Scuba Gear Demo Sessions

Buying scuba gear without trying it is a gamble. A full face mask that fits perfectly in the shop can feel completely different once you are actually breathing through it underwater. A DPV that looks manageable on a shelf is a different experience when you are holding it at depth and trying to maintain trim. Sidemount configuration either clicks for you or it does not, and the only way to know is to get in the water with it.

Gear demo sessions at Dive Arizona are one-two hour pool sessions where certified divers can get in the water and actually use the equipment before deciding whether to buy it. Sessions are small so there is time to try things properly, not just dip your face in and hand it back. Check the calendar for upcoming dates and register to hold your spot.

How It Works

Each demo session runs for two hours in the pool at Dive Arizona. Gear is set up and ready when you arrive. Staff are in the water with you to help you get set up correctly, answer questions, and make sure you get real time on whatever you came to try. You are welcome to try multiple pieces of equipment in a single session depending on what is available that day.

Demo sessions are open to certified divers. If you are not yet certified but are curious about a particular piece of gear, call us at (480) 881-4013 and we can talk through options.

What We Demo

Full Face Masks

A full face mask seals around your entire face, lets you breathe through your nose and mouth, and changes the experience of diving in ways that are hard to describe until you try one. Dive Arizona provides Ocean Technology Systems (OTS) Guardian and Spectrum masks and Ocean Reef masks for demos. If you have been considering the Full Face Mask Diver course or just want to know what the fuss is about, a demo session is the right first step.

DPVs (Underwater Scooters)

A diver propulsion vehicle lets you cover distance underwater without burning through your air on fin kicks. The range of a dive site changes considerably when you are not working to move across it. Demo sessions give you time in the pool to get comfortable with the controls, practice trim while holding the unit, and get a feel for how a DPV changes your buoyancy and body position.

Sidemount Configuration

Sidemount carries your cylinders at your sides rather than on your back. The configuration improves horizontal trim, puts valve access directly in front of you, and is foundational to cave diving and many technical setups. It also just feels different from backmount, and some divers find it more comfortable for recreational diving. Demo sessions let you find out which camp you are in before investing in a harness and cylinders.

Backmount Technical Configuration

Technical backmount setup -- backplate and wing, with standardized hose routing and streamlined configuration -- is different from recreational BCD setup. If you are considering the technical track and want to feel what that configuration is like before committing to the gear, demo sessions are the place to try it.

Brand Demo Days -- XDeep, TUSA, Nex, Diverite and Others

Occasionally Dive Arizona runs demo sessions focused on specific brands and product lines. Past and upcoming brand demos have included XDeep BCDs, TUSA BCDs, Nex regulators, and other gear from brands we carry. These sessions are the chance to try a specific BCD or regulator you have been researching and compare it in the water against what you already dive. Brand demo dates are announced on the calendar -- check back regularly or call us at (480) 881-4013 to ask what is coming up.

What to Bring

Bring your own mask, fins, and boots. Wetsuit and weights are available at the shop if you need them. All demo equipment is provided, just show up ready to get in the water.

Who Can Attend

Demo sessions are open to certified divers of any certification level. Some gear, sidemount, technical backmount, DPVs, is more relevant to divers with existing open water experience, but there are no specific certification prerequisites to attend a demo session. If you have questions about whether a particular session is right for your experience level, call us at (480) 881-4013.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I try scuba gear before buying it?

Yes. That is exactly what gear demo sessions are for. You get two hours in the pool with the equipment you want to try, with staff available to help you set it up correctly and answer questions. Check the calendar for upcoming demo dates.

What gear is available to demo at Dive Arizona?

Regular demo equipment includes full face masks (OTS Guardian, OTS Spectrum, Ocean Reef), DPVs, sidemount configuration, and technical backmount configuration. Brand-specific demo sessions rotate and have included XDeep BCDs, TUSA BCDs, Nex regulators, and other gear we carry. Call us at (480) 881-4013 or check the calendar to see what is coming up.

How do gear demo sessions work?

Sessions run two hours in the pool at Dive Arizona. Gear is set up and ready when you arrive. Staff are in the water with you throughout the session. You can try multiple pieces of equipment in one session depending on availability. Register in advance to hold your spot, sessions are small by design.

Do I need to be a certified diver to attend a gear demo?

Yes. Demo sessions are open to certified divers. If you are not yet certified and want to try a specific piece of gear, call us at (480) 881-4013 and we will talk through what options make sense.

What should I bring to a gear demo session?

Bring your own mask, fins, boots, and snorkel. Wetsuit and weights are available at the shop if you need them. All demo equipment is provided.

Want to Know What's Coming Up?

Call us at (480) 881-4013 or stop by the shop to ask about upcoming demo sessions. We are open Monday through Saturday 11am to 6pm and Sunday 11am to 5pm, at 18618 S 186th Way, Queen Creek, inside The Shooting Range.