My husband is from just outside of Moncton and used to work in Halifax for several years before moving to Saskatchewan. I think Halifax gets less screwy weather than Moncton.
Cozumel in May (are my costs normal?)
- Thread starter cuyler
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Hemlon
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cuyler
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I did my OW with rented gear in Thailand. They provided everything. That said, I had full foot fins (Mares Superchannel) and ended up blistering two toes to the point of bleeding due to the rubbing. I taped them up but still had issues the last day. While it didn't stop me from diving it wasn't overly comfortable. I also had a rough time with my mask for the first 3 dives and thought I must be doing something wrong until they burned the inside of it and the mask stopped fogging every 5 seconds (as a bonus I'm amazing at clearing out a mask with all the practice).
So, I'm looking at getting some of my own personal gear to make it a more comfortable/predictable experience. At the very least I know I'll have fins that are comfortable and a mask that fits/works. You never know what you'll get when you rent gear.
Anyone consider neoprene socks with a full foot fin or get full boots with a heelless fin, or just a great fitting fin? I'll be seeing my LDS soon but other opinions are welcome.
judydivescoz
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Now, there is an example of why diving your own, fitted gear is always preferable, but then - also a good example of getting the dives done even if you have to use make-do gear.
I've heard of burning the film on new masks but prefer toothpaste, and baby shampoo works as a defog - better & more expensive products for both needs available at any dive shop.
Yeah, my feelings about all gear. I started with a rental kit on resort dives in the Lesser Antilles and lucked out in my nativity - no problems, but at least I had my own snorkel gear then. It wasn't much, cheap stuff from a sporting goods store, but it fit and I knew how to use it - even tho I did not know about toothpaste and shampoo then. Spit worked but we have better ways.
I covered all this with my daughter's family in a snorkel class this winter, also suggesting they never use a snotty mask bucket on a boat to avoid exchanging fluids with others. :shocked2: I also suggested they get some thin, cheap, synthetic socks to wear with full foot fins and wore mine on that class. Neoprene socks can work but I only wear those when I expect my feet to get chilled, something that won't happen in Coz. Get some like Judy if you want to, there may be more benefit to that than I'm thinking, but most of us use neoprene booties with rubber soles and open heel fins I think.
Have you found local dive stores there? Safety devices I like to carry on every dive and your operator will not furnish: Safety Sausage, Mirror, Storm whistle, and LED Dive light.
judydivescoz
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Now, there is an example of why diving your own, fitted gear is always preferable, but then - also a good example of getting the dives done even if you have to use make-do gear.
I've heard of burning the film on new masks but prefer toothpaste, and baby shampoo works as a defog - better & more expensive products for both needs available at any dive shop.
Yeah, my feelings about all gear. I started with a rental kit on resort dives in the Lesser Antilles and lucked out in my nativity - no problems, but at least I had my own snorkel gear then. It wasn't much, cheap stuff from a sporting goods store, but it fit and I knew how to use it - even tho I did not know about toothpaste and shampoo then. Spit worked but we have better ways.
I also suggested they get some thin, cheap, synthetic socks to wear with full foot fins and wore mine on that class. Neoprene socks can work but I only wear those when I expect my feet to get chilled, something that won't happen in Coz. Get some like Judy if you want to, there may be more benefit to that than I'm thinking, but most of us use neoprene booties with rubber soles and open heel fins I think.
Have you found local dive stores there? Safety devices I like to carry on every dive and your operator will not furnish: Safety Sausage, Mirror, Storm whistle, and LED Dive light.
Don is so right that good fitting gear is the only way to go. You should find a way to buy a mask and fins.
My neoprene socks do not keep my feet any warmer than the booties one would wear with an open heeled fin. They are only 2mil and do a great job preventing blisters. This is what I wear: 2mm Neoprene Short Dive Socks discounts on sale Akona
There are cheaper alternatives. I have dove with a free lance dm who wears white over the calf socks with his full foot fins. Its hard to miss the guy or confuse him with any other diver in the water with these big high white socks.
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Ok, yeah - neoprene socks wouldn't be any warmer than neoprene booties, correct. I wear them with booties in cold water. Good plan if one wants to dive full foot fins. I have both and prefer booties I can use for walking on rocks in other locations with open heel fins I can hang on my wrists for ladder climbing, but both ideas work.
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I like full booties b/c it makes entering the water for shore dives, or exiting the water to a beach for the surface interval, less risky for my tender tootsies. I have heard of people barefoot stepping on sea urchins, small rays, and, of course, rocks on their way in and out.
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