Scuba Diving Equipment: The Snorkel

The snorkel is perhaps the simplest piece of Scuba Diving Equipment and also one of the most controversial pieces of Dive Equipment.  The snorkel itself is simply a plastic tube approximately 16 – 18 inches long and about 7/8 inches in diameter.  It is usually has the overall shape of the letter “J”.

Snorkels are used by scuba divers on most every dive.  A snorkel makes diving easier and more enjoyable.  Quality scuba snorkels, such as those by AERIS Diving Equipment, Mares Diving Equipment, Sherwood Diving Equipment and Scuba Pro Diving Equipment are constructed of high impact plastics.  They are slightly longer in length than a snorkeling snorkel to compensate for the scuba diver being slightly lower in the water.  Good snorkels have smooth inner surfaces to reduce drag and enhance ease of breathing.  The snorkel is usually purchased by the diver when they learn to scuba dive and is a required piece of Scuba Diving Equipment in almost all Dive Training.

Snorkel Options:
Snorkels with Purge Valves:

Snorkels are available in a variety of styles.  Most snorkels today have a Purge Valve.  A purge valve is a thin membrane or wafer that forms a one way valve at the bottom allowing water to drain out but not re-enter.  The purge valve makes a snorkel much easier to clear water from and thus easier to use.

Flexible or Contour Shaped Snorkels

While the overall shape of a snorkel is always a “J” shape the shaft can be either contoured to lock in the “J” shape or it can be flexible so the mouthpiece portion of the snorkel falls away when not being used.  The contour snorkel is used primarily by snorkelers who do not scuba dive since the snorkel is almost always in their mouths.

Scuba divers alternate between having a snorkel or the scuba regulator in their mouth.  The contour snorkel very nicely falls out of the way when using the scuba regulator so scuba divers usually prefer the Flexible Snorkel.

Snorkel Tops:
Open Top - Semi Dry Snorkel - Dry Snorkel

Open Top Snorkel: The least expensive snorkel has an open top.  This is probably the most commonly used snorkel due to the lesser costs involved.  This works well but in heavy rain or in waves water can run down the top of the snorkel barrel.

Semi Dry Snorkel: Many snorkels have a deflector on the top of the snorkel barrel.  This deflector is designed to deflect rain or waves and to keep the water from running down the barrel of the snorkel.  This is a useful feature and only adds about $10.00 to the price of the snorkel.

Dry Snorkel: Many snorkelers prefer to have a Dry Snorkel.  These snorkels have a lever or rotating piece that actually seals the top of the snorkel if the diver’s head goes under water.  This is a very useful feature for those who are just not comfortable with water in their snorkel.  This feature adds about $15.00 – $20.00 to the price of the snorkel but is well worth it if water in the snorkel bothers you.

Why Use A Snorkel When Scuba Diving?

At the very beginning of this article we stated that the snorkel was a controversial piece of scuba diving equipment.  Scuba Divers routinely use a snorkel to get from the back of the boat to the anchor line where they will descend.  The snorkel allows the divers to conserve their air supply while on the surface.  If the scuba diver is diving from shore he will snorkel out until he gets to deep water and will then submerge.  Again the snorkel saves air in the cylinder allowing for longer and safer bottom times.

All of the major scuba certification agencies require the use of a snorkel during scuba diver training.   This is for both practical and safety reasons.  Many scuba divers, however, prefer not to use a snorkel.  The reasons for this is to just carry one less piece of equipment.  The snorkel, however, is a safety item.  If the diver has a long surface swim or needs to wait a long period of time for the boat to pick them up the snorkel is not only convenient but can be life saving in the presence of severe waves or chop.  I personally, always scuba dive with a snorkel.

The Best Scuba Diving Equipment in Northern Virginia – Buying a Buoyancy Control Device or BCD

Why Should I purchase a BCD and not rent one?

