GEAR

GUIDE
FOR
PROS

A starting point for career

divers.

From fins to masks and everything in between.

GEAR GUIDE
FOR
PROS
What it's all about...

Thanks for taking the time to have a look through my recommendations. I hope
you'll find it useful!

I think it is important to tell you first off that I am not sponsored by any equipment
brands. These are all my honest professional recommendations based on my
years in the industry.

This guide is specifically targeted towards professional divers working in warm

water environments. What this means is the pieces I recommend have a strong
focus on features that will make your life easier when looking after other divers,
and are durable enough to last.

Feel free to let me know if I’ve missed your favourite item, and be sure to send me
any questions about the thousands of pieces of gear not covered here that you
come across.
3 BOOTS & FINS
5 WETSUITS

6 BUOYANCY CONTROL DEVICES

9 REGULATORS

11 MASKS & SNORKELS

13 COMPUTERS

15 EXTRAS

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 BOOTS & FINS
We'll start from the bottom with some basic fin
categorization. Full-foot vs. open-heel. I'm team open-
heel for a few reasons. One, I find they produce a
better fit and are more comfortable. The combination
of a boot + a fin, fits your foot better than a foot
pocket alone typically can. Secondly, I find an open-
heel fin will usually have better longevity than a full-
foot fin, as straps are an easy replace, while the
inevitable tears in rubber foot pockets cannot be fixed FULL FOOT
OPEN HEEL
easily. Finally it is convenient in many entry scenarios
to have boots to handle the terrain.

Selecting boots, just like normal

Lycra socks Poseidon One Shoe shoes, comes down to comfort.
Thickness and high vs. low cut is
simple preference. Remember to
always try boots on with your
fins to see how they fit the
pocket. Having owned boots
from most major brands, I have
Aqua Lung Superlow Half Boot 3mm found Aqua Lung’s products
outlive their competitors' by
years. Note the rubberized sections around the toe and top of foot. When finning these are your
pressure points within the fin, not the sole of your foot. Not only will this increase your comfort
and prevent blisters, this is where I have inevitably ended up with holes in my boots from wear
and tear from other brands that lack this feature. If you do prefer a high cut boot, check out the
Poseidon One Shoe. Coming in a variety of colours, if looking like you’re diving in a pair of
Chucks is your thing, they are a seriously cool piece of kit. Beyond that, these are one of the
most comfortable and adjustable boots available. With a heel zip for getting in and, the front
bungees can be adjusted and left ready for a perfect snug fit. Remember with all new pairs of
boots that just like shoes, they can take some wearing in. If blisters are becoming an issue
(especially when your feet are wet and soft), a pair of lycra dive socks are cheap and can really
save the day.

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When it comes to fins, there are two styles I recommend: tec fins and standard paddle fins.
You will notice a trend throughout this guide which is to stay away from anything that
looks over-engineered or gimmicky. For me, this means no split, force or hinge fins. While
they can produce more propulsion, the sacrifices in control or sturdiness are too much for
me to find any of them worth it. While some of these styles may be excellent for some
divers, I tend towards durability for pro recommendations.

Tec Fins Paddle Fins

All about the control. Designed for tight, Tec style fins are not ideal in all
precise manoeuvring in caves and conditions, many environments do call for
wrecks… exactly what you want as a dive more thrust. These are also the most
instructor in a crowded pool. There are common fin style, and almost always the
several good choices here so it will come style of rental fin your students will be in.
down to personal choice upon If you’re trying to develop aspects of a
considering comfort, rigidity (more rigid, student’s finning technique it can be
more control) and buoyancy (some can be helpful to have a similar fin. Dependable
very heavy and difficult to manage in choices include: the Cressi Frog Plus,
warm water configurations). Great picks Mares Avanti Quattro+ & Seac Propulsion.
include the Apeks RK3/RK3 HD, Hollis F1,
OMS Slipstream, Scubapro Jet Fin &
XDeep EX1.

Mares Avanti Quattro+

About as close as it comes to an industry
standard in fins. This is a dependable fin
Apeks RK3
with little in the way of weaknesses
My go-to daily fin. While there are
when it comes to performance. The only
arguments to be made as to which is the
downside to these is the bulky size and
best fin for technical diving, the RK3 is
the heel bungee. While certainly
perfect for teaching. Much less negatively
comfortable, at some point they are going
buoyant than the other options
to snap. Buy an extra set of bungees
mentioned, they are great for daily use
when you get these fins. It’s not a bad
without having much effect on your trim.
idea when buying any fins and keeping
Apeks also offers smaller sizes than most
them in your “save-the-dive” kit anyway!
other brands.

