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Dive light or underwater flash light or dive torch or tungsten light, all are different names for the same object. Used to illuminate the path of an underwater diver, one needs to understand the types and the fundamental reason of using a dive light so as to choose the right kind!

Choosing dive lights

It is a common misconception that a dive light is required only during night diving. The idea of using a light is simply to light up dark nooks and corners. The light from the surface is not always sufficient to reach deep down under the water where divers venture and therefore the need for the correct kind of dive light.

Divers choose their scuba dive light according to the type of diving they do. Therefore it is also necessary to have a fair idea about the various types of diving. On a broad level there are three kinds of diving:

1. Open water diving: Open water diving refers to diving where the water surface is in immediate contact with earth’s atmosphere and in case of emergency the diver can easily ascend vertically to breathe air.
In case of open water diving where divers have to frequently inspect under ledges and crevices, it is best to use a small dive light that will fit into one of the suit pockets, like the Kinetic mini pocket light. Alternatively if you want more power you can choose the High Intensity Discharge light or HID.

2. Night diving: Seen as recreational diving, night diving is done at the darkest hour of the night. With many nocturnal sea creatures venturing out at this time it provides a challenge to the diver to swim through them.
For night diving you need a bigger and more powerful underwater dive light can will stay throughout the duration of the dive.

3. Overhead environment diving: This refers to the condition when there is no immediate overhead atmosphere available for the diver and unlike in open water diving the diver cannot escape upwards easily in case of emergency. This kind of diving refers to cave divers, wreck divers and ice divers.

Divers in this scenario need a dive light that is reliable and powerful enough to support the entire duration of the dive. Quality and reputation of serviceability matter in this case.

With a wide range of choices available, choosing the right dive light can get a bit challenging. It is therefore, always a good idea to do a through research and analyze your requirements before heading to a shop. Depending on your budget and availability of product you can finalize on the dive light that is right for you.

Dive knives form an essential part of a diver’s diving uniform and used by diver’s during free diving or any other underwater diving expedition.

Using scuba dive knives

Compact and light weight, Dive knives are used as a general safety tool. Divers use these knives for various purposes, such as:

• Cutting through entanglements
• Dispatching speared fish to avoid attracting sharks
• Defend themselves from dangerous sea animals
• Some divers also use the sheen from the blade of dive knives to attract schools of fish

Dive knives are for your own safety and need to be handled carefully to avoid accidents. One has to understand that it is tool and not the weapon. This said it is important to choose your diving knife wisely keeping in mind possible scenarios:

• It is a good idea to choose a diving knife with a sharp and serrated edge so that it can be used both for cutting and sawing
• A lot of novice divers are instructed to use folding dive knives. It is easy to understand why
• Choose a knife with a flat head. This not only acts a tool for fixing gauges but minimizes accidental nicks and cuts
• By a choosing dive knives with hard disk pommels you can use the same as a hammer
• It is advised to strap your diving knife to the inside of your thigh or lower leg.

Maintenance

Regular maintenance ensures the longevity of dive knives.  Sharpen the knives from time to time, plain edge with a file and the serrated one with jigs. You can also seek professional help for the servicing of your knives. To keep rusting at bay clean and scrub your knife after every dive with fresh water to remove any salt deposits.

There are a number of dive knives available in the market with a variety of finish, steel, titanium, black and more. Understand the purpose of your diving routine and choose your knife accordingly. Please note that marine life is precious and your knife is a tool, therefore do not destroy or harm any kind of water life for fun.

Compass

If there is an equipment that has been a steady companion of a traveler from the ancient ages to the modern age of technological advancements it is the use of a Compass. Throughout the ages the Compass has guided travelers and voyagers with directions and knowledge of the direction of the winds as well. It has been the guiding force of ships in the middle of the biggest oceans and travelers who were lost in the deserts. The use of a compass is in vogue even today when it comes to seeking directions.

