How much does it cost to buy basic Scuba Diving Equipment?

Question

When you answer please provide a list of basic scuba equipment with prices, and a list of scuba accessories with prices.

Answer 1

Basic dive gear includes

BCD     $250-$600

Tank     $150-$200

Regs    $250-$600 add a computer add $250-$1700

Mask, Fins, Snorkel  $80-$200

Full Wet Suit depending on type and size $100-$800

I know that is a large difference in prices, but depending on where and when you dive will affect the type of gear you purchase.  Diving in the warm waters of the Flordia Keys and diving in the cold waters of the North Atlantic will require different types of gear.  Also depends on how many "Bells and Whistles" you are looking for.  Scuba gear is an investment, treated well it will last you years.  Remember that this stuff can save your life so don't look for "bargains" and sacrafice quality for price.  That price may be your life.  I can not stress enough to have your gear serviced, by a professional.  You can also tend to get a better price if you talk to a shop and purchase a full set as opposed to one piece at a time.  Hope this helps a little.

Answer 2

Basic snorkeling equipment package

$125.00 to 225.00 and up - 10% discounted price for Scuba Venture students.

  The cost of your basic equipment package is separate because you may already own the appropriate equipment.

  Basic equipment package includes:

  - Scuba mask

  - Adjustable fins

  - Dive boots

  - Snorkel

  - Logbook



Hope this helps =)

Answer 3

Agree for the most part with Eric MP's answer.  A couple modifications:  in most cases you don't need to own your own tank.  Most people dive where there is a dive shop, and every dive shop I've worked with rents tanks.  I don't own a tank because I don't want to keep up with the cost of inspections and service.

You may want to own your own weights and belt or not.  You'll never ever carry weights when you're flying to dive; dive shops in such places rent weights and belts.  However, my wife and I drive to dive locations sometimes so we own pocket belts and shot-bag weights.  They're more comfortable than hard cast weights.

A cost that others haven't listed is annual service.  You'll spend about $35/yr for inspections and an additional $50 every other year for regulator servicing (replace O-rings, adjustment).

You'll want to spend $10 at some point on a tube of AquaSeal for fixing tears or worn places on your wet suit.

You'll also want to spend $10 on a bottle of BC Wash for rinsing the inside of the bladder and the outside of the BC.  Washing your gear, you don't have to use fancy soap - I use hot water and borax and soak gear in the bathtub.

Plan on spending about $100 along the way for 'bits and pieces' like a hanger for your back-up regulator, a slate, a whistle, a Safety Sausage, snap-swivels and retractors for gauges and stuff.  

If you're going to do any amount of reef diving, or you're going to night dive, you'll want an underwater flashlight - another $100.

SCUBA isn't a cheap hobby.  Fortunately, the bulk of the equipment is a one-time expense with a few annual maintenance costs.