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WETSUITS
When it comes to exposure protection I find that 3 pieces will keep me comfortable through all
diving in water above 26˚ (that number could be a bit higher or lower depending on how
naturally insulated you are). I recommend a long 3mm wetsuit, a vest or insulated top, and a
selection of rashguards/leggings. From wearing all three together to just the rashie, you’ll be
good-to-go year round in most warm water locations. Remember, even the toughest instructors
are freezing after a long pool session on a cloudy day.

3mm Wetsuit
There is really no point in me recommending any brands here. The best advice is to get to dive
shops, and try on as many as possible to find what best fits your body shape. If you are
struggling, there are tons of custom-built wetsuit options available. Having said that, here are
some features to look for and reminders when shopping:.

1. It will stretch a bit. Both when wet and over time. If you're deciding between sizes, go
smaller so long as it isn't uncomfortable.

2. Be aware of where your BCD will be making contact with the wetsuit, and if there is any
reinforcement there. This is particularly important to note if you are looking at a wetsuit
from a surf brand, rather than a dive brand. Surf wetsuits may also have a lower cut in the
neck and therefore not protect you from chafe from your BCD.

3. Stitched cuffs. When wetsuits start to fall apart

it is invariably around the neck or cuffs. Avoid
cuffs that look as though they are a clean cut
through the neoprene. Look for reinforcement
all the way around as this is where stretching
and disintegration is bound to occur.

4. Zips. Your best friend when it comes to getting in and out of your wetsuit. Both on the arms
and legs. This will avoid stretching and forcing your way in and out of a suit, saving you time
and help your suit last much longer.

Vests, Tops & Rashguards

A great option when you want a bit of warmth to pair with shorts or leggings. There are tons of
options of quality vests and long sleeves both with and without hoods. I love a ScubaPro Everflex
vest/hood combo paired with a rashie for most of my diving. If you feel like treating yourself to a
top end piece, check out the Fourth Element Thermocline range or the Sharskin Chillproof
collection. For rashguards, grab a few as they are so versatile. There isn’t a huge range of
features to look for but I do prefer a turtle neck to a crew neck for comfort when wearing it
underneath a wetsuit

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BUOYANCY
CONTROL DEVICES
What to look for
BCDs come in all shapes and sizes with tons of different features. Here are the basics of what I
look for in a good BCD:

1. Integrated weight system. The first upgrade you will find from a “rental BCD” to a more
advanced piece of kit are these. This adds comfort and convenience for one, and I find it
helps me with teaching in various ways as well. If I do opt to throw on a weight belt for
demonstrating a skill, I don’t need to worry about having too much weight on there.
I can also carry spare weights for my students on the belt if I need to add any
during a dive. For safety reasons, I also want my students to be familiar with an integrated
system as when they do start fun diving it is more than likely they will have buddies diving
with this system.

2. Trim pockets. Typically sat high up the back of the BCD on either side of the tank, they allow
for small adjustments to help tip you further forward improving your trim if you suffer from
lead feet. Remember as these are not quick release, they should not be treated as primary
weight carrying pockets. If your BCD does not come with this feature it is fairly inexpensive
to buy supplementary trim pockets that attach to your cylinder band.

3. More metal, less plastic. There is an understandable trend in BCD design of making
increasingly smaller and lighter units. I would steer clear of any BCD that bills itself as a
“travel BCD.” Many of them are excellent pieces of equipment and incredibly comfortable—
but they just aren’t designed for the rigorous use of a full time dive professional. First thing I
look at on a BCD is whether the D-rings are metal or plastic.

4. The inflator system. There are certainly levels of quality in the design here among major
brands. The Aqua Lung powerline system is by and far the superior product here. While
some
inflators are so sensitive to salt and sand they require almost daily dismantling and cleaning,
Aqua Lung’s system is sealed and you can dive confidently without worry of a self-inflating
BCD.

5. Pockets. No one wants to be a Christmas tree with a million things hanging off them, but as
a dive professional you do need to bring a fair bit with you. Look for good pockets on your
BCD or invest in a pair of Tec shorts.

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Styles & Recommendations
There are three main styles of BCD: Jacket, Back-Inflate, & Backplate/Wing (BPW). Each have
their own pros and cons to consider as an instructor.

