05/14/2025

What equipment to start diving ? The complete guide to properly equip yourself

Whether you are about to pass your level 1 or simply want to equip yourself for your first immersions in the pool, you are in the right place!

From the mask to the regulator, through the wetsuit, we guide you through a selection of reliable and accessible diving equipment, allowing you to discover diving in the best conditions. Our goal: to help you fully live this passion that drives us all.

Scuba diving!

Diving is to immerse yourself in a fascinating universe, rich in biodiversity and unique sensations. But beyond escape, it is also a demanding discipline, which requires technical skills and adapted equipment, even to start.

No need to invest in high-end equipment from the start: for your first bubbles, entry-level equipment is more than enough. It will easily withstand the shocks, scratches or small inevitable incidents when you start.

The first steps to start well.

Before diving in a natural environment, it is essential to follow training in the pool, in group or private lessons. This passage is crucial for learning to evolve underwater, communicating with partners, equipping oneself and unbalancing oneself safely.

You will also need to acquire some theoretical basics to understand the underwater environment, as well as the safety instructions for your instructor. Once you have mastered all this, you will be ready to pass your level 1, which will allow you to dive supervised up to 20 meters deep.

Common small mistakes in dives

You have obtained your level 1 in diving? Bravo! And now?

Even if you are trained, mistakes can quickly happen... and underwater, some can have consequences. The good news? Many of them are easily avoidable if we know them!

Let’s see this together!

1. The air shortage

We’ve told you time and again: watch your pressure gauge! Yet, it’s easy to forget to check it when one is absorbed by the scenery. Remember that the deeper you dive, the more air you consume. Don’t rely on your partner if they seem comfortable: your breathing rhythm is surely different. Regularly check your pressure, communicate it to your partner, and start your rise with at least 50 bars in your bottle.

2. A poorly adjusted ballast

Too much weight on the belt? And it’s your position in the water that suffers: legs that fall, ineffective fins, and involuntary rise. Result: you add more ballast again, thinking poorly to go down... Classic error. To progress, take a buoyancy control course like the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy: you will learn to better position yourself, save air and dive more serenely.

3. Losing one’s orientation

Bewitched by the reef, you move away without realizing it. Always keep an eye on your buddy, stay 2 or 3 meters away from him and report any prolonged break. Underwater, we don’t scream... then we stay attentive.

4. Coming up too fast

During the ascent, remember to empty the air from your vest by holding the inflator upwards. Do it regularly: when lifting, the air expands. Breathe calmly, control your fins (no upward propulsion), and respect the safety level.

5. Poor hydration

Compressed air is very dry, and combined with the sun and heat, it promotes dehydration – a risk factor for decompression sickness. Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol before diving, and take a bottle on board.

6. Dive beyond his level

Your certification allows you to dive, yes. But not just anywhere, nor in any conditions. If a dive exceeds your skills, refuse and train yourself more before attempting the adventure. Caution is the best ally of pleasure.

7. An unprepared mask

Forget to treat one’s mask? Result: fogging, and a ruined experience. Clean the inside of a new mask with toothpaste. Before each dive, use a little (dry) saliva and rinse with clear water. Do not dip your mask in the common bucket after putting saliva in it!

8. Ignore the briefing

The diving plan is not a simple ritual: it is a safety base. Listen carefully to the briefing, ask questions, and follow the instructions.

9. Exceed the diving time

Stay within the limits of non-decompression, monitor your dive computer, and respect the times. Going beyond exposes you to unexpected stops... and a possible air shortage.

10. Letting oneself be distracted

When you start, everything is new: breathing, buoyancy, binomial, depth... So stay focused. Leave the camera on the ground for the first dives: the images will probably be missed, and you might lose your group or mismanage your flotation. Rather enjoy your dives with your eyes! The equipment: a key point to start diving well

Now let’s equip ourselves! The equipment: a key point to start well in diving

After listing the frequent errors of divers, it is time to look at the essential equipment to start scuba diving in good conditions. Because yes, to have fun safely, you need to equip yourself correctly from the start!

Where to start? The regulator, of course!

The central element of your equipment is the regulator. Without it, it’s impossible to breathe underwater. Its role? It "relaxes" the air contained in your high-pressure bottle to make it breathable at ambient pressure. A real technical feat!