Diving Compass Navigation

A compass is of immense importance when it comes to underwater navigation. It is imperative for a diver to now the direction of his travel after being completely immersed in water. A diving compass helps a diver to know the direction of his travel after his descent and exactly where he has to get where he can prepare to resurface after his exploration is over.

Scuba Diving Compass

Once a diver is underwater it is impossible for him to understand the direction of the position of the sun. This increases the importance of a scuba diving compass for a diver. Besides there are some places in the world where diving explorations that are carried out after nightfall also both for recreational and scientific purposes. It is with the help of a compass that scuba diving expeditions can be safe for a diver.

It is often a matter of confusion to a diver especially those who are new in the field about the way a compass functions. You as a user too may be in doubt as to which part of the compass functions as a direction provider – the card or the needle. Well, it is neither the card nor the needle but in fact the case of the compass that moves to provide the directions.

You have to hold the compass parallel to your body when you want to know the direction; even a slight difference of angle can result in erroneous results.

Diving Wrist Compass

It would always be a preferable option for a diver to have equipments in his scuba gear that are functional and easy to handle. So while conventionally he is to hold a compass with his hands to know the direction the use of a diving wrist compass can go a long way to make the task more convenient for him.

Some of the features of a diving wrist compass that makes them invaluable in diving are as follows.

• Illuminated Dial
• Large Dial Face for Easy Viewing
• 10 degree Graduation Marks
• 369 Degree Rotating Bezel
• Top and Side Reading Window
• Retractable Wrist Band

Digital Dive Compass

There are some divers who have a constant problem in deducing results from a conventional analog diving compass. To make things easy for such people in an underwater situation there are digital dive watches. The basic procedure of using them remains the same mostly but the results appear on the screen in digital numbers that can be read accordingly by the diver.

This is very useful and of immense help to people who are otherwise uncomfortable with the measurement system of an analog compass and may end up making severe mistakes in understanding directions.

Diving Watches

The term diving watches are allocated for the category of wrist watches that are made with exceptional resistance to water. These watches are mainly used for purposes of diving and underwater exploration that needs to sustain extreme depths of water pressure.

Each watch comes with a specified limit of water depth that it can sustain as mentioned by the manufacturer seal at the back of the watch.

There are several famous watch manufacturing companies of the world that have ranges of diving watches in various designs and special features. They need to have underwater visibility for the diver. It is important for the different hands of the watch to be readable by the diver and thus highlighted or illuminated watch designs are vital in dive watches. The watch case is shock proof and also resistant to chemical and magnetic reactions. These will keep the watch from rusting and fungal growth.

Some of the noteworthy diving watch manufacturing companies of the world are:

• Seiko
• Rolex – Rolex Sea Dweller
• Longines
• Citizen – Citizen Promaster Eco-Drive
• Omega – Omega Seamaster

Scuba Diving Watches

The foremost feature of a scuba diving watch is it being waterproof resistance to water. The depth is usually specified by the manufacturer in the watch about the extent to which a watch can sustain the depth and pressure of water. There are several famous names in the world of watches that are into the manufacture of scuba diving watches. There are watches that are available in separate ranges for men and women. Popular manufacturers are as the following.

• Casio
• Citizen
• Seiko
• Omega
• Rolex

Ladies Diving Watches

The one thing that sets apart a ladies diving watch from that of a man is its design. Ladies diving watches are a range that is manufactured keeping in mind the different style that will be attached to it when worn by a woman.

The size of the watch dial may be comparatively less than that found in a dive watch for men even though the basic features of illuminated dial hands and numerical design will have to be similar. Other aspects of a dive watch like that of water resistance and shock proof will also have to be present.

Men’s Diving Watches

There are dive watches that are classified as Men’s watches more because of certain features that make them different from those worn by women. Primarily the watches that are worn by men are bigger in their dial size and visibility as well. This is owing to the fact that the physical buildup of men is oftentimes bigger leading to a wider and broader wrist formation. This would need bigger sized watch dial that would enhance underwater visibility for male divers.