Deciding to purchase Scuba diving equipment rather then renting it is a big decision and on of the best ones that you as a Scuba Diver will ever make.  And of all of the major pieces of Scuba Equipment in Northern Virginia the first to purchase is your Buoyancy Control Device or BCD.   Why is the BCD even more important to purchase then a regulator?  The answer is that your BCD comes in sizes and regulators do not.  Since we are all built differently and no two of us are exactly alike finding a good buoyancy control device that fits properly is hard to do and almost all of us would be better off with our own.  One that fits us properly rather then just wearing a rental BCD that probably does not fit exactly as it should.  Another reason is that men and women are obviously built differently.  Most resorts have generic BCD’s available for rent.  When on vacation you use what they have on hand whether it fits perfectly or not.  Consequently, rental BCD’s do not give you the control that your own Buoyancy Control Device would.

Selecting Scuba Diving Equipment Northern Virginia – What Buoyancy Control Device should I purchase?

This is an important question because Scuba Diving Northern Virginia is different then scuba diving elsewhere.  Why?  For one thing the water locally in Northern Virginia is colder then elsewhere so Scuba Diving Northern Virginia requires a heavier wetsuit then elsewhere.  A heavier wetsuit means that the Scuba Diver needs more weight to counter the thicker wetsuit.  Consequently, since the diver is using more weight the Buoyancy Control Device in Northern Virginia needs more lift then a BCD used in warmer waters like the Caribbean.

The trained staff at a Northern Virginia Dive Center like Aquatic Adventures will know this and help you select a BCD that can be used locally as well as on a Scuba diving vacation or trip to places like the Caribbean.

What Type of Buoyancy Control Device Should I Purchase?

There are several types of Buoyancy Control Devices and selecting the proper one for yourself is not overly difficult.  Start by selecting a local dive center that has a good assortment of quality brands of Scuba Equipment.  Scuba Pro Dive Equipment and Zeagle Diving Equipment are two of the finer lines of Buoyancy Control Devices available.  Zeagle Diving Equipment specializes in rear inflation BCD”s while SCUBA PRO has both jacket style BCD’s and rear inflation BCD’s.

Jacket Style BCD’s are the most popular and part of the reason for that is they have been around longer.  Another reason is that most dive centers and resorts use less expensive jacket style BCD’s in their rental line and people very often tend to purchase what they are most familiar with.

Jacket style BCD’s tend to be less expensive then the rear inflation BCD’s.  Since the jacket style BCD has a bladder that wraps completely around the diver it sometimes squeezes the diver when inflated and creates more drag when diving.  The rear inflation BCD has a bladder behind the diver so it is more comfortable and has less drag and resistance in the water.

Both styles are acceptable.  If you want a more traditional BCD, are not concerned with drag and resistance, and like feeling the squeeze so you know how much air you are putting into the BCD and want something a little less expensive then the jacket style BCD is perfect for you.  If you want less drag and resistance, to be more horizontal at depth and desire a more streamlined BCD for both diving and for packing then the rear inflation BCD is the way to go.

What is the Most Important Feature of a Buoyancy Control Device?

The single most important feature is how well it fits followed closely by does it have enough lift?  You will spend a considerable amount of time in your BCD so it should fit very comfortably.  Women especially have problems with fit and unless they are close in size to a man they should look for a BCD specifically built for a women.  If the BCD is uncomfortable it will effect your diving.  If you are concentrating on the discomfort  you will not be concentrating on diving (time, depth, etc) and you will also not be enjoying yourself as much.  The issue of lift we spoke about earlier.  Since most of us scuba dive in many different areas we often have different exposure protection for different areas and that changes the amount of weight that we might wear on a dive.  Our Buoyancy Control Device must be able to accommodate all of these.  It is far better to have more lift then you need rather then too little.

What Are Some of the Best Buoyancy Control Devices Available Today?

In the jacket style BCD the Pro Glide BCD by Scuba Pro Dive Equipment is perhaps the finest on the market.  The Avid BCD by Sherwood Diving Equipment is also an excellent jacket style BCD.  In the rear inflation Buoyancy Control Devices the Knight Hawk is an excellent BCD designed for men.  The Lady Hawk is the women’s version and both are made by Scuba Pro Dive Equipment.  Zeagle Diving Equipment makes the Stiletto for men and the Zena for women.  Both of these are excellent BCD’s and are modular so they can be custom fitted by the Dive Center.

