Susexful

Since I am planning on taking Scuba lessons in September. What equipment do you guys recommend I buy first?

Im the type of person who hates buying the same thing twice, I would rather buy the best or close to the best, than to have to go back and buy a newer one later, because the cheaper one broke or wore out, or do not have an important feature I want.

I live here in Los Angeles, Near Venice Beach. There are Scuba shops all over this area, seems like there is one on every main Blvd. One shop I went to who I may get my lessons from, told me its best to buy as much of the equipment as possible before the lessons in the pool, so that the instructor can help me figure out how much weight I will need to add. She said depending on the wetsuit/drysuit I purchace it can have an affect on how much weight I need to add. What she told me made lots of sense, but I still rather ask others.

Here are my questions, hopefully you guys can answer? Im sorry if these same questions has been asked before here.

Do dive shops allow customers to try on the equipment in a pool before purchase?

What equipment should I buy first? Mask, Fins, Snorkel, Boots, Gloves, Wetsuit or Drysuit? (I dont have much body fat, so should I get a thicker suit?)

Which brand of Mask has the best view or largest view area?

I saw snorkels which close off the tip when you dive, and then open when you surface, to keep water from entering, are these recommended?

What fins are best, a solid fin or the fins which has the split down the center?

What brands of the above (beginner) equipment is the best? If you had to purchase gear as a beginner as I am, What brand and gear model would you purchase, if money is not to big of an issue?

If you had unlimited funds to buy the best gear, what brand and model numbers would that be?

What brand has the best customer service, where if I need it repaired they have lots of dive shops which repair or sell thier equipment?

Is it best to own your own tank? if so which one, and which weigh the least? and how many?

What is the average price for Scuba lessons to get certified? (especially in the Los Angeles area)

What is the average price for advanced lessons? (especially in the Los Angeles area)

How many dives do you recommend I do before buying equipment which I will have to rent for classes?

Is there a chart which show how thick of a suit is recommended for a specific range of water tempatures? I get cold very easily, and hate being cold.

Are flash lights a considered a required piece of equipment when Diving? if so Which brand, model #?

Is it a good Idea to purchace a spare mask?

While in the Dive shops I saw lots of those vest which hold the tanks and weights and equipment. How would one know which is the best? And what are the most important features to look for in them? Are these what people call BC's? if so what does that stand for?

What other safety equipment do you recommend? Like a knife? Whistle? Flare gun ? Do a company make a distress beakon which each diver can wear, so they can be found if lost at sea? Are there underwater or ocean water proof GPS systems? (I know that may be a very dumb question)

I hear that Divers actually get stranded while open sea diving, is this true? if so what is the main cause of something like that?

Are there underwater Heart rate monitors, so you can keep track of your heartrate, to control your breathing?

Do the color of wetsuits/drysuits matter? Do the bright colors have any affect on the fish? Do certain colors draw more attention from fish, are certain colors underwater easier to see, so if you get lost your dive partners can find you better?

Are there specific doctors who give fitness exams for diving? Any recommendations?

Have any of you used those full faced mask with buddy phone so you can communicate underwater? if so which brand and how do you like it?



I cant think of anymore questions right now, but If I do I will post here.

Thanks

scuba jerm

Wow, you have a ton of great questions.... I'll try to answer the best I can.

Good service orientated dive shops will let you try out equipment before you buy... some will let you try out new stuff, but I'm sure you'll need to show a significant amount of interest in buying that gear after you've used it.

All of the above.... as for the wetsuit, I'm assuming you'll be diving in water between 50 and 70 so I'd go with a 7mm suit and add a hooded vest for the colder days. Akona makes a great 7mm suit. I love mine, it's the best 7mm I've had so far.

Personally I like the Sherwood line of masks... they are a great fit for most people, and they have a huge viewing area.... however fit is always personal... do try one on first.

yes, they are... they are nice..... however I bet after your certification you won't use a snorkel very much so don't freak out over this purchase.... just get what you need for the class.

Personally I like the split fin models. They are easier on your legs... don't require as much finning effort which in the end adds to your bottom time. Aeris makes a good one.... it's called the Velocity fin. The best one however is made by Oceanic, it's the vortex V-12, it has got the best reviews.

Not sure if this question is answerable. I like a ton of different brands. XS Scuba, is one of my favorite though... again it depends on what fits you best.

