Required Equipment

• • Wetsuit – Depending on the time of year, and personal preference, either a 3mm or a 5mm wetsuit. I glued pockets on my suit to carry my Backup Mask. It is easy.
  • Hood – A hood protects your head inside the wreck. It will keep rust and marine life away from your scalp, and protect you from injury. Personally, I prefer a hooded vest as it keeps rust and other debris from going down my back, as well as protecting my head. 
  • Gloves – Simple hand protection is what you need and if you already have gloves, that will probably work best?  I prefer simple Gardening gloves or cut-resistant gloves, like Dyneema.  
  • 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.   
  • Backup Mask – You need a Backup Mask, and a way to carry it. I use a  Vertical Zip Sidemount Bellows Pocket  glued to my thigh on my wetsuit, but you may want to use another style pocket, or not feel comfortable gluing anything?  Some divers really like the Tech Shorts, like the Apeks Shorts? 
  • 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. You will need cylinder(s) with volume(s) appropriate for dives planned to 150’, considering your individual SAC rate. All cylinders are to be labeled according to TDI Standards, which means Nitrox cylinders need to be labeled for Nitrox. An O2 clean Deco Cylinder is required for the class, rigged to carry. Bring whatever size you want, but most students use aluminum 40’s. Typically, I will utilize an AL72 for classes. Twin Faber LP85’s, with an Aluminum deco cylinder 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. One of your second stage regulators needs to be on a “long” hose that is 6′ or more in length. If you do not already have a long hose, you can borrow one from me, for free. I prefer 6′ to anything longer. My Left Reg is my Primary, but the internet says I am wrong?
    • You will need an O2 clean deco gas regulator.  
    • You need a single SPG connected to the first stage regulator, for each gas supply. It is not necessary to have two SPG’s on your Bottom Gas, but you can if you like? I have an SPG, and an AI transponder on my Back Gas.  
    • 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. If you need one, I will make it for you.
  • 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# with single or 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. 
  • 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.  
  • Dive Computer – For this class, a  Shearwater Dive Computer is mandatory for good reason. You also will need a backup computer or depth gauge. The Teric is okay for backup, but not acceptable as a Primary as it does not give you all the dive data of the Perdix/Petrel. In class, we will download your dives on 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 after the class. If you do not have a Shearwater, you can rent one.  
  • Dive Planner – We will plan our dives together, but you  need a means to plan your dives using your dive computer, Smart Phone, laptop, or tablet. The algorithm of your planner should match the algorithm of your dive computer, and we will use  Bühlmann ZHL16-C GF.  If you want to get Multi Deco, get Multi Deco or you can try  MV Planner  for free. It is by the same Multi Deco guys, but no-frills shareware.  Try playing around with it. We will use the Multi Deco for planning, and the Shearwater for the Debriefing in class.
  • Lights – One Primary, and one Backup are required. I would suggest 1000 lumens minimum.
  • Strobe Light – A strobe is optional. I have more than a few, and I will show you how to use it. I like the  Tektite Strobe 6. It is positively buoyant, but a large Bolt Snap will keep it from floating away, and let it lie with the light up for the best visibility.
  • SMB  – You will need a good SMB for wreck diving, 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. I like the Dive Rite Slide Lock2 reel.
  • Cutting Device – Bring Two knives, not something “like a knife”. Make it sharp  There are reasons.
  • Slate  or Notebook  and Pencil – We want to make notes on our dive plan, and notes on the wreck. We will take information into the water, and out of the water. I use a simple Dive Rite Wrist Slate. 
  • Jon Line – We 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 want to 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, I will get you weight. 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.