A Final Word About Buoyancy Control Devices:

Which ever Buoyancy Control Device that you select make sure that you have seen it, held it and tried it on before purchasing it.  Always buy from a Dive Center and not on-line, that way you know the people who are helping you are divers and know dive equipment and not telephone order takers, who probably are not.  Be sure that the Dive Center is an authorized dealer for the brand Buoyancy Control Device that you are buying, like Aquatic Adventures in No Va.  Last, but not least, make sure that the Dive Center fits and adjusts the BCD before you leave the Dive Center.

Now, go out and enjoy that next great Aquatic Adventure!

Selecting the Best SCUBA Dive Equipment – Northern Virginia

Most SCUBA Divers initially learn to scuba dive with rental equipment.  Once they start to become more experienced and more proficient the majority of them make the decision to invest in better quality SCUBA Equipment for themselves.   At this point they really become a SCUBA Diver and should be congratulated and welcomed to the SCUBA diving community.

The Best Scuba Dive Equipment – is found at the Best Dive Center

Since there are so many quality brands of SCUBA Equipment deciding what to choose can be a daunting task.  One of the best ways to start is to select a Dive Center that has quality SCUBA Diving Equipment and whose advice you can trust.  You can search for Dive Centers on line and you can ask your friends who dive, what Dive Center they recommend.  A Google search for Dive Center in Northern Virginia would be one such way.  When you located a few local Dive Centers look to see if they are highly rated.  One of the highest Dive Center ratings is the PADI 5 Star Instructor Development  Dive Center rating.  This signifies a Dive Center that not only teaches SCUBA diving but trains divers to be SCUBA Instructors as well putting them well ahead of the most dive centers.  The Instructor Training is done by a PADI Course Director, the highest rated SCUBA Instructor there is.  Ask if the Course Director on staff works there full time or part time.  A full time Course Director indicates that they are serious about Instructor Training and is very desirable.  Last ask your friends and look for reviews to see if the Northern Virginia Dive Center is highly rated.  Testimonials on their webpage can be an indication of the best Scuba Dive Center in Northern Virginia.

What Brands of Scuba Dive Equipment should you select?

There are a lot of very good brands of Scuba Dive Equipment available.  Which is the best one for you?  This is another area that the Dive Center that you select can be of great assistance.  They probably carry a few highly rated brands and can help you select which is best for you individually.  Scuba Pro Dive Equipment is the highest rated line available.  They make several different Scuba Regulators so which Scuba Regulator is the best one for you?  A knowledgeable sales person at the local Scuba Dive Center can assist you in making that decision based upon the type of diving you do and how often you will Scuba Dive.

Besides Scuba Pro Diving Equipment, some of the other better brands of Scuba Diving Equipment are Sherwood Diving Equipment and Zeagle Diving Equipment.

Most important is that quality Scuba Diving Equipment requires annual servicing and you want to make sure that they Dive Center that you selected is able to accommodate this for you.  Make sure that you have your Scuba Diving Equipment serviced annually.  At Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy-Northern Virginia, we even send out reminders to our customers when it is time to have their Scuba Diving Equipment serviced.  In addition we routinely teach our customers  Scuba Diving Equipment Care that they purchased from us.

Now that we have looked at how to get started the next step is selecting what items to purchase.  Scuba Diving Regulator, Scuba Buoyancy Control Device or BCD and Scuba Diving Gauge Console or Scuba Diving Computer are the three items that most divers will  start with.  We will look at how to select these in our next discussion.

Scuba Dive Equipment in Northern Virginia?

Every Scuba Diver needs certain equipment to safely scuba dive and while most of the equipment is standard there are some variations in what is needed depending upon where you will scuba dive.  Today we will look at the regular scuba equipment needed and will also look at how it might differ in different locations such as Scuba Dive Equipment Northern Virginia.

Scuba Diving Mask

The human eye cannot focus in water.  The scuba mask provides an air space so your eyes can focus and you can see clearly underwater.  A properly fitted mask is not just a luxury item but your eyes to the underwater world.   There are several manufacturers of quality scuba masks: Sherwood Scuba, Scuba Pro, Mares and Aeris are just a few of the better brands available.

Snorkel

A snorkel lets you breathe with your face in the water, and to breathe more easily when waves are splashing about, without wasting air from your scuba tank. It’s especially useful when your cylinder is nearly empty and you have a long wait or swim to the boat or shore.  Snorkels come in several varieties and colors.

