We polled hundreds of PADI dive professionals for their best tips for buying, using and maintaining scuba gear. Here are 10 of the most useful nuggets of expert equipment advice to help divers of every skill level.

• “Try it before you buy it. Everyone will tell you that their gear is the best: Choose what fits and works best for you.”
Todd Ketterman, Adventure Scuba (New York, New York)

• “Spray a mix of baby shampoo and water into full-foot fins before donning them — they will slide right on.”
Steve Wolborsky, PADI MSDT, Talofofo, Guam

• “Replace your buckle-style fin straps with quick-donning-and-doffing spring straps, which eliminates that awkward sea-sickness-inducing wait on the back of the dive boat while everyone stand in line sighing while you adjust the combination lock on you fins. It will also allow you to easily doff your fins in seconds to board the boat at the end of the dive.”
Bryan W. Eslava, PADI Course Director, Down Under Dive Shop (Gulf Shores, Alabama)

• “Fill a spray bottle with 1/3 baby shampoo and 2/3 water. If you have trouble sliding into your wetsuit, spray a little on each leg and it will glide right on — and it keeps your suit smelling fresh.”
Leigh Vinzant, PADI MSDT, Centennial, Colorado

• “Replace silicone and rubber mask straps with an easy-to-use, super-comfortable neoprene/Velcro strap. This will eliminate hair pulling and entanglement.”
Bryan W. Eslava, PADI Course Director, Down Under Dive Shop (Gulf Shores, Alabama)

• “A stainless steel double-ended snap works well as a clip to hold any doo-dad and also doubles as a tank-banger.”
Genevieve Sparg, Plantation FL

• “Keep a few O-rings on your watchband, mask strap, knife or wherever — it can save you a trip back to the boat, or the vehicle.”
Janette Bell, PADI MSDT

• “Lean to use a dive computer early in your training — don’t wait and try to learn to use it quickly when you are ready to go deeper.”
Todd Ketterman, Adventure Scuba (New York, New York)

• “The easiest way to put on a full wetsuit is to put your foot in a plastic bag — it will slide easily down the leg. (Pantyhose works too.)”
Chris Waites, Master Scuba Diver Trainer, Dive Cabarete, Dominican Republic

• “Magic erasers work incredibly well for cleaning dive slates, even under water! Take one magic eraser and cut it into 6-8 smaller erasers and throw them in your dive kit. No mess or rinse required.”
Patrick O’Horo, Dive Master, Sports Chalet, Queen Creek Arizona