Mask – As the human eye was only

designed to work properly in air not water, your mask is your

essential window on the underwater world.

Regulator – A demand valve supplies air whenever

you want to take a breath via the mouthpiece. You will also have a

second demand valve – known as an octopus – which you or your buddy can

use as an alternative air source.

Wetsuit or drysuit – Depending on where you dive – in warm or cold water – you will need a protective layer of clothing. In warmer waters, a wetsuit is used, which is made of a layer of neoprene rubber. In the UK, divers mostly use drysuits with seals at the neck and wrists to keep water out. Worn with insulating undersuits, drysuits are designed to keep divers comfortable in colder waters.

Buoyancy Compensation Device (BCD) This is a streamlined jacket

connected via an inflator hose to your air cylinder. At the surface,

enough air can be injected into the jacket to keep you afloat while, underwater,

small amounts of air can be added and adjusted to achieve neutral buoyancy.

Weight belt/integrated weights – A weight belt worn around the waist is used to help a diver descend and stop them rising

to the surface involuntarily.

Fins –

Fins enable divers to swim underwater and allow a level of

control and freedom of movement that would otherwise be impossible.

Gauges – Attached by a hose to your cylinder,

your gauge tells you how much air you have. Gauges also tell you how deep

you are and can include a compass and temperature reading.

Dive computer – Your dive computer displays essential information about

how deep you are, how long you have been underwater

and how long you can safely stay at the depth you are at.

Torch – The deeper you go, the more

light is filtered out by the water. Torches restore the natural

colour to coral and marine life and are good for general

looking around.

Go to this blog for more details.