Scuba Fins

Fins are your means of propulsion while scuba diving.  Fins provide a large surface area to push against the water. This allows you to swim using your powerful leg muscles. This moves you more efficiently and frees your hands.

Fin Types:
Open heel adjustable – Open heel adjustable fins are the main fins used for scuba diving. They have the power to push you and your gear through the water. These fins require you to wear wet suit boots (booties). Booties also come in handy for shore dives to protect the bottoms of your feet when entering and exiting the water.

Full foot fins – Full foot fins aren’t adjustable and don’t require wet suit boots. They go on like slippers. Most smaller fins suited to snorkeling or very lightweight scuba diving are full foot fins

Scuba Exposure Suits

Water absorbs heat about 800 times faster than air does, so you cool rapidly in water. Also, the scuba diving environment sometimes has a potential for scrapes, stings and burns. Exposure suits help you retain heat and provide protection against incidental skin injuries and sunburn.  Scuba Divers in colder climates will use wetsuits that are thicker to provide extra warmth and protection.  While there are many manufacturers of quality exposure suits Henderson and Scuba Pro are among the finest.

Scuba Divers in exceptionally colder climates will use a dry suit when scuba diving. A dry suit will keep you warmer in colder climates since you are dry underneath.  This cuts down on the amount of heat conduction a scuba diver undergoes.  Most Dry Suit Divers will use a fabric suit with insulated underwear underneath appropriate to the local environment.  DUI Dry Suits are among the finest dry suits made.

Scuba Cylinder

A scuba cylinder (more commonly called “scuba tank”) holds compressed breathing air that you use during the dive. Modern scuba tanks are made from aluminum alloy or steel alloy and are rated to hold pressures as high as 200 bar/3000 psi.  Aluminum is by far the most common type of scuba cylinder in use due to its durability and lower cost.

Scuba Diving Regulator

The scuba regulator takes high pressure air from your scuba tank and adjusts it to the pressure you need for breathing. It supplies air only when you inhale (on demand), and directs your breath into the water when you exhale.

There are several different brands and types of scuba regulators available.  Divers in cold water areas like Northern Virginia will often select a scuba regulator that is environmentally sealed to prevent cold water freeze up or free flowing of the regulator.  Some of the better known and higher quality scuba regulators are the Sherwood SR-1 regulator and the Scuba Pro MK25/S600 regulator.  Mares and Zeagle also make quality regulators.

Buoyancy Control Device or BCD

The buoyancy control device or BCD allows you to add or release air from a bladder so that you can adjust your buoyancy. This lets you float, hover or descend slowly at will. The BCD is, or integrates with, the harness that holds the scuba cylinder on your back and unites this and the scuba regulator into a single scuba unit.

There are two main types of buoyancy control devices: the jacket style and the rear inflation style.

The Jacket Style BCD is the most popular style in recreational diving, this style BCD combines the harness and air bladder into a single compact, sleek unit. The bladder is primarily along your back, but sweeps forward under your arms for balance when inflated at the surface.  The Sherwood Avid and the Scuba Pro Glide Pro and two of the more popular Jacket Style BCD’s.

The Rear Inflation or Back Mount BCD is rapidly gaining in popularity.  Since the bladder is in the back it is more streamlined and offers less drag then the traditional Jacket Style BCD.  The Zeagle XZena and the Scuba Pro Lady Hawk are two very popular women’s rear inflation BCD’s.  The Zeagle Stiletto and the Scuba Pro Knight Hawk are popular mens rear inflation BCD’s.  All four are of exceptional quality and include integrated weight systems for easy use.

Dive Computer or Gauges

When ever you scuba dive you need to know how long you have been down, how much air you have left and what your remaining no decompression time is.  Do this and you will be a safe diver – neglect any of these and you are putting yourself and your dive buddy at risk.  While many scuba divers use standard gauges for air and depth, today more and more are using scuba diving computers to monitor this information.  There are several very good dive computers available today and fast becoming the most popular are the air integrated computers.  These will monitor both your remaining air time and your remaining no decompression time.  Two of the most popular models with hoses are the Sherwood Wisdom Computer and the Aeris AI Computer console.   Air Integrated Computers are also available in hoseless models as well.  In this case a radio transmitter sends the information from the regulator to the wrist computer.  The Aeris T-3 and the Scuba Pro Luna are two of the more popular of these units.

