did i forget anything?

[Big Jay]

Hey, i hate to be a newbie but i just acquired a ton of equipment and wanted to run it past you guys/gals to see if i have everything i need to start my diving. Most of my diving will be taking place off NJ @ some wrecks. My personal limit for now is no deeper than 100' and i am most likely going to stay around 70-80'

So far i have:

Mask, Fins, snorkel, knife
Reg = Zeagle Tech 50D
Octo = Sherwood
BCD = Zeagle Scout (35 lb lift) *think this is enough?*
Console = Beuchat with Aladin Pro (gets the job done)
Bare CD4 Drysuit
Hood, gloves
I have a 7mm wetsuit as well

My only concerns are the BCD. Its only 35 lbs. of lift (bought it used for $120). Is this going to be enough? I only plan on diving single cylinder, i would get a better BCD for doubles.

I still need some drysuit underwear and to test out the drysuit in the pool for leaks (its used).

I own some weight, about 30 lbs. I do not own a cylinder yet. I won't be doing my first dive for another 2-3 weeks. Is everything here on point? Anything not up to spec for the diving i want to do?

Sorry to ask newbie ?'s. Kinda new to this.

 

[dbulmer]

How about a torch and DSMB? Undersuit for your drysuit, wicking thermals for underneath your drysuit? A mesh bag?

 

[FreeFloat]

Quick question:

Hey, i hate to be a newbie ... start my diving ... My personal limit for now is no deeper than 100' and i am most likely going to stay around 70-80' ... I won't be doing my first dive for another 2-3 weeks ...

From these statements, can I take it you've never dived before?

Have you taken a certification course?

Also, you should be aware that a newly certified diver has a recommended depth of only 60' until they establish a bit of experience, and/or take an Advanced Open Water course.

Most diving courses supply all the equipment you'll need during the course except mask, fins and snorkel.

Drysuit is something that IMO you shouldn't be trying to use until you've got your basic diving skills figured out. Walk before you run....... people dive in 32°F water and all winter, including Ice Diving (under ice) perfectly well in 7mm wetsuits, so perhaps you shouldn't rush into the drysuit. Besides, with drysuits fit is absolutely critical to its function, and if this suit is second-hand to you, you'd benefit from having an instructor/DM, or at least a more experienced drysuit diver, look it over for you and perhaps take you for a dive in it.

 

[Charlie99]

You need to get basic safety gear. A search should bring up quite a few threads on this subject.

In addition to your knife, I would add a pair of shears.
A light is useful not only for looking into dark areas underwater, but also is a good tool for signalling on the surface.

Other basic safety gear:
surface signaling sausage
mirror
whistle
slate or waterproof notebook for underwater communication

Consider also adding:
DiveAlert
a spool so that you can send up the signal sausage while still submerged

-----------------------------

Your most valuable and useful aquisition would be a MENTOR!

Some divers with experience diving in your local sites and conditions can make the learning curve much, much easier.

 

[WellBelowH2O]

Here's a list of everything that typically will go with me on a dive (I dive off the Jersey coast as well). This is from my checklist:

Gear Bag
- Towel
- Change of Clothes
- Hat
- Contacts/Glasses
- Mask / Defogger
- Booties
- Fins
- Save-a-Dive kit
- Wetsuit
- Hood
- Gloves
- Dive Knife
- Weight Pockets (I dive integrated)
Regulator Bag
- Dive Tool
- Oxygen Analyzer (usually for others to use since my tanks are analyzed already)
- Primary Regulator
- Pony Regulator (many NJ boats require a true alternate air supply (pony) vs. octo
- Computer (Batteries)
- Tables (Air/Nitrox)
- EAD Wheel
- Log Book / Pen (sealed in plastic)
BC
- Signal Mirror
- Dive Slate
- BC Knife
- Safety Sausage
- Backup Light (Batteries)
- Strobe Light (Batteries)
- Snorkel
- Whistle
- Pony Holder
Plastic Bags (for wet stuff)
Weight Bag
- Weight Pockets (if not already in BC)
- Weights (may bring a couple extra pounds, normally for others)
- Weight belt if not going integrated
Tanks
Pony Tank / Holder (again, many boats require this)
Dive Light (Batteries)
Tank Light (Batteries) (if doing a night dive)
Wreck Reel (many boats require this)
Jersey Reel / Lift Bag (only occassionally bring)
Windbreaker (if it is cool out)
Sun Screen
Bonine / Transderm Scop (should be pre-medicated)
Excedrin
Sunglasses
Wallet
- DAN Card
- Insurance Card
- C-Card
Watch
Cash (have to tip the mates)
Cell Phone

 

[Big Jay]

Hey, i should have been more clear. I have logged around 10 dives so far as deep as 90' in dutch springs.

