and protects you from cuts, stings, and sun. Buy a temperature appropriate wetsuit, but if you don't know which one to get just go with a 5mm as a good in between.


Halcyon SMB

Delayed Surface Marker Buoy

A dSMB is your signal to the surface. It lets boats see you and helps others track you if you surface away from the group. Make sure you get a "Delayed" SMB and not just a regular one. Get the one with a pull dump valve, that's how you know.


Dive Right Spool

Spool

A spool...not a reel...a spool.


Eezycut Trilobite

Cutting Tool

Entanglement happens fast. You need at least one sharp, accessible tool to free yourself or a teammate from line, kelp, or net. There is no reason to buy anything other than a Trilobite.


Orcatorch D710

Dive Light

A light isn’t just for night dives. It helps you see into holes, communicate underwater and can be used in an emergency for signaling below and above the water.


Storm Whistle

Whistle and Mirror

Surface emergencies are loud and chaotic. These tools give you range and visibility if you're stranded or separated on the surface.


Written by Tyler Allison • Last updated September 30, 2025