Why is owning your own dive equipment important? Here are six reasons.
1 Familiarity
Diving with unfamiliar equipment can be distracting. You waste time focusing on things like:
- How does this particular BC work?
- Why does this regulator breathe funny?
- Why are these fins so hard to kick?
When you dive with familiar equipment, you can focus on the dive, not the gear.
2 Comfort and fit
Even familiar equipment can be distracting if it doesn’t fit correctly. Equipment that is too large or too small can not only be annoying, but it can also be downright uncomfortable.
With rental equipment, you never know if it is going to fit. When you dive with your own equipment, you know it will fit correctly. This can have a significant impact on overall comfort.
3 Cleanliness
Dive equipment can harbor bacteria and other microorganisms. This is especially true if it’s not cleaned correctly. We sanitize all of our rental gear as soon as it is returned. Unfortunately, not everyone does.
When you have your own gear, you can ensure it’s cleaned properly and stored correctly. This can reduce the risk of infection.
4 Availability
When you own your own equipment, you needn’t worry whether what you need will be available for rent. This can be especially important if you need equipment in hard-to-come-by sizes.
5 Time
Renting equipment may force you to make additional trips to the dive center that wouldn’t be necessary if you had your own equipment. This can cost you both time and gas. Trying on rental gear or learning to use unfamiliar equipment can also cost you time.
6 Money
Renting dive equipment is like renting a house or apartment. You are putting money in someone else’s pocket instead of your own. Renting dive gear can be expensive, especially if you travel a lot.
Owning your own equipment saves you money in the long run. Regulators, BCs, dive computers and other equipment can last years with proper care. How much will you spend over the next ten years if you must constantly rent equipment?
Also, remember that if you own your own gear, you will dive more often. This provides a better return on your investment in learning to dive and will also help you maintain critical knowledge and skills.
The bottom line
Owning your own equipment can save you both time and money. It can enhance comfort, safety and enjoyment and help you get a better return on your investment in learning to dive.