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Scuba Gear for Kids: What to Buy

Scuba Gear for Kids: What to Buy

Written by Fernando Lopez
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Published on July 20, 2018
child on the surface of the water wearing scuba gear

It can be very challenging to choose the right scuba diving gear—even more so for kids. Aside from having to wade through a large selection of products and brands (at various price points), there’s the bigger challenge of making sure that each item fits well. In this article, we’ll list down the essential scuba diving equipment that a child will need, and how you can choose the right items to ensure their overall comfort and safety.

Choosing Scuba Gear for Kids

Young girl doing okay sign while diving underwater

Below you’ll find a short list of diving equipment that a child aged 10 and above will need for their scuba diving lessons. To make sure that you don’t waste any money, we’ll also provide some tips to help you find the right fit and a list of some of the most important things you need to consider for each piece of equipment.

Scuba Mask

XS Scuba Goby Mask scuba gear for kids

Kids will need a mask that perfectly fits their small faces. If they already have a mask from a snorkeling set, you may still want to replace it with one that can create a better seal considering he or she will be diving in deeper (or at least deeper than the typical depth for snorkeling) waters. Also, look for one that has low volume, so it’s much easier to clear, and a soft silicone skirt to make it more comfortable to wear on the face.

For a narrow design that’s low-profile and comfortable for kids’ small and delicate faces, the XS Scuba Goby Mask is a good choice. It ensures just the right fit for snorkeling and diving, plus it comes in fun colors like bright blue and neon yellow.

Ideal Scuba Mask for Kids:

  • Low-volume
  • Comfortable to wear
  • With soft silicone skirt for delicate skin
  • Creates a better seal than snorkeling masks
  • Brightly-colored for easy identification

Buoyancy Compensator

Zeagle Ranger JR Youth BC scuba gear for kids

A buoyancy compensating device, more commonly referred to as just BC or BCD, is the specialized multi-purpose “vest” that divers use to achieve neutral buoyancy at depth and positive buoyancy on the surface. It has an inflatable bladder that gets filled up with varying amounts of gas to keep the diver stable at different water levels.

When choosing a BC for children, make sure to pick one that provides the best fits and is easy for them to operate. They definitely shouldn’t be using your adult-sized BC or anything that they will have to keep adjusting so that it doesn’t rise to their ears while underwater or ride too low once they’ve resurfaced.

A good option is the Zeangle Ranger JR Youth BC, which is easily adjustable to achieve a personal fit and is designed to grow with your child.

Ideal BC for Kids:

  • Specifically designed for children
  • Easy to operate
  • Ensures a good fit both under and above water
  • Can be used even as the child grows bigger

Wetsuit

Pinnacle Venture 3mm Jumpsuit scuba gear for kids

This major piece of garment for diving is typically designed and used for safety, buoyancy, warmth, flexibility, wind resistance, and hydrodynamics. But since kids normally get cold faster due to their small bodies and lower body fat, it becomes more important to prioritize warmth and comfort. A snug-fitting suit lets water in and allows it to be warmed to body temperature in order to serve as an extra insulating layer, so be careful not to choose one that’s too loose.

Also, remember to mind the thickness of the suit. Something like the Pinnacle Venture 3mm Kids Jumpsuit is thin and comfortable enough for warm water diving, snorkeling, and even watersports. You can also check out NeoSport’s 3mm Junior Jumpsuit, which offers added features such as UV protection and thermal-bonded knee pads to help protect against scrapes.

Ideal Scuba Diving Wetsuit for Kids:

  • Easy to put on without supervision
  • Snug but comfortable fit
  • Thick enough for specific water temperatures
  • Flexible enough for freedom of movement
  • Offers adequate protection against cuts, scrapes, etc.

Diving Regulator

Mares Prestige 15X diving regulator scuba gear for kids

One of the most challenging purchases to make is the diving regulator. These don’t differ a lot in size and weight, and yet it’s essential to choose a relatively compact and sturdy mouthpiece that kids with smaller mouths would be comfortable biting without it wearing out easily. Also equally important is that the hose be somewhat flexible and lightweight, so the child’s jaw doesn’t quickly get fatigued—particularly during long dives.

Fortunately, kids never outgrow their regulators, so don’t hesitate to invest in a good one that costs a bit more. Regulators designed for travel, like the Mares Prestige 15X, are usually low-profile and lightweight, making them more ideal for children.

Ideal Diving Regulator for Kids:

  • Has a compact and sturdy mouthpiece
  • Comes with a flexible hose
  • Low-profile
  • Lightweight and compact

Fins

Deep See Full Foot Sea Star Fin Jr. scuba gear for kids

Fins help divers move more swiftly and efficiently underwater without much effort. For kids, you’ll need a pair with long, very flexible, and lightweight blades so kicking won’t be difficult and tiring for little legs.

Fortunately, fins usually accommodate two or three shoe sizes, so your child should be able to use the same pair for a couple of years. But to ensure that you get the most out of your chosen pair, you can also opt open-toed or open-heeled fins, which can comfortably fit fast-growing feet thanks to their adjustable heel straps.

The Deep See Full Foot Sea Star Fin Jr. has soft and comfortable foot pockets, so they don’t end up chafing little feet, plus it has semi-rigid blades for easy yet effective propulsion. If you prefer an open-heeled pair, the Deep See Kids Splash Split Fins has an adjustable strap and features “Split Blade Technology” to combat drag and improve lift and propulsion.

To further ensure their comfort, have them wear booties or water shoes inside their fins. These can help ensure a more snug and comfortable fit and, at the same time, protect the feet when the fins have to come off and the child needs to walk on sand and rocks.

Ideal Scuba Diving Fins for Kids:

  • Lightweight
  • Has long, flexible blades
  • Comes with soft foot pockets
  • Open-toed or open-heeled to accommodate growing feet