Congratulations ands welcome! You'll get a variety of answers from people with that question. My answer is check out your local shops for sales on used rental equipment. Almost any equipment sold today is safe. Buying rental gear lets you try it out and see if it's comfortable and matches you dive style. Threy will also have prices on packages of new stuff. I would advise you look around at the folks you will be diving with. What kind of equiipment are they using? Is there a scuba club you can join? What type of equipment you buy depends on what type of diving you'll be doing; cold, warm, beach, boat the variations are endless. Unless you're well off the equipment can last a long, long time. Hook up with some dive buddies. Take your time. It's not a race to kit up. If you have to buy a piece at a time start with a exposure protection,Regulator/SPG, BC, dive computerin that order.
Have fun and dive safe. You realize the primary function of a divemaster is to be a tank monkey for the instructor!
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