A regulator is composed of two stages:

The 1st stage attaches to the bottle and greatly reduces air pressure.
The 2nd floor, which you have in your mouth, adapts this pressure to each breath.

When choosing, here are some important criteria to consider:

Respiratory comfort: a good regulator must offer smooth and effortless breathing. Compensated regulators are generally more efficient at this level, especially in depth.

Lightness: a light 2nd stage limits fatigue in the jaw.

Ease of purging: the purge control must be accessible and responsive, especially in emergency situations.

Important: a regulator must be reviewed every year or every 100 dives, according to the recommendation of the manufacturer or your maintenance center. It’s a question of security! Diveavenue offers a regulator inspection and maintenance service, contact us to find out more

Which brand to choose? Is there a better brand than the others?

There is not a perfect brand, but several brands recognized for their reliability and the quality of their equipment. Among the market leaders, we find:

Brands that also offer excellent regulators, often at a good quality/price ratio.

It is therefore on those that we will focus, the regulators with a good value for money ratio, because to start there’s no point in rushing onto equipment too expensive to enlighten you in your choice we will list a top 3:

Choosing your stabilizing vest: your best ally under water

When we start diving, we often think about the mask, the fins, the wetsuit... But there is an element that we sometimes forget, even though it plays an essential role: the stabilizing vest, or 'stab' for the intimate ones.

Imagine: you are underwater, you want to stay perfectly still to observe a turtle, or on the contrary quietly rise to the surface... It’s your stab that allows you. It brings you comfort, stability, and can even save a life in case of an issue.

What is the concrete purpose of a stab?

Manage your buoyancy easily: a little more air, you go up; a little less, you go down.

To rest on the surface without struggling to keep your head above water.
To carry the bottle on your back without feeling like carrying a radiator.
And above all: to plunge with peace of mind, with equipment that really supports you.

We can of course start by renting, but very quickly, we feel the urge to have our own stab, the one that suits us well, in which we feel comfortable... a bit like a good pair of sneakers that we don’t want to leave anymore.

There are 3 large families of stab

1) The wraparound vest

The air is spread a bit everywhere. It’s reassuring, very stable, ideal for those who want comfort above all.

2) The back vest (or 'tek')

The air is concentrated in the back. Result: no sensation of compression on the torso, more freedom of movement. On the other hand, it requires a little time to adapt. Rather recommended for those who already have some dives behind them.

3) The adjustable vest (or 'classic')

It is often the favorite of beginners. Thanks to its adjustable straps, it adapts to all morphos. No annoying air pockets, good support, and a real feeling of comfort.

How to choose one’s stab wisely? Our tips for divers

Lightness: if you travel or often wear your gear, it matters.
Comfort & morphology: try it, move with it, breathe in it.
Diving frequency: no need for a "technical expedition" model if you dive 5 times a year.
Budget & options: pockets, attachments for accessories, easy access purges... everything can make the difference according to your diving style.

And don’t forget: each brand sizes differently. A stab M at Beuchat will not be the same as an M at Aqualung or Scubapro. To try it is to adopt it!

Our favorites to start well

We have prepared for you a small selection of reliable, comfortable stabs, designed for the first bubbles as well as for more regular dives.

Choose your fins and mask well: the little equipment that makes all the difference

They are called "small equipment"... but make no mistake: without them, your dives would be neither comfortable nor really possible!

The mask allows you to see clearly under water, and the fins give you the power to move effortlessly. In short, two essentials to choose carefully.

How to choose your diving fins well?

Fins are much more than an accessory: they allow you to move efficiently underwater without excessive effort. Without them, diving would become a much more physical sport! The choice of fins depends on several criteria, starting with power, flexibility and the support system.

The power of a fin is related to the shape and rigidity of its wing, that is to say the flat part that propels in the water. The longer and more rigid this wing, the more thrust the fin generates. On the other hand, it will require more technique and muscle strength. For beginners, it is preferable to opt for a short and flexible wing, which will offer a more fluid and comfortable landing.

Another essential element: the type of fins. The fitted fins, narrower, are worn directly on the foot (sometimes with a small neoprene liner for thermal comfort). They are often lighter, more economical and ideal for warm waters. On the other hand, the adjustable fins have straps at the back of the heel, which allows you to slip diving booties into them. Wider and more robust, they are perfect for temperate or cold waters, and provide more protection when moving ashore.

