As a Professional Scuba Instructor and content creator, there are a number of items I recommend and use regularly when diving, teaching, and recording. Below you'll find my list of recommendations.
If you are interested in what to bring on your next dive trip, check out my free Ultimate SCUBA Travel Packing List. You can fill it out digitally or print it so you have a copy for every trip you go on.
Scuba Equipment Recommendations
Hollis ST Elite Backplate System
The ST Elite System combines Hollis' most popular single tank components into one, including the Elite 2 harness for the ultimate in features and comfort in a backplate and harness system.
Hollis ST Elite Travel Backplate System
For warm water and travel destinations we have the ST Elite Travel, which includes the ST22 wing Aluminum backplate 2.0, Delrin cam bands and Backplate backpad 2.0. While those diving in colder waters can choose the ST Elite system, which includes the ST35 wing, Stainless backplate 2.0 and Backplate backpad 2.0.
Hollis M1 Frameless Scuba Diving Mask
Visibility is the most important aspect of any dive. The M1 mask raises the bar for optical quality and distortion free vision. This lens is an extra clear glass which is valued for its attractive appearance and optical qualities. The low iron content produces a higher light transmittance and a reduced green tint inherent in other glasses. This makes the lens distortion free and helps improve color and visibility in low light conditions underwater.
Apeks RK3 Military Rubber Fins
The RK3 fin design has been the standard for Military, Special Ops, Coast Guard, and Public Safety Divers for decades. It is a traditional all rubber design. The RK3 blade material is formulated to hold up in the toughest environments, temperatures, and abuse. The short wide blade provides maximum forward thrust while maintaining great maneuverability. The vented blade design reduces resistance on the upstroke and enhances thrust on the downstroke. The fins come standard with stainless steel spring straps.
Shearwater Perdix 2 Ti Dive Computer
The PERDIX 2 is our toughest and most reliable full-size computer yet. The armoured casing with precision titanium surround bezel and dependable titanium piezo touch buttons protect performance-enhanced electronics.
Air integration with up to four Shearwater transmitters allows room to grow from a first computer to a powerful, proven advanced technical diving solution. This is delivered using the trusted and easy to find user-changeable single AA battery and familiar ergonomic compact form factor.
Hollis DX-300X Drysuit
The DX-300X is the newest addition to the Hollis exposure line. Designed by technical divers, for technical divers and developed over three years in a variety of demanding conditions. It is maneuverable and comfortable while ensuring long wearing durability. The DX-300X is the benchmark expedition-grade dry suit, with superior strength & comfort. Overall material weight is 700 g/sq. Outer layer is a heavy duty Cordura Ripstop which offers superior puncture and abrasion resistance with incredible tear strength in excess of 300N (64.5 lbs.). The middle Butyl Mass is constructed of 12 layers to provide long-term water integrity with superb chemical & ozone resistance. Inner liner is a silk weave polyester offering the optimum in comfort and softness with easy donning and doffing. Freedom of movement is optimized with panels cut on the material bias to provide 25% extra stretch than traditional trilam and a low profile and flexible diagonal front YKK zipper entry. Suit includes SiTech silicone neck and wrist seals for comfort and quick replacement. The suit is also fitted with two large bellow thigh pockets (both with hook and loop closure and 2"/2.5cm D-ring), 3M reflective safety strips for visibility, double thickness kneepads 5mm neoprene socks and internal adjustable suspenders. Chest mount inflation and should mount exhaust valves. The wide flat seam construction minimizes the risk of leaks in high risk areas. Patented bias cut combined with a telescopic torso.
Henderson Mens 5mm Greenprene Back Zip Full Wetsuit
Greenprene is a sustainable, insanely warm, super stretchy, ultra-durable insulating foam that provides excellent UV resistance. Greenprene is also significantly lighter in weight than traditional neoprene materials. Greenprene is 100% neoprene free sustainable insulating foam. It has been tested and is approved by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Bio Preferred program as a USDA Biobased product. Greenprene is formulated from deproteinized natural rubber along with other natural additives such as sugar cane, plant oils and oyster shells. The result is a sustainable Bio Based insulating foam that is ultra-soft, stretchy, durable and light weight. Greenprene wetsuits will allow you to move freely without restriction while keeping you warm and comfortable in the most demanding conditions.
Apeks XTX50 DIN Regulator
The XTX50 is for the discerning diver who wants the benefits of a feature-rich regulator at a moderate price. This popular regulator has four medium-pressure ports all mounted on a rotating turret, resulting in optimal hose routing while eliminating sharp bends in the hose. Four medium-pressure ports all mounted on a rotating turret. This results in optimal hose routing while eliminating sharp bends in the hose. Features an innovative Diver Changeable Exhaust system (DCE). This system gives the diver the ability to change from a small exhaust tee to a large exhaust tee. This gives the user a choice, wider exhaust tee for minimal bubble interference (essential for underwater photography) and narrow exhaust tee for a smaller compact comfortable regulator.