Whichever you choose make sure that you read the manual and monitor the computer frequently.  Next time we will look at Accessory Equipment that is part of your Scuba Dive Equipment Northern Virgnia.

Selecting Your Buoyancy Control Device or BCD in Northern Virginia

Your Buoyancy Control Device or BCD is probably one of the very first items of Scuba Diving Equipment that a Scuba Diver should purchase for his or her self.   Since the BCD is such a personally fitted piece of equipment it is important that it fit properly in order to get the most control and comfort from it.   Rental BCD’s rarely fit properly and if they do not have your size in rental you will have to make do with a size that really not only does not fit but may be a safety hazard as well.  Selecting the right Buoyancy Control Device for you is very important.

What is a Buoyancy Control Device?

Your BCD is a device that performs many important functions while scuba diving.  It holds your scuba cylinder in place on your back.  In addition it has a bladder that can be filled with air from your scuba regulator allowing you to adjust the amount of buoyancy that you have during your scuba dive.  When it is inflated it becomes positively buoyant allowing the scuba diver to float on the surface with ease.  When you let all the air out the scuba diver becomes negatively buoyant and can sink below the surface of the water.  By putting a small amount of air in the BCD you can become neutrally buoyant at depth allowing you to float effortlessly at any given depth.

Types of Buoyancy Control Devices – Jackets vs Rear Inflation

There are two main types of BCD’s – the Jacket Style and the Rear Inflation Style.  The Jacket is the most common since it has been around longer.  The Jacket Style has a bladder that goes almost all the way around the BCD that inflates when you add air.  The Jacket Style tends to float you more upright on the surface but when diving you are at more of an angle at depth then horizontal so there is more drag.   The wider bladder on the Jacket Style also creates more drag then the Rear Inflation BCD.  The Sherwood Avid BCD and the Scuba Pro Glide Pro BCD are two fine Jacket style BCD’s that also feature integrated weights to allow more comfort and versatility.

The Rear Inflation BCD has a bladder in the back of the BCD.  Since the bladder is only in the back it is more streamlined and tends to float you more horizontally when diving at depth.  The Scuba Pro Knight Hawk BCD and the Zeagle Stiletto BCD are two of the most popular rear inflation BCD’s available for men.  The Sherwood Luna BCD and the  Scuba Pro Lady Hawk BCD along with the Zeagle Zena BCD are among the most popular BCD’s designed for women.  All of these fine Buoyancy Control Devices feature weight integration as well.

The Importance of Lift in a Buoyancy Control Device

Since  Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy is located in the Alexandria area of Northern Virginia we are diving locally in predominately cold water.  Since we are in colder water we need to wear a thicker scuba diving wetsuit for warmth.   The thicker wetsuits also require additional weights when diving to offset their increase natural buoyancy.  Thus a Buoyancy Control Device used in these waters has to have more lift then a Buoyancy Control Device used only in warm water.  A Buoyancy Control Device that is used in cold water can easily be used in warm water.  The reverse, however, is not true.  Buoyancy Control Devices designed for warm water usually do not have enough lift for colder water and can create a dangerous situation for the diver when diving in cold water.

Special Buoyancy Control Devices for Women and Children

Women and children and built differently then men.  A women requires a Buoyancy Control Device that is designed for the female frame.  It usually is cut shorter in the waist, higher in the hips and the straps articulate back farther then a Man’s BCD in order not impinge on the bust line.  A child lacks the shape and development of an adult.  In addition their smaller size dictates that an appropriate BCD for a child be built smaller then that for an adult.  Just as you would seek specialized scuba courses for a child you will want specialized scuba equipment for a child diver.

How Do I Decide Which is Best for Me?

Selecting any Scuba Diving Equipment starts by selecting a place to purchase the equipment.  A quality Dive Center will have a good variety of quality scuba equipment to choose from.  In addition they will have staff that is knowledgeable about the equipment that they sell.  They should be able to offer SCUBA Diving Equipment Servicing after the sale to enable you to get the most out of your purchase.  The staff should take the time to describe the features of the various Buoyancy Control Devices and show you how to work the releases and adjustments.  They should above all be an Authorized Dealer for the brands of equipment that they sell and they should stand behind the equipment and assist you with any problems after the sale.  It does not hurt to ask others who have dealt with the Dive Center what they think about the service.

