Essential Gear for PADI Dive Training: What You Need to Know

For a PADI Open Water course, you need a mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit, BCD, regulator, dive computer, and weights. Equipment rental is included for free in all non-pro courses at TSD. Although it’s not required, most students buy the personal items (mask, snorkel, fins) and rent the rest. Below is what each piece of gear does, what to look for when buying or renting, and how Thresher Shark Divers supports students with kit during training.

What you wear

Mask, snorkel, fins. These are the only things most students buy before they arrive. Rental masks are fine, but a properly fitting mask makes a much bigger difference than divers expect. Try a few in a shop. Check the seal by inhaling without the strap on – if it stays put, it fits. Tempered glass, low volume, simple frame. That’s the whole spec.

Snorkels. You need one for surface swims and emergencies. A simple J-shape with a comfortable mouthpiece works, but a more elaborate one will massively help stop water entering on surface swims.

Fins come in two flavours: full-foot (warm water, no booties, lighter) and open-heel (booties, more power). Either is fine for Malapascua. Full-foot wins on weight, open-heel wins on versatility.

Wetsuit. Malapascua water sits at 26-29°C most of the year, dropping to 24-26°C December through February. A 2.5mm or 3mm shorty or long suit handles most months. A 5mm full suit if you run cold or you’re diving multiple times a day in the cooler months.

What you breathe through

BCD and regulator. Two of the most expensive items, and the ones we recommend you don’t buy until you know diving is going to stick. Rental gear at TSD is Apeks regulators and Aqualung BCDs, serviced regularly by our dedicated in-house service technician. Both are tier-1 brands. You’re not getting “rental quality” – you’re getting kit we’d take on our own dives.

If you do buy your own: get fitted properly. A BCD that’s a size too big or wrong cut will undermine every dive for years.

What keeps you safe

Dive computer. The single most useful piece of gear after the regulator. A computer tracks depth, time, ascent rate, and surface intervals. Rental computers are included with all training. If you’re moving past Open Water, this is the first piece I’d buy of your own.

Weights and weight belt. Provided as part of every dive. The right amount of weight is something you and your instructor figure out in confined water.

How TSD supports students with kit

Equipment rental is included free in all non-pro courses (Open Water, Advanced, Rescue, Specialties). All gear is serviced annually or sooner per manufacturer specs. Our dedicated in-house service technician lives and works on the island, so issues get fixed before they get worse.

If you want to buy your own gear during your stay, talk to the team – they’ll point you at what’s worth the money for the type of diving you’re planning, and what isn’t. No pushy sales.