Some of the best watch manufacturers are engaged in the manufacture of men’s diving watches that are not only useful with advanced features but are equally fashionable in design too.

Some of the noted names of Men’s diving watch manufacturers are as follows.

• Breitling
• Casio
• Omega
• Rolex

Digital Diving Watches

There are watch lovers who apart from functional qualities also love to own classic watches. But for others who are only concerned with the functional approach of a diving watch a digital diving watch will be a suitable choice for them. The digital diving watch that has a water resistance of at least 200 meters under water and comes with an affordable price tag is a good choice for regular divers.

Diving Gauges

Diving gauges is part of the scuba gear. It is an equipment that helps in multiple functions when it comes to measurements of several things underwater with the diver. There are four aspects of measurements that are successfully taken care of by a diving gauge as stated below.

• Depth Gauge – The depth of the diver under water
• Submersible Pressure Gauge – The measurement of the supply of air to the diver
• Time Measurement – Underwater measurement of time
• Compass – Measurement of the diver’s direction of movements
• Temperature Measurement – Measurement of temperature of the water around the diver

Scuba Diving Gauges

The nature of a sport determines the types of accessories and equipments that it may require. The nature of an adventure sport like scuba diving will elaborate the need for scuba diving gauges. The entry of a human who is naturally unaccustomed to breathing in water and sustaining an underwater life for too long makes it imperative that he carries with him an equipment that can measure the depth where he can be located or enable him to know the temperature of the water that he is in. there are several purposes for which a scuba diving gauge may be used and each one is important by its own.

Diving Pressure Gauges

Diving Gauges Reviews

There are several makes of diving gauges that are available in the market. Here is a list of some of the products of different companies and the reviews based on popular opinion by users.

• Oceanic SWIV Console with Max Depth Indicator – Though there are certain good attributes among the features of this product there are also some points that are rated against it. Users are of the opinion that the glass cover needs protection.
• XS Scuba 3 Gauge Navigator Console with Max Depth Indicator – It is easily readable even in low light along with other advantages of a good performance and a comfortable fit.
• Genesis 3 Gauge Inline Console with Max Depth Indicator – It has a rare combination – a slim body and a high performance. The largeness of the panel view makes it easy to read and the streamline shape makes it easy to fit.
• Scubamax Pony Bottle Pressure Gauge – This is a cost effective and affordable gauge that would suit everyone. The wider face of the dial makes for easy viewing. It also fits inn easily.

Diving Digital Gauges Buying Guide

It is important to note a few things about the diving digital gauges before you buy them. There are certain features that are vital in function and their presence in the gauge is very necessary and the absence of these will render the gauge as not so useful.

• Readability – it is important to note if the gauge is easily readable even in low light.
• Weight – the gauge cannot be a viable buy it is very heavy.
• Rubber Cover – it is important that a gauge is well protected from any damage like scratches and saline water.
• Hose Length – the length of the gauge should be checked to see if it is appropriate and fits well.

Dive Log Book

A dive log book is used by a scuba diver to record the details of his dives for future references. It helps a diver to store data that are related to the style and methods that he may have implemented for his dives. There are a number of innovations that have taken place in a regular dive log book and these are available in the form of digital computers that enable users to record all relevant data about dives of a scuba diver. However it is mostly observed that the pattern or format of data input storage is similar in digital versions as was present in the original books maintained by divers that were called a dive log.

Scuba Diving Log Book

There is a certain pattern that is followed in a scuba diving log book. There are a number of sections that are made to record the data appropriately. Here is a list of the names of each section found in a scuba diving log book.

• Headings – This has all the basic details of a diver along with the time date.
• Dive Profile – This records the data of a dive that includes the place and the style or nature of a dive.
• Equipments Details of a Particular Dive – The various equipments carried on a particular diving expedition and their purpose.
• Weather Conditions – There is a record maintained of the weather conditions both above water level and the underwater conditions.
• Observations and Notes – This is a mention of any particular observation that the diver may have made during his exploration. He may also place notes that were taken during the exploration mainly for future references.
• Authentication – There is a section where a diver takes a signature of his partner diver as a mark of authenticity of his exploration.

