February 21st, 2010 | 
Author: I аm going tο ѕtаrt scuba diving аѕ a leisure activity аnd аm looking tο gеt ѕοmе opinions οn whаt type οf scuba diving equipment tο bυу.
UPDATE!!! I’m looking аt thіѕ primarily аѕ a leisure activity bυt аlѕο i’m looking аt joining thе local dive team аѕ i’m іn Law Enforcement. If thаt mаkеѕ a dіffеrеnсе. Thanks
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Personally I would rent some of your equipment from a sound dive shop. They can help you pick out right sizes and suggest items for the specific types of dives you do.
Once you try some of the equipment out you’ll have a better thought of the features you want on your own equipment.
I just bought my own BC, regulator, computer, mask, fins, and wetsuit. Really I am on my 2nd BC because I found one with a feature I liked a lot better than the first I bought. Since the first one was still new, the dive shop took it back. Slick!
It pays to take your time!
If you’re going to dive “as a leisure activity” then you’re probably not going to do high-end diving (Tek, photography, cave/wreck, etc.)
That means you don’t have to spend wagon loads of money on expensive gear.
As with anything, there are ‘money off’ grades of gear and opportunities to spend too much.
Get connected with a local dive shop that has a excellent reputation among local divers. That’s how you want to handle buy and maintenance of critical life support – specifically your regulator. DO NOT EVER buy this kind of stuff from an online vendor.
Wet suits and gloves and accessories you can buy online once you know what size and what you like. I really have a wetsuit that I bought used and have gotten excellent benefit from it.
Personally, I won’t buy a mask that I can’t try on first.
Fins will last a very long time if maintained and they’re not expensive to buy at the dive shop.
Don’t get in a rush to buy gear. Try out several kinds as rented equipment first. You’ll primarily want to see what kind of instruments you like before costs the bucks on gages or a computer.
As the other answers have suggested – your local dive shop is a excellent place to start. Be very cautious about export anything online second hand. Make sure that you try equipment on. Different manufacturers have different sizes, and what might be comfortable in a ‘shorty’ point, might leave you feeling really uncomfortable in a long-sleeved/leg point – even though it’s the same size. There are dive shows / equipment shows held throughout the year. That might be a excellent place to start looking. Whichever way, choose what suits you. Don’t be fooled into thinking that a certain brand is better. There ARE some that are more dependable than others, but dive equipment needs to be what YOU are comfortable with!