Sherwood Scuba Oasis Pro Diving Regulator
The Sherwood Oasis is simply one of the most comfortable regulators you can breathe while diving. It is well documented that scuba diving and breathing compressed air can dehydrate you. The Oasis Pro has two uniquely designed Moisture Retention Vanes that carefully capture the moisture from your exhalation and returns it to you on the inhalation, giving the diver one of the most comfortable diving experiences.
Camera Gear Recommendations
GoPro HERO11 Black
Capture. Charge. Relax. That’s all it takes to get incredible highlight videos sent to your phone automatically.1 Start by capturing your adventures with HERO11 Black—the most powerful GoPro yet. It features front and rear LCD screens that let you frame your shots perfectly, plus a new image sensor that unleashes the tallest and widest field of view ever on a HERO camera. The result is higher image quality, better video stabilization and the flexibility to turn your footage into wide cinematic shots or extra-tall vertical shots for social posts. 5.3K video and 27MP photos help you relive your best moments in stunning detail, while Emmy® Award-winning HyperSmooth 5.0 stabilization with Horizon Lock keeps your footage straight even if your camera rotates a full 360°. After your adventure, simply plug in HERO11 Black to charge and kick back. While you’re relaxing, your footage is uploaded to the cloud, automatically turned into an amazing highlight video and sent to your phone—ready to share.
GoPro Protective Housing
Your GoPro is rugged and waterproof right out of the box, but this tough housing handles anything you can throw at it. It protects from dirt and flying debris during intense action; plus, it's waterproof down to 196ft (60m) and perfect for deep-water diving.
Light and Motion SOLA Video 2500 F
The perfect video light for the traveling diver! The Sola Video 2500 Flood features powerful output and is fully regulated so lumens stay consistent throughout the entire runtime – essential for video consistency. The optical design provides wide illumination void of hot spots or artifacts for clean wide beam. The Video 2500 is a favorite for action and compact camera setups as a dual light setup but the power works well as a stand-alone video light in tandem with a strobe.
Dual Flexible Arms Underwater Camera Tray for GoPro
Underwater camera tray with dual flexible arms, which are standard for majority of underwater housings. Tray is suitable for most of underwater camera housings including GoPro cameras. Tray supports and provides stability for your camera, while arms provide easy way to adjust video lights to provide the best lighting angle for your underwater video.
Book Recommendations
The Reef Set: Reef Fish, Reef Creature and Reef Coral (3 Volumes)
Reef Fish Identification: Florida, Caribbean & Bahamas ; (4th Edition); Reef Creature Identification: Florida, Caribbean & Bahamas (3rd Edition) and Reef Coral Identification: Florida, Caribbean & Bahamas (3rd Edition) packaged in a beautifully printed shelf case. These books are fantastic guides to the underwater creatures you see while diving.
Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver
From one of the world’s most renowned cave divers, a firsthand account of exploring the earth’s final frontier: the hidden depths of our oceans and the sunken caves inside our planet
Deco for Divers
Deco for Divers provides a comprehensive overview of the principles underlying decompression theory. Mark Powell has written a book that for the first time allows the average diver to fully understand the principles behind this fascinating aspect of diving. This book bridges the gap between introductory books and source scientific information.
Diving Physiology in Plain English
This book is for all scuba divers and those interested in diving, regardless of diving certification level or academic background. The purpose is to present the interesting concepts behind the physiology, so all can understand and enjoy.
Under Pressure: Diving Deeper with Human Factors
Most incidents and accidents are down to "human error". Unfortunately, human error is normal and common, and we can't get rid of it. However, we can reduce the likelihood of one of those - "oh shit moments" - if we have an understanding of human factors and develop our non-technical skills.
This book is a must for all divers who want to manage their risks more effectively and have fun in the process.
In Oceans Deep: Courage, Innovation, and Adventure Beneath the Waves
In this masterful account in the spirit of Bill Bryson and Ian Frazier, a longtime deep-sea diver masterfully weaves together the science and history of Earth's last remaining frontier: the sea.
An American Immersion: How the first woman to dive all 50 states was transformed by her quest
Do you long for adventure? Do you want to do more scuba diving? Did you know that the U.S. offers amazing scuba diving experiences? I applied rugged passion and dedication to complete a 5-year journey in which I became the first woman to dive all 50 states. In this book, you will discover hidden beauty in U.S. waters and learn some of the best places to scuba dive in the U.S. While this book can serve as your ultimate U.S.-based scuba travel guide, you will also learn how to overcome obstacles, and follow your own bold path of adventure in scuba diving.
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