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Sorry, but I don't agree with this path at all. It takes TIME and EXPERIENCE to become a good DM, let alone a good Instructor. Please think about the journey, not the destination.

I don't know if the OP has gotten the answer they're looking for as yet, but I'm a big DUI fan. Mine is probably 12 years old & still going strong. FWIW,

One thing: make sure your tank straps are wet/damp before you tighten them down. Straps stretch a bit when they get wet.

Both my husband & I have prescription bifocals through Seavision. This is probably the 2nd masks we both have through them; we only changed because (eventually) we wanted clear skirts instead of black. They put out a good product that is optically correct for underwater use. We are big fans. :D

Please re-read my post about purchasing used rental gear from a shop. This comes from about 20 years as an IDC Staff Instructor working with various shops in Canada & the US. A shop that rents gear is going to service it. They can't make any money doing that if the equipment is not taken care...

If you are fairly new to the dive world, stay away from eBay or similar. You don't know what you don't know and it could not only be costly, but dangerous. Believe it or not, many shops sell off their rental equipment every couple of years. They get such amazing pricing from the mfgs to bring...

I would tend to agree that the Sherwood & the USD are the better choices from an availablity POV. I would also agree that neither of them are good breathers. I started out with a Brut back in the 90's and when I got a balanced reg it was like night & day. Go for something that is balanced NOW...

How many dives do you anticipate doing per day? And what do you consider "cold"? I've used my full length 3mm all over the world. Because we all know that at 60' the water's not always as toasty as it is at the surface, even in tropical climes. There's also the issue of jellyfish stings or...

You're not going to like to read this, but: go for a drysuit. A "semi dry" is like being "a little bit pregnant". Either you're dry, or you're not. There are many shell suits that are just fine for FL diving: I use my DUI 350TLS in the Gulf or various Springs in the Winter. Plus I've used it...

The portions I highlighted in red are the parts of your posts that I really set off my alarm bells. 1) I don't want to sound condescending, but if you think working illegally in a foreign country is your ticket to becoming a dive pro, you are very much mistaken. You will have no rights and no...

As I said in the other thread you started on this topic, you need to slow down. Don't buy gear until you are certified and know what the equipment is, how it should function, and whether or not you'll be diving enough to justify buying it vs renting it. Don't get caught up in the "Gear Game".

The more I read this thread, the more I'm convinced that you (WarriorWolf) need to slow down. Once you've been through the course & USE some gear as well as see the different types that are out there (your Instructor, other divers) THEN you can start to think about exactly what type of diving...

One word regarding Toby: DRYSUIT. I now take you back to your regularly schedule thread, already in progress. ;)

We did the seven-day Spirit of Freedom Coral Sea trip in May 2006. The trip was calm & uneventful, but YMMV. ;) Since the vessel steel hulled and 122' long, x 24' wide, she is very stable in the water. You won't really be experiencing a lot of rock n roll at anchor or under weigh...

Please don't think I'm being condescending when I say you can dive with a period and there there is no need to "reschedule" anything. I'm sure you know there are other methods of flow control other than using a pad.

IMHO if you are working that hard on getting a drysuit on, it's too snug. A drysuit should not fit as tightly as a wetsuit. In fact, it would be counter-productive because how else would you be able to put some decent undergarments on underneath? My first drysuit was a 5mm Wardell -- yes, this...

The only gear I would "own" at your stage of diving would be my mask, snorkel, booties, and fins. RENT everything else until you see how much diving you'll be doing.

I agree. For years I had the same problem. Recently, when I switched to a backplate & wings, I realized that the pressure from the traditional jacket BC cumberbund across my stomach & diaphram was the source of my issue. Apparently, I had G.E.R.D (commonly referred to as Acid Reflux) and didn't...

I don't mean to sound skeptical, but I have worn other, less hard soled booties to Bonaire and they were torn to shreds. Not to mention the state the iron shore can can leave your feet when the soles get chewed through. So I can't see how "5 finger shoes from REI" would stand a chance.

I've been using a version of these for many years, esp in Bonaire: Tusa