PADI Log Book

There are a variety of PADI logbooks that are available with a number of uses for each one of them.

• PADI Diver’s Blue Log Book – This is a log book that is used by all those divers who have begun to venture in diving in open waters. It is a record of all their training details as well as their solo ventures.
• PADI Red Logbook – This red colored logbook is used to record all important and relevant details and information about diving ventures. Divers may find it interesting to note the unimportant details of their dives for later references also as there is enough space across pages.
• PADI Logbook Startup Module – This logbook is used for data storage of all those divers who are into the beginning of open water diving ventures. It also is a record of medical details and information too.
• CORDURA Logbook from PADI – This is an all inclusive logbook that has enough space to store important information as well as all those exciting adventure stories about diving expeditions.
• PADI Professional Training Logbook – This is a logbook that is used by trainers to record data about training sessions and the activities done by students in various sessions.

SSI Dive Log Book

The Scuba Schools International or SSI is a scuba diving school that teaches interested candidates. They have training centers and schools all over the world that enable divers with extensive training in different kinds of diving programs and styles.

The SSI dive log book is a well thought out format of maintaining records and data of diving expeditions as well as training sessions.

Scuba Fins

Have you ever noticed the tail of a fish? The way it gradually tapers at the end?  Well that’s a feature that helps the fish and many other underwater creatures to swim without having to use their hands. If you have noticed carefully fishes don’t have hands to spread out the water also.

Now you might be wondering what has fins got to do with scuba diving and underwater exploration for humans. Well a similar equipment in your scuba gear will help you to swim like a fish while it leaves your hands free for you to explore underwater life better. Now doesn’t that sound exciting? Swimming in the natural way takes a lot of arm and hand strength but a pair of fins attached to your feet can help you sway like a natural under water and helps you to use your leg muscles more effectively. It also leaves you with more energy with your hands free.

Scuba Diving Fins

Scuba diving fins are also known by several other names like blades, flippers, swim fins and merely fin as well. There are certain varieties of fins that are available for the perfect choice among divers who go underwater for different reasons. These are as follows.

• Paddle Fins
• Vented Fins
• Mono Fins
• Flip Fins
• Split Fins
• Free Diving Fins

Scuba Gear Fins

An important aspect of a scuba gear is the pair of fins that is in it. Fins make an underwater exploration meaningful and enjoyable even if you are in for work purpose or adventure.  They also help in the right conservation of energy as the hands are left free to themselves. The presence of fins that are attached to your feet also help in the better functioning of leg muscles.

There are several shops that sell scuba gear fins of various specification styles. There are also several websites that allow you to shop in the convenience and comfort of your home at very affordable and discounted prices.

Scuba Mask Fins

Masks and fins are two of the most important parts of a scuba diving gear. They need to be chosen with care and precision so that they fit well and are of optimum use.

Scuba masks and scuba diving fins are offered inn packages to fit your needs and budget specifications. There are several websites that specialize in scuba diving gears and offer customized packages where you can select a mask and a pair of fins as per your choice of category. Here are the names of a few websites where you can browse masks and fins of various designs, usefulness and price range.

• www.joediveramerica.com
• www.divers-supply.com
• www.discount-divers.com

Scuba Fins Reviews

According to users of scuba fins there are several designs and varieties of fins available in the market. There are soft fins that will perform well in waters without much force or current in them. Though their mobility is less when it comes to excessive activity they are very comfortable to wear.  There are separate types of fins available for professional divers who would need durability and those that can withstand severe underwater conditions.

Fins may often come across to you as a tad bit expensive but do not be discouraged. There are different fins available for different types of dives and other underwater conditions.

