Required Equipment

• Wetsuit – Depending on the time of year, and personal preference, either a 3mm or a 5mm wetsuit.  Personally, I also like a  hooded vest. Try it on before you buy, because the sizes are sometimes crazy??
• Fins and Booties – Long blade Freediving fins are not suitable.  Open heel fins work best. I do not wear booties, I wear mid height Marine Assault boots, either Altama or Woobies and XL size fins. They are made for. salt water.
• Mask – A good mask that fits you, is essential.    
• Gloves – Neoprene gloves work, but they are less functional and practical than something like “gardening gloves”, or Dyneema ”Cut Resistant” Gloves. Simple hand protection is what you need, and if you already have gloves, they will most likely work. 
• Cylinders – IMHO, back mounted double steel cylinders with a manifold are the best primary cylinder setup for Open Circuit deco diving. Side mounts, or Twin K Valves will also work. All cylinders are to be labeled according to TDI Standards, which means Nitrox cylinders need to be labeled for Nitrox. Twin  Faber LP85’s seem to work for the majority of divers, and they can be rented for this course here in Florida.  
• Regulators   
  • You will need a Primary and a Primary Backup regulator on your Bottom Gas supply. The major brands all make quality regs for deeper diving. 
  • You need a single SPG (or Air Integrated Transponder) connected to the first stage regulator, for each gas supply. It is not necessary to have two SPG’s on your Bottom Gas with a manifold, but you can have two SPG’s if you want?
  • You will need a “Necklace” or some other way to hold your backup second stage regulator in place around your neck. I prefer using simple 1/8″ bungee and not the rubbery, store bought ones where the regulator keeps falling out. A bungee necklace just works better, and I can make you one if you want?    
• Backplate – You need a backplate with straps or harness. Backplates come in Stainless Steel and Aluminum. Stainless is heavier, and to reduce weight, some have cutouts. In general, Drysuit divers want heavier plates, and Wetsuit divers want lighter plates. Brand is not so important. Personally, I like Straps over Harness, for a variety of reasons. I can help you rig your straps. Don’t cut them to fit, until we meet.
• Wing – You need a BCD suitable for the Open Water environment in your particular setup. A typical Wing will have 45# to 65# of lift, and IMHO 45# is ideal for most divers. I like the  Dive Rite Rec Wing  in 45# either single or with dual bladders. For deeper dives, divers really need an alternate ascent plan, in the event of a Wing Failure. Your best options are dual bladder, Drysuit, or dedicated SMB/Lift Bag, in that order.    
• Dive Computer – For this class, a  Shearwater Dive Computer  is what you either want, or will want. In class, we will download your dives from the Shearwater, and dissect them. This makes the Shearwater a valuable learning tool for you, and it will make a definite difference in the way you dive. If you do not have a Shearwater, you can rent one.   
• Lights – One Primary is fine.
• SMB  – You will need a good SMB, and you will use it. Bring what you have for an SMB, but no Safety Sausage. We will be hanging on our SMB’s for Deco. Personally, I love the Carter 25# Spearfishing Float with a CO2 inflator. As an instructor, I am responsible for the students, so I can operate the Spearfishing Float and hand off to a student very quickly, in a couple of seconds.
• Spool or Reel – This is to use with your SMB, 100’ minimum line. Bring everything you already own, or get a cheap aluminum spool off of Amazon. You will know more of what you want, after a couple of dives.   
• Cutting Device – Bring a knife, not “like a knife”. Make it sharp.   
• Slate and Pencil – We want to make notes on our dive plan, or take notes about what happens on a dive. 
• Jon Line – I will supply you with a Jon Line, you supply the Bolt Snap. Feel free to bring your own Jon Line, if you like.   
• Bolt Snap Clip – Bring two spare “Double Enders”, “Double Dogs”, Bolt Snaps, or whatever you call them. I used to say, bring one, but you really need two.   
• Weight – In theory, you will not need any weight if you are diving wet. If that is untrue, we will deal with it. If you are diving dry, bring a belt or harness, and we have weight.   

You are free to bring anything else you would like, other than cameras, as they are distracting.   If you have any equipment questions, which you will, please feel free to ask.