Are you a newly certified diver contemplating the pros and cons of purchasing your own dive gear? If so, first off, congratulations! Welcome to an amazing gift you've given yourself: a lifetime full of breathtaking adventures. Now that you're ready to go out and dive on your own, there are a lot of things to consider when deciding whether to buy your own dive gear or not. There are many advantages to owning your gear, but the real question is "Where do I start?" Many divers will tell you that the single most important piece of dive gear you should purchase is your own dive computer. We also know it is the most expensive equipment item to invest in so we've put down some great reasons here as to why you should own one.
Why you need your own dive computer:
Accuracy:
A dive computer is much more accurate than using dive tables (and WAY more modern). Dive computers track your dive foot-by-foot, minute-by-minute to give you the most accurate no-decompression time. This function allows you to stay safely underwater as long as possible, whereas, dive tables are only based on the deepest part of your dive, not crediting you for the shallower parts.
Ascent Rate Monitor:
All modern dive computers come with built in ascent rate monitors. You’ve probably heard the adage, “Don’t ascend faster than your smallest bubble.” Well, when does that bubble get too big? When are you supposed to follow up a new “smallest bubble?” Dive computers eliminate the ascent guessing game by monitoring your ascent speed with visual and audible alarms.
Dive Log:
Dive computers are like having a built-in, automatic dive log. Most modern dive computers have computer download capabilities so that you can keep an electronic dive log on your home computer. This way, no matter where you dive, you'll have an accurate account of all of your diving adventures!
Portability:
If there’s only room for one piece of dive gear in your luggage, a dive computer is probably the most important, and easiest, piece of gear to bring with you. If you plan on renting gear on your dive vacation, you can at least throw your computer into your luggage and easily have the dive shop attach it to your rental reg. This way you'll have a computer you trust, know how to use, and the ability to log all of those vacation dives on!
With all of these great reasons, we hope you see the value in owning your own dive computer. Stay tuned to our blog next week where we will help you weed through the endless options so you can select the perfect dive computer. Our dive experts here at Underseas Scuba Center are also always available to answer any questions you may have, so come on in!