The important thing that you should look for is the type of underwater conditions that you will face. This apart the water conditions and the individual kicking style is an important aspect to keep in mind.

Scuba Masks

The sport or pleasure of scuba diving would be quite imaginably considerably diminished had there been an absence of a scuba mask. The human face is not only an index of the mind but itself an identity of people. Thus there would be fewer takers to risk any damage to it in an underwater scenario by an equally large number of ferocious predators.

Secondly and an equally important reason for wearing a scuba mask would be the way by which a diver can attach themselves to the hose of the supply to the breathing gas well.

Scuba Diving Masks

The main purpose of a scuba diving mask is that of offering a better vision to a diver under water. The human eyes do not react efficiently against water especially when it is high on saline content. The mask is primarily a safety cover for the eyes and helps the diver to see well.

The second advantage and usage of a scuba diving mask is offering coverage to the nasal area. It can be adjusted accordingly in this way. It is very important to fit a scuba diving mask effectively on the face. You may have a larger face and thus a smaller mask on that will be inadequate.

Full Face Scuba Mask

A full face scuba mask is one that covers the entire face and continues as part of the scuba suit as it covers the head as well. It is complicated and yet offers unmatched safety to the diver. A complete seal off is on offer to the diver’s face along with inlet for a hose that goes in with the supply of breathing gas.

Apart from protection to the diver’s face from the saline water or even polluted water where present it also gives a better visibility of the underwater areas to a diver.

Full face masks are also a better way to allow better and safer breathing than an independent mouthpiece that needs to have a safe grip between the teeth of the diver. In case of emergency there could be serious repercussions if the diver fails to maintain the same hold of the mouthpiece in an underwater situation.

Kids             Scuba                    Masks

it is very important for you to understand the need for a scuba mask according to the size of a face. Thus when it comes to your kids there are a whole range of scuba masks for children that is on offer.

Scuba          Masks                   Reviews

There are reviews that are available based on the views and opinions that are expressed by users themselves. Here are some of the names and their feedback for your reference.

• Oceanic Shadow – This comes at a price of $27.95 dollars. According to popular opinion this is one scuba mask that offers value for money with an excellent seal and good visibility. There is a comfortable strap that is attached that makes for a good fit.
• Platina Mask – This is a popular name that has been in use for several years now. Apart from the seal and vision which are of the topmost standards it comes with an added feature. The addition of lens that comes with a prescription especially for those with poor vision.
• Atomic Subframe twin Lens – This comes at a relatively high price of $69.95 dollars and is one of the top of the line products of the Atomic range of scuba masks. It is slim with mineral glass lens that provides a good visibility. This mask is also a good evacuator of water.

Scuba Regulators

Scuba diving is a favorite with most people who love adventure sports and exploring the unknown under the seas and oceans of the planet Earth. Among all the equipments required for scuba diving scuba regulators are a vital and an important part of the kit. This is a device that helps to regulate the supply of breathing gas that is necessary for underwater breathing.

Scuba Diving Regulators

The initial of the word SCUBA originated from “Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus”. This is an independent way to regulate the process of breathing in an underwater situation.

The scuba diving regulator is a pressure regulator that is part of a scuba diving set or a surface supply of breathing gas to a diver. The pressure of the breathing gas needs to be given at an ambient pressure and can be given from one or even more compressed breathing gas cylinders. There are several valves as well in the diving regulator that controls the pressure of the gas as it is supplied out.

A scuba diving regulator also has a high pressure hose that is connected to it at the first stage. This hose leads the regulator to the contents gauge which is a gas measuring system in a diving cylinder. It helps a diver to know the amount of breathing gas remaining in the cylinder.

Oceanic Scuba Regulators

The Oceanic scuba regulators come from the pioneers of scuba diving equipment makers of the world. The company manufactures a wide range of equipments to facilitate scuba diving and has successfully ensured a better and safer underwater experience for people.

