India, Nov. 17 -- I'm on a mission after my first two basic scuba diving sessions! I want to understand the nuances of the sport, improve my swimming every summer, and complete a seven-day course before I turn forty. While I'm moving slowly in terms of skill and rapidly in terms of age, I wanted to know what a serious diver truly needs before taking the plunge. Renting gear and borrowing dive suits can work for beginners, but I prefer having my own equipment that fits well and feels reliable.

To get clarity, I reached out to Abhishek Sukumaran, proprietor of Aquanaut India and PADI Divemaster, who shared his top picks and diver favourites with HT ShopNow. He said, "I often get asked which gear a beginner should invest in first. My top pi...