A year ago, I was a 17-year-old learning to dive. In January, I found myself descending into the depths of the legendary SS Thistlegorm in the Red Sea.
This was my first liveaboard, my first wreck penetrations, and my first real dive expedition. It was also the first time I wasn’t using rental gear, but a full setup properly fitted and chosen for me by Mike's Dive Store in London. This trip marked a turning point in my diving journey.It was the moment I transitioned from being newly certified to truly feeling like a capable, independent diver.
As a new Advanced Open Water diver heading into my first dive trip, the reliability of my gear mattered more than I can express. Once you stop worrying about your equipment, you can start truly experiencing the dive and noticing the details, such as the way fragments of light filter through a wreck and the vibrant nudibranchs hiding in the crevices.
From rental gear to complete trust
Departing from Hurghada, our itinerary explored some of the Northern Red Sea’s most iconic sites. It was unlike anything I had experienced before: reefs alive with colour and movement, and wrecks lying in stillness, each carrying its own story and decades of history beneath the surface. But diving in environments like this demands awareness, buoyancy control, and a level of confidence that can feel daunting as a new diver—especially when currents pick up or you’re navigating inside a wreck for the first time. What surprised me most was how much of that confidence came simply from knowing my gear inside out.
Before this trip, every dive involved unfamiliar rental equipment. Slightly different BCDs, regulators, computers. You adapt, but you never fully relax. Using my own setup changed that immediately.
Underwater, I felt more stable and in control than I ever had before. Holding trim required less effort, and hovering beside the wreck felt calm rather than something I had to constantly manage. The Scubapro Hydros Pro 2 BCD played a big role in this. Everything, from the dump valves to the weight system, felt intuitive. Instead of adjusting constantly, I could focus on buoyancy and what was actually happening around me.
The MK25 EVO/S620Ti regulator made an even bigger difference. The breathing was so smooth and natural that I stopped thinking about it entirely. As a newer diver, that reduced stress more than I expected. Calm breathing leads to calm diving, and I found myself using less air as a result.
Keeping track of depth and no-decompression limits also felt simpler. My Suunto D4i Novo was clear and easy to read at a glance, which was especially important during repetitive dives and deeper wreck profiles.
Comfort becomes critical - Especially on a Liveaboard
Liveaboard diving is intense—in the best way. We were doing up to four dives a day, and small discomforts would have added up quickly.
I found my wetsuit made the biggest difference during the trip. The Mike’s Dive Store team suggested the Waterproof W7 5mm wetsuit for me, and it was perfect for the January conditions. The Red Sea might look tropical, but repetitive dives add up, and I was grateful for the warmth. It kept me consistently comfortable without restricting movement, and it was surprisingly easy to get into and out of (something I was dreading when doing four dives a day). Paired with my Fourth Element Pelagic boots, entries and exits were secure and comfortable even in full gear.
What I learned overall as a new diver
At the start of the trip, everything felt like a step up: depth, currents, wreck penetration, and the sheer scale of the environment. But dive by dive, something shifted.
Because my gear was consistent and reliable, I stopped worrying about it. It became familiar,predictable, and trustworthy. That mental shift allowed me to relax, improve faster, and fullyexperience dives like Thistlegorm and the mesmerising reefs of Ras Mohammed NationalPark.
For anyone considering their first serious dive trip, especially somewhere as iconic as the Red Sea, my biggest advice would be this:
- Familiar gear builds confidence faster than anything else
- Comfort makes a huge difference on repetitive dives
- Don't party too hard the night before a full day of diving, and stay hydrated
- When you trust your gear, you improve faster
Invest in gear that fits properly, works consistently, and comes from people who understand diving, because when you’re descending into blue water above a historic wreck, confidence is everything.
If Keita's experience resonates with you and you're thinking about your first liveaboard, your first serious dive trip, or simply making the move from rental gear to your own setup, our team at Mike's Dive Store is here to help. We've kitted out divers of every level — from newly certified open water divers to seasoned wreck enthusiasts — and we take the time to make sure every piece of gear fits your diving style, your body, and your budget. Don't leave something as important as your underwater confidence to chance. Pop into our London store, give us a call, or schedule a consultation and we'll make sure you're set up right before you ever hit the water.
* header image taken by Steve Barnard