Oceanic scuba regulators have an optimized computer layout to meet the varied scuba diving requirements for various purposes. The style and design of the product that also includes it casing pattern is characteristic of a technological advancement made in this. The Oceanic Delta 4 range of scuba regulators has a flexible venture system along with a deflector vane that enable a diversion of the air flow from the valve to the mouthpiece. This helps to make way for fresh air in the breathing device. It is lightweight and made from materials that are buoyant in water.

Top Scuba Regulators

There are different kinds of scuba divers for a range of different reasons and purposes. This is precisely what makes the choice of an ideal or a few scuba regulators as top rated difficult. Despite the fact that there are various makes of scuba regulators in the market there are a few that have been rated by users as chosen ones.

• Scubapro MK25T/S600T Titanium Regulator
• Oceanic Delta 4 FDX 10 Diaphragm Regulator
• Scubapro MK25/S600 Regulator
• Apeks XTX200 Regulator
• Genesis “GS2000” Regulator GR450
• Aqualung Mikron Regulator
• Mares Proton Ice Extreme Regulator
• Sherwood SR1 Regulator
• Mares Abyss 22 Regulator
• Aqualung Legend LX ACD Regulator

Scuba Gear Regulators

Scuba gears are impressive assortments of equipments and tools that enable both scientists and adventure sports lovers equally to have an experience of a lifetime exploring the world beneath the seas and oceans of our planet. Scuba gear regulators form a vital part of the whole set of equipments. This is that part of the scuba gear that checks the supply of breathing gas and its pressure. Its advanced features also tell a diver about the amount of gas left for usage.

Scuba Tanks

A scuba tank is also known as the diving cylinder or the diving tank. It is a storage container for high pressure breathing gas in a scuba diving expedition. The use of breathing gas is a vital part of scuba diving for the diver and this makes the use of the scuba tanks more important.  The gas is supplied to the diver from the scuba tank with the help of a demand valve that is present in a scuba regulator.

Scuba Diving Tanks

Scuba diving tanks are usually made up of either aluminum or steel.

Aluminum tanks are commonly used and are less expensive than their steel counterparts. However the is a serious question mark on their durability as dents and other damages are very common. This is however the one that is also commonly available if you are looking forward to rented scuba tanks for your dive.

The internal volume capacity of a scuba tanks are usually capable of holding up 3 to 18 liters of high pressure breathing gas. This is also known as the water capacity of a cylinder.

The scuba diving tanks are attached to a diver with breathing gas blends that is used during a diving expedition by a diver.

Steel Scuba Tanks

There are scuba tanks made of steel that are more expensive but definitely long lasting in their term of usage. However steel tanks always have a risk of catching up with rust and thus will ask for regular checkups for maintenance and prevention of rusting and wearing out.
Steel tanks often produce scuba tanks that are less in weight than aluminum scuba tanks. It is because steel is more malleable and thus require lesser quantity for its manufacture. This apart steel scuba tanks are also more resistant to heat than aluminum scuba tanks.
The price of aluminum scuba tanks always help them to score a point as it is lower than steel but when it comes to durability and longer usage capability steel scuba tanks always manage to stay on top.

Buy Scuba Tanks

There are several shops that sell scuba diving equipment that could be the best place for you to start looking for your scuba diving tank. However this is an age of the internet and related websites that can always provide whatever information you want in the convenience of your own time and place. There are also sites that showcase many such products like scuba tanks and also ship them to you anywhere in the world at a nominal charge or even for free at times.

So before setting to buy your scuba tank out you can always check these few websites listed for you here.

• www.divebooty.com
• www.scuba.com
• www.nextag.com/scuba-tank-for-sale

High Pressure Scuba Tanks

The scuba tanks hold the compressed breathing gas that is also a blend of gases and is used by the diver during a diving expedition. The usual pressure that these tanks or gas containers can contain is from 200 bars to 300 bar. This is calculated at 2900 to 4400 PSI (pound per square inch).  The flow of air for the usage of the diver is regulated by the valve of the scuba regulator.