A good quality Buoyancy Control Device will last years and years with proper care.  Purchasing one from a knowledgeable Dealer, trying it on to make sure it fits, and knowing that the Dealer will service it after the sale and stand behind the product will insure that you are happy with your purchase and get the most for your money.

Selecting Your Scuba Diving Regulator in Northern Virginia

Why would selecting a Scuba Diving Regulator in Northern Virginia be any different then in selecting a Scuba Diving Regulator anywhere else?  The answer lies in the temperature of the local diving conditions.  Open Water dives in the North Eastern United States is definitely colder then in the Caribbean, therefore the Scuba Diving Equipment being used must be appropriate for the environment.   Aside from that what other factors will determine what Scuba Diving Regulator you will select for you use?  Lets take a look at these factors one at a time.

How Deep Will You Be Diving With Your Scuba Diving Regulator?

A Scuba Diving Regulator will have to pump more air on deeper dives then it will on shallower dives.  Therefore Scuba Divers who often dive deeper will need a Scuba Regulator that is balanced so that it breathes evenly throughout the dive regardless of depth.  All reputable regulator manufacturers make balanced regulators but like anything else some are better then others.  In addition the manufacturers will make balanced regulators in several price ranges so that they can provide product for divers regardless of price range.  For example Sherwood Diving Equipment offers the Brut Regulator, the Magnum Regulator and the SR-1 Regulator which are all come with various features to fit most price ranges.  ScubaPro and Zeagle do the same.   ScubaPro offers the MK25/s600, the MK11/C300 while Zeagle will offer the Mark VII, the  50-D and the DS-V Regulators.  Sub Gear will offer both the Cayman Regulator and the Bonaire Regulator for those divers seeking a balanced regulator.  Obviously if you are doing any type of technical diving you would want a regulator that is balanced for deeper diving.

Diving with Enriched Air – Nitrox:

Not all Scuba Diving Regulators are approved for use with Enriched Air – Nitrox.  Some are approved out of the box and some must have a conversion kit installed in order to use Enriched Air.  Some cannot use enriched air at all.  Scuba Pro Regulators, Zeagle Regulators, Mares Regulators and Aeris Regulators are approved for use with Nitrox out of the box.  The newer Sherwood Regulators are also approved for use with Nitrox.  Since Technical Divers often dive with enriched air or other mixtures your scuba regulator must be able to accommodate these mixtures.

How Cold is the Water?

We mentioned earlier in this article that water temperature has a bearing of the Scuba Diving Regulator that you might use.  In colder water your Scuba Regulator should be either environmentally sealed or have a special heat sink to allow its use in colder water.  Sherwood Regulators, most Zeagle Regulators and many of the Aeris Regulators are environmentally sealed.  Several of the ScubaPro regulators such as the MK25 have heat sinks installed to allow its use in colder water.  The Scuba Pro MK17 is also environmentally sealed.  The use of regulators that are not environmentally sealed or do not have a heat sink can lead to free flows in colder water.

Proper Care of Your Diving Equipment:

Regardless of how good your diving equipment is unless you take proper care of it you will not get the most from it nor will it last as long as it should.  Any Quality Dive Center like Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy will provide proper support for your equipment after you have purchased it.  This should include both instruction on proper use and service after the purchase.  Proper instruction on your equipment care after the purchase should include the do’s and don’ts of what to do and not to do regarding your purchase.  This includes helping you, the consumer, with warranty repairs if needed.

Where to Buy Your Scuba Equipment?

Deciding to buy scuba equipment is only the first step.  Deciding what to buy and where to buy it is just as important.  Since all major Scuba Equipment Manufacturers make quality products deciding where to buy it may be the single most important decision of all.  Select a Dive Center that has a good reputation, has been in business for a long while and has a good reputation for both quality equipment and standing behind the equipment that they sell.  In Northern Virginia, Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy has one of the finest reputations if not the finest reputation for quality product, standing behind the products that they sell and post purchase service of any dive center in the Northern Virginia, D.C. Metropolitan Area.