What do I need for an Open Water Course
Isaac Neiger Sep 04, 2025
Thinking of taking an Open Water course to start your underwater adventures? Here are the core personal items required at Narcosis.
Open Water students must provide their own appropriate personal equipment. This includes Mask, Fins, Snorkel, Booties, Slate/Pencil, Cutting device, and See Me Sausage/Surface Marker.
If you can’t see, it will be a safety issue and will be hard to enjoy your adventures underwater.
Not any mask will do.
Things to look for in a Mask:
- Must have a high-quality silicone skirt with tempered glass or polycarbonate lenses
- Must fit properly. The mask should be able to seal without the bask strap fitted
- Should be mid-to-low volume
- No rubber, PVC or plastic-like skirt
- No swimming goggles
- Those that require corrective lenses must use either a prescription mask or contact lenses (soft or semi-hard gas perm). If you need glasses to drive a car you will need them for all diving activities
- Must be in good condition
Things to look for in a Snorkle:
- Must have a flexible section to allow the mouthpiece to drop away to allow the use of the second stage regulator without obstruction
- Have a keeper to attache the snorkel to the mask
- Must have an appropriate tube diameter and length for the user
- Be in good condition
- Heavy and/or bulky dry-valve snorkels strongly discouraged as the increase entanglement and drag hazards
- Purge valves highly recommended for ease of clearing
Things to look for in Fins:
- Must be open-heel adjustable or high-performance full-foot fins for use in all in water activities
- Open-heel fins must be worn with the properly fitting neoprene over-the ankle boots with a sole
- Must fit properly and be in good condition
- Should have straps with quick release buckets or spring straps that are in good condition
- The blade must be sized correctly and stiff enough to be able to propel a fully kited diver through the water
Booties
What to look for in Booties
- Appropriate exposure protection for the students comfort and protection from thermal loss, and abrasion.
- Must be appropriate for the conditions you might have to walk over or the correct thickness for the temp of water.
Other equipment
- Slate/Pencil- a small wrist slate or wet notes to record notes, dive plan, etc.
- See-Me Sausage or Surface marker- to be deployed at the surface so boat traffic/Dive boat can see/locate you
- Exposure protection - rash guard, skin, wet suit, dry suit, etc.
- Cuttind device - must be able to reach easily Knife, Line cutter, shears, etc.
Now it can be daunting with all the different gear manufactures but; we can help. We always suggest that you go to your local dive shop like Narcosis Scuba Center for help in sizing and learn the differance between the different gear manufactures and how the options might work for you.