If the object in the picture is not immediately recognizable, it’s part of a fin strap buckle assembly we found at the edge of the water. It failed just as its owner was attempting to enter.
The good news is this happened at Blue Grotto. So even though the owner’s fins were no longer usable, they would have at least been able to borrow a pair from someone else or, worst case, rent one from us. Their dive would have been delayed but not ruined.
But what if this had happened on a dive boat? The odds of the diver coming up with another pair of fins on short notice are not good. This means the money they spent on travel, accommodations, meals, boat fees and equipment rental would be for nothing.
This underscores a point every diver should understand. That is, there is nothing more expensive than cheap equipment.
You don’t necessarily need the most expensive equipment available. But the gear you do invest in should be solidly built and reliable. In other words, a Toyota or Honda (just not a Fiat).
Your new equipment purchases should be backed up by a manufacturer’s warranty because you bought from an authorized dealer. You should be able to get life-support items such as BCs, regulators and computers serviced locally and not have to ship them halfway across the country.
With proper care, most dive equipment should provide years of reliable service. And it will, so long as you don’t try to cut corners or pinch pennies.