North Down BSAC

Diver Equipment

Possible suppliers:

Also try ebay, www.ebay.co.uk , and try ebay shops like “bigorangewatersports” or “activeaqua”

Pool Training

Mask 

£10 - £40 Available widely, or as above for combined deal with snorkel.

Start with a cheap basic one like “Bodyglove” or “Cressi Ondina”, or consider wide / deep vision masks or ones fitted with purge valve for easy clearing <£50. Best to try on for fit before buying if you are not average size or face shape.

Snorkel    

£10 -£20 As above. Look for purge valve at bottom and/or dry top system.  Try “Cressi Gamma” or “Seac Sub Duplex”.

Fins              

£30 - £60. Be careful, most widely available ones are for swimming / snorkelling. These do NOT fit drysuit or wetsuit boots. Get fins with straps to fit over boots.  Try basic ones like “Mares Avanti” or “Cressi Rondine”. Used ones rare but fine. The split type fins like “Oceanic Vortex” are dearer but less effort to use.

Weightbelt

£5-£40. You can start with just a webbing strap for about £5-10.  Padded pocket type more comfortable for larger people.  Weight harnesses are better for heavier weights or bigger waists £20-40.  Some BCDs have integral weight pouches which are ok for moderate weights.

Weights     

£5 per kilo or more for soft pouch type.  Very dependent on body size / shape.  Typical 4–8Kg for pool work, 12-18Kg for drysuit.

BCD               

Buoyancy Control Device (or Stab Jacket). Used £30-100, new £100-300.  Used ones fine, get the right size and allow for drysuit. Rental £10 weekend.

Regulators             

Regulator set with Octopus and console (gauges). Used £30-150, new £200+.  Used ones fine, must have separate Octopus (i.e. 2 second stage mouthpieces).  A good set will last for many years. Rental £10 weekend.

Cylinder  

The standard is 12 litre 232 bar, although a 10 litre is

lighter and may suit small people / females. For longer

term deeper diving consider a 15 litre or twinset.

Used £60–100 new £130-200. Used ones fine but they

have to be regularly tested so one out of test is worth

much less. You can rent these longer term if

necessary. 2 needed for the open water training

weekend. Rental £10 each per weekend.

Drysuit    

2 types, neoprene (warmer) and membrane (more flexible). You also need an undersuit, thicker with membrane. Tracksuits / thermals will do to start. Used £50-150, new £300+. Used ones fine but hard to get a good fit. Rental £30 weekend.

Training Schedule

Check out the Training schedule page for you training dates and times