Jackets
The most common design. These styles inflate through the back and around your sides. Your
students will almost certainly be in one of these styles. Jacket’s are the most common style for
a reason though they can at times feel a bit bulky. Your highest performance BCDs for pure
diving (not teaching) typically aren’t this style. The Aqua Lung Pro HD is my most commonly
recommended BCD to new instructors. It is fantastic value and with a similar design and
placement of features to most rental kit, they are the easiest units to teach in. They come with
an assortment of quality upgrades to make you more comfortable when teaching including
integrated weight and trim pockets, tons of D-rings and great pockets that open from both
sides. Sturdy and reliable, for day-in-day-out teaching it is hard to find a better BCD. The 2022
upgrade also features a women's fit edition. If this is your preferred style of BCD and you are
looking for a higher end model the Oceanic Atmos and Scubapro Glide are great options

Scubapro Glide
Aqua Lung Pro HD Oceanic Atmos

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 Back Inflate
By keeping the air in the back of your BCD you get less side-to-side roll underwater and helps
keep you in prime trim position while underwater. Not having air inflating the sides of your
BCD also makes it easier to access items in your zip pockets. I love this style of BCD though
some do complain it is more difficult to remain vertical for extended periods of time at the
surface when discussing with students or evaluating surface skills. The Exotec is my daily use
BCD and is in my opinion the sturdiest BCD currently availalble. It also has a huge amount of
lift that has come in handy more than once at the surface with students. The Scubapro Hydros
is famously comfortable and while the base model is lacking in storage, its modular design
allows for quality upgrades in that department. Finally the Aqua Lung Lotus is a neat BCD as it
is specifically designed for the female body and is packed with great features.

Scubapro Seahawk 2 Aqua Lung Lotus

Apeks Exotec

Backplate/Wing
For many people it is the only way to dive. Unfortunately it is
the farthest from typical student equipment and with the
crotch strap and lack of release buckles it can be a pain when
teaching certain skills and courses. I would have steered
instructors away from this category entirely if it weren’t for the
XDeep Ghost Deluxe. Featuring padded webbing, a modular
system allowing for the addition of quick release weight
pockets, and release clips at the shoulders, the Ghost can
pretty much do it all. Storage is limited but it is a Tec BCD.
Throw on some Tec shorts and you’re sorted. This system will XDeep Ghost Deluxe
let you dive to your full potential while eliminating a lot of the
hassle typically found when trying to teach in a system like
this.

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REGULATORS
What to look for
1. Balanced vs. Unbalanced. Balanced regulators will breathe the same regardless of depth,
tank pressure, or demand (eg. someone using your alternate). This is obviously a great feature
to have and these days it is only the most basic entry-level regs that are still unbalanced. They
are however the workhorses of the industry with the Aqua Lung Calypso and Scubapro Mk2
found worldwide as rental regs. While you don't absolutely require a balanced regulator, you
won't regret the upgrade.

2. DIN vs. Yoke. How your regs attach to your cylinder. I strongly push for DIN regulators for
their versatility. You can make a DIN a yoke with an inexpensive adapter, going the other way
isn't possible. You may also thank yourself in the long run as DIN attachments allow for the
usage of higher pressure cylinders, and are a safer option in overhead environments.

3. Environmental seal. Most mid-to-high end regulator first stages are environmentally sealed.
You will need this feature if you do end up doing any cold water diving, as it prevents your first
stage from freezing. It is also a good feature for the health of your regulator as it stops sand, salt
and other pollutants from building up in your first stage.

4. No mixing. Your first and second stages need to be the same brand. Even within a single
brand, check with a sales rep that the second stages you are looking at are compatible with your
first stage of choice. As brands run on different first stage intermediate pressures, mixing
different brands can cause either very difficult breathing, or freeflowing regulators.

5. Can you get it serviced? Service of regulators is specialized and there aren't standardized
repair kits or parts between brands (just look at a Bism Bean or a Poseidon Cyklon and you'll see
why). For this reason I stick to Scubapro & Aqua Lung (along with it's subsidiary Apeks). They are
the only two brands I have real confidence I will be able to get serviced globally easily and
quickly when I need it. Luckily they also make top-quality equipment.

DIN Valve Yoke Valve DIN Adapter

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Aqua Lung Core Supreme Apeks XL4 Scubapro Mk25 Evo

Value
Choosing a quality regulator on a budget can be difficult. Fortunately, Aqua Lung
produce a range of affordable regulators with quality features. These include the Titan,
Mikron, & Core/Core Supreme regulators. They are all balanced regulators, the Core
Supreme is my top recommendation as it is environmentally sealed and features a
balanced second stage. A neat feature unique to Aqua Lung is their ACD (Auto-Closure
Device) system which automatically seals off the internals of your first stage as soon as it
is removed from the cylinder, even before the dust cap is on.

