- I agree; learning a computer is important. Renting one that is a mystery to you is common, and unwise.
yeah, this one is weird. I come from a time when we were taught analog and tables. Computers were for those try-hard above and beyond divers.
Today, they were told in the class to just look at the computer for ascent rate and to look at the computer for time/deco info....but they were never told where those indications even were on teh screens of those rental computers! For the whole class they were going through the motions of looking at this thing on their wrists but had no idea what any of the numbers and symbols were.
Later with the Nitrox part of the class they were taught how to change the mix, but still weren't taught how to use the thing otherwise
Yeah, things like ascent alerts are fairly simple and obvious, but still.... seems like a big black hole in modern training!
Then when we went diving in the keys, the rental gear didn't even include computers. Dives were so shallow that it didn't really matter, but still
Regardless, it's not lost on me the importance of the computer...especially for divers that do not have any understanding of NDL and planning. They need to learn where to look on the screen, which button to push, etc...
- Many think a reg set is the next purchase; if it is yours, you know its history, condition, and quirks.
That probably would have always been my answer. The amount of headaches I've seen folks have from free flows, leaks, etc. is crazy and easily preventable by having your own.... then there's the whole "critical life support equipment" thing too
but now I'm questioning that...just because the first bunch of dives are shallow and relatively easy...and rentals are cheap....and it's one less thing the new divers need to worry with.
- Exposure suits are high on the list, particularly if anybody is oddly shaped/sized.
I'd say THAT, + the fact that not every dive needs it...or needs the same type/thickness of suit
- BCDs ae easily rentable, fairly robust, and all work pretty much the same. Not much to learn/get used to. The are also a pain to travel with...heavy and bulky.
all great points. I've been considering this more and more to be the higher priority thing though, and here's why.
lll fitting anything...clothing when not diving even can really make a person miserable, like a pair of underwear that wants to ride up into a wedgie when you walk. With a BC there's more to it even than just the ill-fitting annoyance
My daughters are both small for their age and they've had trouble getting BC's that actually fit.
For my wife, well, she's shaped differently than me and so far what we've seen for rentals are either men's fit or generic fit. She hasn't really complained about it but just looks squeezed and uncomfortable! Also, there's a difference between BC's regarding how they float... back inflate tends to put you face down in the water...weight placement affects trim...learning where the attachment points are for your octo, your lights and accesories...etc...
It's starting to seem to me that aside from a properly fitting mask, this is in some ways the most "personal" part of the kit that a diver can dial in and customize for their needs and preferences. Important to get something that fits well, that is comfortable, and you can get used to...
If they're still growing a lot, you might only get 1 season out of the wetsuit.
yeah...and that for sure!
