Buy, Buy, Baby
You're taking the plunge and making diving a major part of your life. You may even be taking rescue-diver classes or learning to safely plan and execute wreck dives. There are a lot of choices for those who dive frequently, just like to own their own stuff, or are becoming technical or working divers.
Buoyancy Compensators
A buoyancy compensator (BC) helps you drop down into the water, helps you come back up, and lets you fine tune your stability at a given depth. A good BC, properly used, helps you use your energy most efficiently, and fit is paramount. There are many styles of BC, tailored to different types of diving as well as different body types. Read up, ask questions at the dive shop, and be clear about the kind of diving you plan to do. Expect to pay: $250 to $750.
Regulators
Regulators have two "stages": a piece that attaches directly to the tank and steps down the pressure of the air from the tank, and a second stage, attached to the mouthpiece, that steps the pressure down to the "ambient" pressure, the pressure you're at at the time (on the surface or under water). The technology has improved steadily, and if you have a choice between a new model and a last year's model, it's probably worthwhile to consider the newer model. That said, quality does not directly relate to price -- there are some high-quality, easy-breathing, light regulators for under $400. Expect to pay: $200 to $1500.
Wetsuits and Dry Suits
Wetsuits were introduced almost 50 years ago and immediately made diving more comfortable -- and safer. The rubber itself, which is fairly stretchy, does become wet, but it is filled with tiny gas bubbles, which form an insulating layer against the skin. The best dive wetsuits take the form of a "Farmer John" (a sleeveless one-piece suit) with a jacket worn over it, resulting in maximum thickness over the trunk while leaving flexibility in the arms and legs.
Dry suits form a complete seal against the water -- you could "wear a tuxedo" underneath a dry suit. A dry suit is a good choice for divers who dive deep, take long dives, cold-water dive regularly, or do technical diving. Both types of suits are available with custom sizing, and size really does matter -- especially with wetsuits, where the closeness of the fit determines how well they insulate. Expect to pay: $200 to $1000 for wetsuits; $800 to $2000 for dry suits.
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