I am open water certified as well as rescue/advanced.

I am going to dive the 7mm wetsuit for the first couple dives as i still need drysuit undies and to take a drysuit course.

My main concerns is that the BC can handle the type of diving i wish to do.

In addition, thanks for the lists. I am going to go through them to make sure i have everything.

 

[Charlie99]

I have logged around 10 dives so far as deep as 90' in dutch springs. I am open water certified as well as rescue/advanced.

My main concerns is that the BC can handle the type of diving i wish to do.

The 35 pound lift BC can handle NJ wreck diving. It's not clear that YOU are ready for it.

Be sure that both the Captain and your buddies are aware of your experience level and if you are on a boat that does one deep wreck followed by a shallower dive, you might even consider sitting out the first dive for the first couple trips at least.

 

[FreeFloat]

LOL

Sorry about that, Big Jay. It wasn't clear in your initial post (to me at least) and if you had been a basic OW diver asking about all that gear, it would have been kinda putting the cart before the horse...... which is how I took it when I responded. Adding a little to your profile would probably help.

For the drysuit, if you can determine whether or not it leaks, I'd definitely recommend investing your next BIG amount of money in the best undersuit you can get. Not necessarily the most expensive, but the best fit and function. After all the drysuit itself is merely a bag to keep the water off - the undersuit does all the insulating work.

As for the BC, 35 pounds of lift is plenty unless you're diving doubles or carrying an excess of extra stuff with you, such as more than one stage (which I don't see as likely given your preferences or experience)

 

[Big Jay]

Excellent. Thanks a ton for the replies.

Ok so on the immediate shopping list:

Safety Sausage
(Have a whistle already)
Diver Slate
Light
Safety strobe
Wreck Reel (good thing to have i am told)
Dive Tool
Bug/Game Bag

Future Shopping list:

Drysuit Undergarments (gonna dive the wetsuit initially)

I checked with the boat, they don't require a pony bottle.

Going to rent the tank.

 

[Paco]

Here's a list of everything that typically will go with me on a dive (I dive off the Jersey coast as well). This is from my checklist:

Gear Bag
- Towel
- Change of Clothes
- Hat
- Contacts/Glasses
- Mask / Defogger
- Booties
- Fins
- Save-a-Dive kit
- Wetsuit
- Hood
- Gloves
- Dive Knife
- Weight Pockets (I dive integrated)
Regulator Bag
- Dive Tool
- Oxygen Analyzer (usually for others to use since my tanks are analyzed already)
- Primary Regulator
- Pony Regulator (many NJ boats require a true alternate air supply (pony) vs. octo
- Computer (Batteries)
- Tables (Air/Nitrox)
- EAD Wheel
- Log Book / Pen (sealed in plastic)
BC
- Signal Mirror
- Dive Slate
- BC Knife
- Safety Sausage
- Backup Light (Batteries)
- Strobe Light (Batteries)
- Snorkel
- Whistle
- Pony Holder
Plastic Bags (for wet stuff)
Weight Bag
- Weight Pockets (if not already in BC)
- Weights (may bring a couple extra pounds, normally for others)
- Weight belt if not going integrated
Tanks
Pony Tank / Holder (again, many boats require this)
Dive Light (Batteries)
Tank Light (Batteries) (if doing a night dive)
Wreck Reel (many boats require this)
Jersey Reel / Lift Bag (only occassionally bring)
Windbreaker (if it is cool out)
Sun Screen
Bonine / Transderm Scop (should be pre-medicated)
Excedrin
Sunglasses
Wallet
- DAN Card
- Insurance Card
- C-Card
Watch
Cash (have to tip the mates)
Cell Phone

This is an excellent, inclusive list. I would add a first aid kit, save-a-dive kit and perhaps a pair of binoculars (for searching for that missing diver).