One of the appeals of most Open Water courses is that you get an all-inclusive fee. As you continue down the diving education route, course fees can become more opaque; are materials included, or aren’t they? How many dives does it cover? Is gear included? The beauty of the Open Water course is that, in the vast majority of cases, there are no questions; everything you need to successfully pass the course is included, including your gear. So, if this is the case, why might you buy your own? What are the advantages and disadvantages to owning your own gear? I’ll try to answer some of that below. I’m also going to put a Hong Kong diving slant on this, and suggest things that, here, might take a higher priority than elsewhere.
Snorkel & Mask – this seems a no brainer, in terms of hygiene and comfort if nothing else. A decent set can be had for around HKD 500, and should last a lifetime. I still use the original mask I purchased 15 or so years ago, so getting a good one is very worthwhile. It’s also great for holidays, meaning you are free to go snorkelling to your heart’s content.
Dive computer – contentious perhaps, but as soon as you know you’re going to be diving a few times a year, having your own dive computer is, in my view, essential. Yes, you can rent. But renting means (possibly) learning a new computer each time, and not getting the most out of it. As more people now learn without diving tables, I think having your own computer is a must. Basic computers, that most recreational divers won’t ever need more than, can be had for around HKD 1,500 (think Suunto Zoop or Cressi Leonardo). Sure, others do more, but in terms of need, these basic computers are more than adequate, and are likely to be exactly what you would be renting anyway.
Torch – Sometimes, we aren’t blessed with the best visibility here. Having a torch can be incredibly convenient and save, what could have been, unnecessary ascents, meeting up with buddies whom you have lost contact with. Torches are also great for looking into all the different nooks and crannies, where often the most interesting sea life is hanging out. Again, for around HKD 500, they can really improve your dive experience.
DSMB – Hong Kong has a lot of aquatic traffic! It also has relatively benign conditions most of the time, which can lull you into a false sense of security. For the sake of HKD 400 or so, a Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (DSMB) could easily prevent an incident. It’s really not worth not having one. Learning to deploy is simple, and if you are ever diving without a guide, it is absolutely essential. Don’t rely only on other people to look after your safety.
If money, storage space, and transportation were unlimited, I would suggest getting all of your own gear right away; BCD, regs, wetsuit, fins, the lot. The problem is, for most of us, these things aren’t unlimited, so compromises need to be made. I bought a lot of my own gear very early, and, for me, that was absolutely the right decision. I don’t regret it one bit. There are, some things to be aware of:
Care – you need to clean and dry your gear after every dive/dive day. If you don’t, your gear won’t last as long and you’ll spend a lot more on maintenance and replacement. You need a space to clean it and somewhere to dry it. Fully drying a wetsuit in Hong Kong takes at least 24 hours in Hong Kong, unless you want to set up a dehumidified room (or get lucky with a low humidity day!).
Maintenance – Regulators need to be maintained according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. This is usually every 12-24 months. You need to set aside around HKD 1,500 (depending on brand) for a service of your first stage, primary second stage, and octopus (and possibly your SPG).
Transportation and storage – you need to store your dive gear when not using it, and transport it to and from the dive boat. This might mean some public transport options become a little more stressful. Luckily, the big buses here have plenty of luggage space, but I’d definitely recommend a rolling style bag as soon as you have more than a snorkel and mask.
Let me know in the comments if you have any questions, and I’ll do my best to answer.