MASK
Tempered glass 420 and not plastic. Masks must be fitted and tested in a pool before going to the ocean. A quality SCUBA mask will run anywhere from $45 – $75. Cheap silicone leaks due to poor molding. Not a good situation at 60′ for a student diver.
Personal gear can be exchanged during training. Make sure your mask fits before
going to the ocean dives. Buy from the store you are taking lessons with!
These are the items needed to take this course
GLOVES
Only needed for Monterey divers. Get a good pair of 5 finger 3-5mm neoprene gloves. Gloves keep you warm but also protect you from sharp rusty things.
BOOTS
You will need a pair of 5mm or 7mm thick neoprene high top boots for diving in cold waters such as Monterey. 3mm or thinner boots are fine for warmer waters. Boots keep you warm but they also keep your feet protected from cuts and scrapes.
FINS
You will need a real pair of fins for diving. Scuba fins are different from snorkeling fins. Lightweight snorkeling fins will not suffice. Divers need real propulsion because tanks and weightbelts are heavy. They range from $50 – $150. Watch for flimsy imitations.
SNORKEL
A snorkel allows a diver to rest comfortably at the surface despite swells. We also use them to snorkel out to a dive site. This allows us to conserve the precious air in our tanks. They will cost anywhere from $12 – $50 depending upon features. Snorkels are required for the PADI Open Water Scuba Class.
We include Instructional Gear if needed: BC jacket, regulator, computer, tanks, weights, wetsuit and hood. It is provided during pool lessons and Monterey ocean dives (if you choose to do Monterey).