Most of the manufacturers are quite good. Just make sure that whoever you purchase your gear from is authorized to sell it.... meaning they carry full manufacturers warranty.... there are some "grey" market retailers out there.

Get a Sherwood Al80. Nice if you're looking for a lighter tank. However the steel tanks are not that much heavier and will make it so you don't have to add as much weight to your bc.... something to think about.

probably $300?

all it takes is one dive with crappy equipment and you'll get all your own gear after that. So I'd get it early... just do your research first.

I'd get a 7mm first based on your diving location, then if I was a card reader is see in your future a drysuit. Ask your instructor about them.... they are better than wetsuits for those 50 degree days.

lights are a good thing to add to your gear collection. Night diving can be the most peaceful, fun diving. I did one in Fiji that was amazing. If you have a good light you will likely look for an opertunity to night dive. It's purely amazing!

you bet! having an extra mask can save a dive trip for you.... I'd get 2 or 3 of them.

Yes that is a BC. which stands for buoyancy compensator. This is as personal of a purchase as your own underwear try on a few first... see what other girls like to use, etc. I personally like the Oceanic line as well as XS Scuba. But I'd highly suggest getting one of your own. I had a bad rental in Hawaii, totally screwed up my dive, and when you are paying for the trip, dive master, boat etc... having bad equipment just flat out sucks.

there is never any dumb questions. Alot of companies make a saftey tube that is bright and when inflated allows you to be visible out at sea. As far as the GPS... it's available but freakin' expensive.

Carelessness, stupidity, poor planning/communication, diving alone. Just make sure you can navigate back to the boat and you should be fine.... doesn't happen all that often as far as I know/heard.


I'm sure that would make a good science experiment, but yes... if you have on some bright gear it is easier to see your buddy underwater.

Don't know... ask your doctor.. they may even be a diver and could give you some good recommendations for exercise.

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Scuba Jerm

glynneco

WOW! Alot of questions. The problem is there are a lot of opinions on which is the best of anything. Many of the answers depend on what type of diving you want to do. Where? How often? With who? Blue water? Warm water? Cold water? Wreck? Beach? Boat? Many revolve around personal likes and dislikes. Some things like wetsuits and mask the fit can vary by brand. Take the class. Rent the equipment. See what you like and fits well. Then go on a few dives with other folks see what they use. Rent different equipment from a couple of othe shops. Be cautious. You don't want to get the best(most expensive) you want to get the best equipment for you.
Dive shops are different. I've seen some require that you buy just fins and mask. Some Fins, mask, boots and gloves. Some rent the whole thing.
It's not a race to be fully geared. Talk to several dive shops about equipment and what they have to offer. Join a dive club seek their advice as well. Pick up some dive magazines. They are always testing and rating equipment. The magazine web sites have equipment articles from past issues.

Reality? Most products today are very good so you can hardly go wrong from a safety standpoint.

I dive with a Dive Rite trans pac with a tec wing (the BC or bouyancy control device). I am the proud owner of 2 120 low pressure tanks. A Hendeson 7mil hyperstretch wetsuit with gloves and boots of the same mil thicknes. (i also have a 3 mil akona wetsuit for blue/warm water and lite gloves) ASuunto Vyper computer. Dive Rite regulator(first stage, primary and secondary[aka octo, octopus or the yellow one] spg( contains a depth gauge and a pressure gauge to determine the air vol in your tank) with a built in compass. Wreck reel , safety sausage, wreck lite, whistle, lift bag, safety shears and a big honkin' dive knife I strap to my leg on the inside calf. I also have well I could go on and on. You won't do this in a day. You could but then you wouldn't ahve any fun going into a dive shop any more.

The basics? Mask, fins, hood, gloves, boots, wetsuit, regulator pkg with compass, BC, dive computer. In that order.
If you are diving in the ocean a saftey sausage and whistle.
Dive shops will often put together pakgages at a discount so check them out.

I don't know if this helps. Your class will help you understand the terms and basics. Take the class then worry about the equipment. Don't put the cart before the horse.

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Is that the bottom of the quarry or is the vis just really bad today?

mikeh269

Adding to that, sometimes a light is very useful, just for curiosity's sake.
I went on a wreck dive, where the wreck was a fairly recently sunk yacht (last 6 months). A few of the windows were clear, having a dive light then to see through would have been quite interesting