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slowguy
Feb 17, 06 14:47
Post #1 of 14 (216 views)
SCUBA gear
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Looking at an upcoming deployment over the summer, and I'd like to do some diving. I got Basic SCUBA qualified a couple years ago, but never bought much gear. Any suggestions on BCs, regulators, computers, etc for a recreational beginner? I can't count on rentals and I don't want to spend an assload of money, but I don't want to skimp for the sake of pinching a dime either. I have good fins, snorkel, mask, booties, and gloves.
Slowguy
(insert pithy phrase here...)
stl_triness
Feb 17, 06 14:59
Post #2 of 14 (210 views)
Re: SCUBA gear [slowguy]
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It's been forever for me, but when I worked in a dive shop we used (and all of the staff personally owned) Sherwood products. They made a top notch BC and regulator that I really liked. It would be my first choice for gear.
MattinSF
Feb 17, 06 17:18
Post #3 of 14 (186 views)
Re: SCUBA gear [stl_triness]
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BCs are a lot like bikes, get one that fits properly and is comfortable. Before you dive with it you should get comfortable getting in and out of it in the dark and familiarize yourself with all of its straps zips and pockets and how the dump valve operates.
If you are diving with a dodgy dive operator I'd advise getting a BC with a built in soft weight system so you don't have to rely on any of their gear except the tank.
Regulators...you get what you pay for. Any of the top name brands will be safe and will function. Make sure you get an octopus. Get a good padded bag to carry it and NEVER check it when you fly. Its your life support system and you don't want it out of your sight.
Learn basic equipment maintenance too...how to change out O rings, replace cracked hoses etc. Nothing worse than paying $100 for a dive, spending 2 hours on a boat to get to the dive site and finding that you're missing a 50 cent O ring.
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HOPE is a plan that worked. CHANGE is a plan that worked. BELIEVE is a plan that worked.
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slowguy
Feb 17, 06 17:53
Post #4 of 14 (176 views)
Re: SCUBA gear [MattinSF]
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I will have all of this gear with me on the ship I'm deploying with. I don't know who the dive operators will be because I don't even know what ports I'll be hitting, so I'd prefer to be as self sufficient as possible. I do have some well qualified friends who will be out with me, and I agree with you about maintenance. Same thing with my bike. I just don't see leaving that sort of thing up to a shop if I can easily do it myself.
Slowguy
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slowguy
Feb 18, 06 7:23
Post #5 of 14 (153 views)
Re: SCUBA gear [slowguy]
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An additional question. Does anyone have a list of a handful of good places to dive in the Mediterranean?
Slowguy
(insert pithy phrase here...)
Monk
Feb 18, 06 7:57
Post #6 of 14 (148 views)
Re: SCUBA gear [slowguy]
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Surprised nobody mentioned bad air or tanks that are not topped off. Not much you can do to make sure your air is of good quality, but definitely check the volume of air in the tank before you drop into the water.
I would go to some dive websites and ask these questions. Your info will be a lot better. Personally, I would try to take a refresher course and get in some dives before you go over, get your bouyancy worked out for salt water, get comfortable with your equipment so you can enjoy your dive. I don't know how common Nitrox is in that area--probably not very--but if it is, I would get Nitrox certified--its really simple. You can stay down longer and have less risk of getting "hit". I didn't see you mention dive computers. Real important, IMO, and I would get one that you can switch between Nitrox and regular air.
stl_triness
Feb 18, 06 9:46
Post #7 of 14 (143 views)
Re: SCUBA gear [Monk]
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That reminded me. When I was 16 Nitrox was the 'new' thing and one of the guys at the dive shop gave me a t shirt that said Nitrox in small letters and "Stay Down Longer" in huge bright letters. At first I didn't get the double meaning but it was a conversation piece with the ladies...lol
Do you (or anyone) know if the dive shop Quiessence is still open in Key Largo?
Monk
Feb 18, 06 19:22
Post #8 of 14 (127 views)
Re: SCUBA gear [stl_triness]
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When I was 16 Nitrox was the 'new' thing
Maybe it is already passe.
Kestrel Driver
Feb 18, 06 23:53
Post #9 of 14 (119 views)
Re: SCUBA gear [slowguy]
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If you're nearby the Isle of Malta and its two smaller cousins - Gozo and Comimo (sp?), spend a couple moments there. Hire a local to squire you around Gozo especially.
You may end up not wanting to dive anywhere else.
Bring plenty of bug spray though; mosquitoes.
Good luck,
- kd
kestrel driver
DonorsChoose.org (!!!)
bogolight.com (!!!)
Freeflyer
Feb 19, 06 10:11
Post #10 of 14 (108 views)
Re: SCUBA gear [slowguy]
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I like my zeagle bc, been good to me although I'm going to be swapping out for a backplate and wings, which is more comfortable with twins. Zeagle have good after sales too, they've been very handy to talk to for spares as I was living in a country with no dive shop.
Regs, I like Apeks, solid and reliable, which is what you need.
Computers, well half the world dive on Suunto, which you can't go wrong with. Get one that does nitrox (most do) as the chances are you'll use it somepoint soon. I dive an apeks computer which is the same as the Dive Rite units (nitek duo) which is dual gas and handy for switching between gasses on staged decompressions.
If you have the wearable stuff then you only really want those 3 things. As stated before, get a bc that fits, try stuff on, load it up with a tank and weights, shake it around and see if it's stable. Make sure there's room to tighten it up as your suit will compress under water. If you're ever likely to dive in cold water, make sure your reg is rated for that, not all are (generally they're the ones with sealed first stages.
If you want to find out more than you ever wanted to know, go to http://www.scubaboard.com/forums.php and register. You'll have access to more information that you'll know what to do with. Check the faq's, do a couple of searches and asks some questions.
If you're in the med, it's not to far down ot the red sea, where there are some fabulous dive resorts such as sharm el sheik, which might be worth hitting for a few days.
Right, trainer is calling, have fun and stay safe on your deployment.
J.
Helitech
Feb 20, 06 7:57
Post #11 of 14 (81 views)
Re: SCUBA gear [slowguy]
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I like my Poseidon jet stream regulator , Spare air bottle , Cressi sub free diving fins , get a low volume mask of black silicon . The clear masks will give you too much glare .
The free diving in - Guam -Samoa -Panama -Cayman ,I will never forget .
shortyrock
Feb 20, 06 8:25
Post #12 of 14 (74 views)
Re: SCUBA gear [Helitech]
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I'm a Scuba Instructor, and have been diving for a long time. Its kind of like any other sport in that you have to comfortable with your gear - go to multiple shops and get as much info as you can.
I have been very happy with Scuba Pro regs and bc's but I really like oceanic gauges.
There's a lot of good gear out there and the most expensive is not always the best - however, stick to the top brands for regulators, both first and second stage. Wetsuits,fins,masks etc.... are all a matter of comfort
My 2 cents
Happy diving
Scott
Monk
Feb 20, 06 14:45
Post #13 of 14 (57 views)
Re: SCUBA gear [shortyrock]
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I have "old gear". What have the refinements been in the last eight years? It was pretty good stuff when I bought it--at least thats what the salesman said.
Cochise
Feb 21, 06 11:01
Post #14 of 14 (37 views)
Re: SCUBA gear [slowguy]
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http://www.zeagle.com/...docs&link=Ranger
http://www.atomicaquatics.com/
Both great products. Zeagle makes excellent BC's in various price ranges.
(This post was
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by cochise on Feb 21, 06 11:02)
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