Versatile
It is difficult to go wrong with any Apeks regulator. The brand of choice for tec, rescue
and military operators worldwide you can be assured of quality here. With the XL4,
Apeks have managed to distill their expected high-performance into a compact design
for the first time, creating a reg ideal for daily-use. For a long lasting reg, suitable for all
environments look no further. Not only are the first and second stages balanced, the first
stage is actually over-balanced allowing for easier breathing at greater depths. Apeks
also produces an XL4+ version featuring an extra HP port, for further versatility.

Luxury
The top of the line regs start to get into a high level of customization with flow-rate and
are all about "ease of breathing," and believe me it is great. You really can get just about
close to feeling like you're not breathing from a regulator. The Apeks XTX200, Aqua Lung
LEG3ND series & the Scubapro Mk25 Evo will all give you a fantastic experience. My pick
is the Mk25 mainly on preference but I do prefer the piston system to the diaphragm
system of other brands. The LP ports on a swivel is also a great feature for customization
and comfort for twinset, sidemount and single tank diving.

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MASKS &
SNORKELS
How to pick a mask
Masks can be some of the hardest items to shop for. Face shapes are so different that to get a
proper seal you will just have to trial and error. I wouldn't worry about brand or price either. Just
go for pure fit. One of my favourite masks I've owned was $20. So how do you check if a mask
fits properly? Inhale and see if it stays on your face? NO! It doesn't work. I cringe every time I see
this done, as I have yet to find a single mask that I was unable to suction to my face. Here's how
to do it properly:

1. No strap. Whilst underwater it is not the strap, but water pressure that holds the mask to
your face. The strap may pull the mask unnaturally in the shop and end up with it sitting on
your face differently than it will underwater. Leave it off.

2 Tip your head back so you are staring up at the ceiling and rest the mask on your
face. Feel around the edges for gaps. Small 1-2mm gaps are fine but the closer to flush
without flaring up all the way around the better.

3. Found a good fit? Now you can inhale gently(!) while looking straight ahead. Make sure no
part of the lens or frame is now pushing into your face. If the mask does not stick to your
face at this point it could mean it is a defective item with a hole somewhere.

1cm

4. Look in the mirror. Check the gap between the edge of your eye and the inner skirt of the
mask. There should be about a finger's distance between the two.

5. Features. Many masks now come with interchangeable lenses to match your prescription, if
this is a feature you need narrow your search with this to begin. When it comes to single vs.
double lens it is typically a question of comfort due to the shape of your nose and brow. I
also prefer an opaque frame to clear in my mask as there is so much light in tropical
destinations that I do like to be able to shade my eyes a bit, looking like Batman is just a
bonus.

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Snorkels. Yes, you need one.
Snorkels get a lot of hate, and to be honest I don't think it is very fair. Beyond that as a diving
professional, you must have a snorkel with you. Them's the rules. So get used to it. The snorkel
is one of the items that I really struggle with how over-engineered a lot of them see to be. I think
one of the main causes of this, is the fact that they are designed... for snorkelers, rather than
with the intent that they stay on someone's mask throughout a dive. In my experience, the best
snorkel is a simple light-weight tube. Adding multiple purge systems and bulky wave-caps can
make snorkels a real pain to have attached to your face throughout a dive, as they can end up
hitting you in the face, pulling at your mask strap making it leak, or falling off entirely. My go-to
snorkels these days tend to be ones designed for either spearfishing or free diving as they are
designed with the intention of being used just for intervals at the surface, and not getting in your
way underwater. Great examples include the Scubapro Apnea snorkel or the Beuchat Spy. If you
want to individualize your kit, snorkel and mask combos are a great place to add unique colours.
Beuchat in particular has a huge range of colours in their Maxlux S line of masks that match the
Spy snorkels.. Don't be afraid to get a collapsable snorkel either. There is absolutely nothing
wrong with keeping your snorkel in a pocket throughout the dive so long as it is accessible at the
surface.

Scubapro Apnea Beuchat Maxlux S & Spy Snorkel

Beuchat Spy

Beuchat Maxlux S

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 DIVE COMPUTERS

Value
One of the most recognizable computers
around. The Suunto Zoop Novo is a
fantastic piece of equipment that is
practically indestructible. What it saves in
design, it makes up for in performance and
features. The Zoop is easy to read and has
some of the most intuitive menus of any
dive computer. Suunto's forward planning
function is available even in this base
model, and is one of my favourite and
most used tools when teaching. For pure
value, the Zoop is number one.

