Cheers! New to diving, an introduction.

[sarita75]

I have been told that lining your gloves by wearing a pair of latex medical gloves can help. I haven't tried it before. For your feet, wear a pair of scuba sock-thingies. I don't have too much of an issue with the cold during anytime but winter - but that's just me. I know that, when you do get cold, it makes diving miserable.

We will definitely have to do something in December before the Holiday season gets too mad. My November is pretty booked between a dive and a 3-day charter that Mark and I are doing.

 

[ocean chemist it]

Thanks, all. I will be looking into regs after last nights faulty rental gear!

So, things I need to buy and could use advice on are:
-Reg setups (w/SPG & Depth gauge apparently)
-lights
-knife

And, I still need to figure out how loose hoods should be in the neck, and whether I need to get a custom one (have other women had this experience?)

Sarita,
what boot thingies are you speaking about? I have the hard-sole boots, is there something you put on first? I'll def ask my instructor on the latex, too!

Yay, I would love a winter dive if I turn out not to be too wimpy! December would be great (although I don't get back from Florida until the 26th, anyone wanna go dive there? )

Thanks again for everything!
Angela

 

[sarita75]

Sarita, what boot thingies are you speaking about? I have the hard-sole boots, is there something you put on first?

Try this link: http://nrsweb.resultspage.com/boating/Neoprene Socks

They are just another layer of insulation for your feet. Feet and hands tend to get the coldest (at least for most) so having another little layer can help out a bit.

As for the hood issue - I don't have much of a problem with my hood being too big in the neck. The problem that i have is that it is a bit too big in the head. Sounds weird, I know, but around the crown of the head it is a little large. Drives me nuts sometimes.

 

[micboucher]

Welcome Angela (from another NorCal woman diver with the addiction)! I'm sure you'll love diving this area once you get used to the cold. I got my OW and AOW certifications in Hawaii but didn't have any problem getting used to the gear and cold once I dove a few times in Monterey. There are so many amazing dive spots and great people! Thanks to Sarita, I'm going to get a chance to meet some more of the people from here soon too.

I can't give advice on much of the gear because I have a dive shop I really trust and just went with what they recommended. I dive with 5mm gloves and the neoprene socks in my boots too and don't get cold very often. Usually it's just my hands and that's only when I'm hovering taking photos for long periods.

Hope to meet and go diving with you sometime.

Happy diving,

 

[alphonsis]

Thanks, all. I will be looking into regs after last nights faulty rental gear!

So, things I need to buy and could use advice on are:
-Reg setups (w/SPG & Depth gauge apparently)
-lights
-knife

And, I still need to figure out how loose hoods should be in the neck, and whether I need to get a custom one (have other women had this experience?)

The fit around the neck shouldn't be much of an issue. Just make sure it doesn't put too much pressure on your carotid. Don't want to end up looking like batman.

As for the knife, I decided to skip the knife and just got some EMT/Medical Shears. You can pick them up locally at Johnston's Medical Supplies on Adeline. The only differences are that they won't come with a fancy sheath, and you can cut yourself free with one hand.

As for regs, you may want to visit the regulator portion of the equipment board. There's too much to be said about that.