Millions of people take to the oceans every year to dive to its depths and experience the wonders of an unknown world under water. If you’re just joining the fray, then congratulations! You’re going to have an absolute blast.

But before you’re ready to hit the decks and make your first dive, you’re going to have to pick up a few items first. Read on for a thorough scuba diving equipment list to get started.

A Mask

The most important thing to pay attention to when you are buying a mask is the shape of your face. It used to be that there were only a few different designs, but now there are so many out there that you are bound to find one that contours to your brow and cheekbones properly.

Since you will be in a store not underwater, it may be difficult to test to see if a mask is completely sealed, but there are steps you can take to test it.

Start by trying to rest the mask on your face without putting the strap around your head. Are there gaps?

Then look forward and try to inhale through your nose, the mask should prevent any air from getting in.

Snorkel

There are also a ton of different snorkel designs out there all meant for people with different size and shape mouths as well as different needs.

But what you should focus on the most is finding a mouthpiece that seems like a good fit for you. You will also need to make sure that your snorkel attaches to your mask well and will be accessible to your mouth.

Finally, debate the size of your snorkel. Larger ones create more drag in the water, but smaller ones don’t hold as much air if you choose to dive underwater with it.

Flippers

Flippers, also called fins, are the final piece of your most basic scuba diving set up. To get started, ask yourself the same questions you would ask if you were buying shoes.

You need a pair that will be comfortable on your feet and that will work well for their purpose. The stronger your thigh muscles are, the larger fin you will be able to use. If you get fins that are too big for you, then they will cause muscle fatigue over time and you won’t be able to dive as long.

An Exposure Protection Suit

Since Toronto has such a cold-weather climate, it’s often necessary to purchase a form-fitting suit to keep your body heat in while you dive. These suits are most often made of neoprene rubber or spandex and are used to insulate your body against frigid waters.

A proper wetsuit should keep your body dry and not let water in. If you get wet then your body heat will transfer more easily into the water. So make sure you find a suit that is a very good fit for you, don’t leave any room to grow.

For the best suit possible, look for one that has wrist, ankle, and collar seals to prevent water from getting in. There should also be additional flaps behind the zippers to create a proper seal.

Drysuits such as the ones described are quite pricy and may run you as much as a thousand dollars. To save a little money, you can try to find a used gear shop in your area to see if there are any options available.

Life Support Equipment

If you are going deep sea diving, then you will need to also purchase life support equipment for your dive. Check out the major pieces below.

BC

Start by getting a “BC”, a vest used to hold your air tank and that also has buoyant pieces of foam in it to help you float to the surface.

There will be valves on the BC that are used to change the weight in the vest so that you sink or rise to the surface. Make sure you purchase one that has accessible and easy to use valves to ensure you have an easy diving experience.

BCs can run as much as a thousand dollars but they are also adjustable which mean no matter what you can have them for many years. Try to find one that you really like.

Regulators

A regulator is a device that converts the pressurized air in your tank into breathable air. Since the science behind these products is so well understood, there really aren’t any bad models that are sold in scuba diving stores. This is a great place to save money in your scuba diving budget.

To find the best regulator for your needs, talk to the professional at the shop you visit about the conditions you will be diving in.

Scuba Luggage Tag

Scuba diving equipment is notoriously expensive and when you are on a boat with a lot of other people and new to the sport, it can be easy to get your equipment mixed up with someone else’s.

That’s why it’s important to buy a scuba luggage tag to identify your equipment. It’s also great when you are traveling with a large group to a destination and everyone’s gear is coming off the belt at the airport at the same time.