Our selection of diving fins:

1: Shoe Palm 1Dive Beuchat
2: Fins Beuchat X Voyager shoe

Our advice to start well?

Choose flexible, lightweight fins that are easy to put on and adjust. Some snorkeling models can very well do the job for the first immersions. And like for a pair of shoes: you have to try to be sure. Every foot is different, and an improperly fitted fin can quickly become uncomfortable.

Choose your diving mask well: your window on the underwater world

Impossible to explore the seabed without a good mask. It is not only about seeing well: a quality mask ensures good sealing, avoids unpleasant water ingress and limits fogging. It must be perfectly adapted to your face.

To choose it well, the first thing to look at is the skirt – this silicone part that conforms to the contours of the face. It must be flexible, comfortable and wide enough to adapt to your body shape without being too tight. The field of vision is also important: a mask with good peripheral visibility will allow you to better enjoy your dive.

Comfort simply checks: place the mask on your face without the strap and inhale slightly through the nose. If it holds on by itself, that’s a good sign! Don’t forget that the mask is a very personal piece of equipment. What suits a friend will not necessarily be comfortable for you.

To enlighten you in your choices, we have made a selection of items to properly equip yourself with masks and fins

Choose your diving suit well: wet, semi-waterproof or waterproof?

When we talk about diving equipment, the wetsuit is much more than just a simple garment: it protects you from the cold, extends your comfort under water and directly influences the duration and pleasure of your dives, an inherent temperature can quickly ruin your first dives.

There are three main types of wetsuits: wet suit, semi-waterproof and waterproof. Each has its own particularities, and the right choice depends on the temperature of the water... but also on your own sensitivity to cold.

But then, which thickness to choose?

Waters at 25°C and above: a 3 mm shorty or integral suit will be more than enough.
Waters between 20°C and 25°C: a 5 mm one-piece suit is ideal. For increased comfort, you can add a jacket or a neoprene mouse.
Waters between 15°C and 20°C: here, one enters a zone of freshness where a combination of 7 mm is recommended. In addition, an undersuit, a balaclava or a combination (7 mm on the chest and 5 mm on the arms/legs) can offer you more warmth without sacrificing your freedom of movement.

The wet wetsuit: the essential for temperate and warm waters

It is the most common model. Its principle is simple: a thin layer of water between your skin and the neoprene is quickly warmed by your body, creating an insulating effect. But for this to work, the suit must be well adjusted: too large, it will let in too much cold water and lose thermal efficiency.

The semi-waterproof suit: a good compromise

Less known to the general public, the semi-waterproof suit takes up the principle of wet suits, while improving insulation thanks to sleeves at the wrists and ankles, and a watertight back closure. This strongly limits water inflows, which significantly increases thermal comfort.

It is particularly suitable for waters between 10°C and 18°C. No special training is necessary to use it, but the rear closure often requires the help of a pair to put it on. If you are sensitive to cold, adding a mouse underneath will be a real plus.

The waterproof suit: for cold, even very cold waters

It is aptly named: no water enters inside. This type of suit is used as soon as the temperature drops below 15°C, or even below 10°C for the most seasoned. Unlike the others, it is the air trapped in the suit (and the thermal sub-suit you wear) that acts as an insulator.

For this, there are different types of technical underwear to wear under your dry suit: Climatec, Sharkskin, Arctic 100 or other thermoregulating materials. A dry suit requires a little learning (especially to manage the buoyancy related to the air contained inside), but it allows diving in winter or in cold waters without sacrificing comfort.

Some tips for choosing the right combination

Every diver is unique, and our tolerance for the cold can vary greatly from one person to another. That’s why it is essential to choose a wetsuit adapted not only to the temperature of the water, but also to your own sensitivity to cold.

For your first dives, especially in the pool, a shorty will be more than enough. It offers good freedom of movement while ensuring minimal protection against the cold.

Also pay attention to the choice of size: a poorly adjusted suit will lose thermal efficiency. Too big, it will let in too much water; too small, it may compress and hinder your movements. To avoid any error, we invite you to consult our size guides available for each brand.

Finally, do not neglect the accessories! A large part of body heat escapes through the extremities. Hood, gloves and neoprene shoes effectively complement your wetsuit and improve your comfort, especially during longer dives or in colder waters.

Diveavenue stays by your side to equip you throughout the year. Don’t wait any longer: find your happiness on our website!