Watch
Working everyday, it is nice to have a more
wearable computer. The Aqua Lung i200c,
is an affordable option with all the
standard features you can expect from a
dive computer (planning, logging, EANx
compatible). Coming in seven colours it is
matchable to just about any dive kit. One
of the most convenient features of this
computer, is the user-changeable battery.
Many other brands do not allow this under
their warranty, and you likely wouldn't be
able to any way without specialized tools.

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 High-End
If you want a wearable watch, with all the
features, the Garmin G1 Descent, has it all.
Sleek and comfortable with full sport watch
capabilities you may never want to take it
off. The G1 features multi gasses and CCR
compatibility for tec diving, a built in digital
compass, and an updated free diving
mode. It also comes in a solar edition with
extended battery life up to 30 days. My go
to daily watch.

Does Everything
If you want to teach Open Water, and dive
wrecks at 50m+. Then the Shearwater
Teric is the computer for you. The LED
screen remains crystal clear even on the
darkest days, and features a level of
customization not seen in any other
computers. The Teric features vibrating
alarms, which can be incredibly handy if
you have your hands full with students.
When it comes to a daily wearable, fully
tec capable computer, there really isn't
another option currently available.

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EXTRAS

Extra Storage
Keeping all of your equipment streamlined
is obviously important when diving. A pair
of tec shorts is a great way to easily access
all your extras you need when teaching.
There is a lot of variance in quality
available, the Apeks Tech Short, has the
quality to last several years. They fit great
over shorts or a wetsuit and I love to keep
a spare mask in one of the pockets.

Carry It All
A drybag is standard equipment for
professional divers. While a standard roll-
up tube works just fine, the Feelfree Track
25L is a great bag that can get you
through the whole day, With internal
compartments including a laptop sleeve
and detachable wallet, a reinforced
bottom and padded straps, this bag is so
convenient for keeping all your stuff dry
and safe.

15
 Be Heard
It is important to always be able to get your
student's attention quickly. Tapping on
your tank can be affective but can often be
ignored when everyone is making the
same noise. The ReefNet H2YO
Noisemaker is a perfect solution as they
produce a unique sound while being small
and easily stored on your BCD. Available in
a Clank and Rattle edition you can be sure
to always get your students' attention with
this noisemaker.

All Around Useful

A quality finger spool will make your life
easier in a variety of ways. While many
DSMBs come with creative deployment
systems, a finger spool is almost always a
better option. I would suggest getting at
least a 30m spool. This will come in handy
when teaching the Navigation dive from
AOW. It can also be great for laying a line
or keeping group control in poor visiblity.
While more expensive a flat line rather
than a standard string is a great feature
for reducing volume.

16
 A Decent Cutting Tool
While it can be tempting to strap a sword
to your leg, and look like you're ready to
join the SEALs, it just isn't very practical. A
simple line cutter is a much more effective
tool as the majority of your cutting will be
dealing with fishing lines or nets. The
Mares XR Line Cutter is a great option as it
features ceramic blades that won't rust the
way many others will. It's small size makes
it easy to store on the webbing of a BCD
out of the way but still accessible.

A Good Guide
Fish books are great and there are
increasingly comprehensive apps
available for fish ID. A good set of fish
slates however, are waterproof and great
for use on the boat or shore. On some
Advanced Open Water dives they can also
be a great tool to bring along with you
underwater! Regional editions exist so
make sure you have your local fauna to
share with your guests and students!

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GO DIVE!
Thank you so much for taking the time to have a read
through this guide. I hope it will help you in selecting
equipment that you will love working in, and that will
last. If you have any questions about specific pieces of
equipment you come across, or diving in general please
do not hesitate to reach out!

The purpose of this guide isn't to be a sales pitch... but

I'll sneak one in anyway. If you are interested in
becoming a PADI professional diver, whether that be a
Divemaster, Instructor, or beyond please get in touch. I
am proud to lead an incredible professional
development program at Simple Life Divers in Thailand
as part of the Dive Careers global network.

Once again thanks for reading and please... enjoy your diving, advocate for the health of our
oceans, and always do a buddy check.

All the best,

Julian Pirie

[email protected]
+66 659211299
@JPCourseDirector
Simplelifedivers.com

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