A few Question

[guardian00002]

I've been reading throught the forums the last few days and seen that there is a lot of great information on here for people new to diving. I'm new and haven't done anything yet but I'am about to learn soon I'm in HInesville, GA stationed at Ft Stewart and don't realy know anything about diving. the questions that I have are.

1. How do you determine on a mask, snorkel, and fins? What is considered a good set and what is a good price for your first set?

2. I'm funny about wearing things that other people have so I plan on buying my own wet suit any recommendations on that. I.E. what do you wear under you suit how do you know it fits?

3. Does anyone know a good place to get certified near the Savannah, GA area?

4. Overall just any Information You think I would find useful.

I just want to thank all of you in advance for picking some of the knowledge from your brain.

 

[DeputyDan]

Purchase a mask based on best fit - not price - there are good $50 masks and good $200 masks.

I would not recommend full foot fins. I would purchase hard sole dive boots and strap on fins. The cost will be more but you will be able to use the fins in much more varied environments.

Also, purchase a high visibility color such as yellow or neon green. The reason being - if you drop something getting on a dive boat the chances are better of seeing it at the bottom as opposed to a black or blue fin, snorkel, mask that is probably gone forever.

You need to go to the local geographic area to ask about certification in Georgia.

The overall cost of becoming OW certified will be $500 give or take - this includes the snorkel fins and mask, pool time, the books, instructor time, the cost of the card and OW dives.

For wet suits - the first question is - where are you going to dive - the second question is - what type of exposure do I need to dive there. Everyone has their preferences on wet suits - I perfer a one piece Henderson hyperstretch suit. However, I must warn you - they are probably $100 or so more expensive that a regular suit and have a shorter life span. BUT HEY - LIFE IS ABOUT CHOICES.

 

[PerroneFord]

My first recommendation is that you spend 2-3 months learning about DIVING. Then start worrying about all the other. I have a friend in Hinesville... I should come dive up that way sometime.

OK.

1. Mask, all about fit. If you need a prescription, get one with two seperate pieces of glass. Notice I said GLASS and not plastic. Fins, lots of choices. From super-spiffy and super expensive split fins, to your basic rubber fins. Lots of people wear basic rubber fins because they tend to do some things most other fins cant. Split fins are easier on the legs if you flutter kick. Snorkel, I haven't used one since class for diving, so just get something cheap.

2. I wear Underarmour under my wetsuit. Works great. Wetsuit should be snug, but you should be able to bend your knees fully, bend your elbows fully, and shouldn't have huge gaps under the arms and in the crotch. Any place water can collect, is a potential cold spot.

3. If you want a good instructor, you might have to travel. Get ready for that. May be a terrific instructor nearby, but don't bet on it.

4. You'll get a ton of that by spending time on ScubaBoard. Just read as much as you can each day.

 

[cleung]

For the mask, it will be a matter of fit first of all. Not every mask fits every face. You have to try them out in the store. If you inhale with a mask on, it should not fall off your face. If it does, it is not a good fit. The fins and snorkel depends on how much you want to spend. Mid priced items are okay for your level.

For the wetsuit, you have to try some on. If you have a body that is hard to fit off the rack, you can get a custom made one. The sales people should be able to tell if you fit off the rack or not.

 

[sandjeep]

#3 just a suggestion, post any local questions you have in the Deep Dixie forum on this board. There are some folks there that dive in your area and can point you to a good instructor or local dive shop.

#2 I wear a pair of the gray spandex under my wetsuit that the Army issued once upon a time. My wetsuit is a Henderson 3 mil which is good for summer here in SC. In the early spring and fall, I put on another 3mil shorty on top of that. Sometimes I wear a hood, but never a beanie.

Welcome!! to the last addiction you'll ever want.