The Scuba Gear Guru

If you know somebody in your life that’s interested in extreme sports, it’s very likely that they’ve tried everything from skydiving to rock climbing to spelunking. And if this adventurous soul lives anywhere near water, they’ve probably also given scuba diving a shot. It takes a certain type of person to dive down hundreds of meters underwater with only a tank of oxygen, a wet suit, and a prayer, but if you can stomach the intensity, there are some amazing payoffs.

Scuba diving offers people an unparalleled experience with the ocean and everything in it. Depending on the body of water where you’re diving, you’re likely to come up close and personal with everything from tropical fish to sharks to squid. And once is never enough, so make sure that you’re fully stocked with all the gear you need for subsequent dives. This can include specialty diving knives or dive gloves.

When you’re exploring an underwater environment that’s entirely new and potentially dangerous, it pays to have unobstructed vision. Seasoned scuba divers learn to keep an eye out for predators at all times, honing their peripheral vision to pick up on even the tiniest bit of movement. But even before they take that first dive, it’s necessary to make sure the mask is wiped clean.

While it’s not the case with every new scuba diving mask, some of them reach the store with an oily residue on the lenses. Stick with a non-abrasive, mild dishwashing detergent or a specialized mask cleaner when wiping away the debris. That way you won’t accidentally do damage to the plastic lenses. Keep your mask in a customized case when it’s not in use to avoid undue scratches.