equip needed for course scuba vs pool "?"

[PepsiTwist]

I know this may sound ignorant but is there a difference between scuba masks, fins, and snorkels and the pool ones? It doesn't make much sense to me seeing as how they look exactly alike and yet their cost is so different. Just asking, forgive me if I'm ignorant, I'm only trying to learn.

Edit to add: Oh, I hadn't realized I had the thumbs down symbol!! Sorry! Is there a way I can change that???

 

[Hemlon]

I'm not sure that I understand. Are the "pool ones" packaged together at variety stores for use in swimming pools?

If so, these are poor quality and inadequate for scuba diving.

I know that gear is expensive, but you don't havr to buy it all at once.

Most LDS (local dive shop) will require you have your own personal gear (fins, mask, snorkel) in order to begin your OW (open water) class but you can always rent the rest of it.

It's not a stupid question. We were all beginners at one time too!

 

[ekremer]

Its not a bad question, I had the exact same question when I started. The answers I was told then are when you are scuba diving you have a heck of a lot of weight on your back for your average pool/snorkel fin and they may be enough to get you thru OW but most likely not.

Additionally, it was explaned to me the lenses on cheaper snorkel and pool masks are not up to the task when dealing with the depths scubadiving deals with, also many snorkel masks are of a higher volume then dive masks.

I hope that helps and im sure anything I got wrong somebody will come and correct.

 

[boulderjohn]

A cheap mask such as you get in a department store will be just fine for messing around in a pool, but if you are underwater for 50 minutes constantly battling leaking and lack of comfort, you will gladly pay the difference for a quality mask as soon as you reach the surface.

Cheap masks also have a very short life span. Those masks fall apart in no time. In contrast, I have no idea how many dives I have on my primary mask now. Counting the times I wear it while instructing in a pool, it has to be in the thousands. I have replaced the strap several times, but the mask is just fine.

A previous poster correctly noted that cheap fins do not have the "firepower" you need for scuba. Add to that the fact that they fall apart after a few uses, and you wonder how you are saving money.

I have seen many students come to class with department store equipment. They think they have saved money. Once they realize they really need to replace it, the false exonomics hits home.

 

[jbd]

There can be differences. Often times though there is not. Much depends on where the item is sold or marketed. While scuba gear can often be expensive it doesn't need to be outrageously expensive.

The way to keep from spending more than is necessary is to avoid going for all the bells and whistles. Stay away from all the marketing hype about this feature and that feature and the other feature. For example lets look at snorkels. What you need is a simple J-tube snorkel. What most dive shops will try to sell you is a dry snorkel. The J-tube can be had for a small amount of money i.e $10 to $20. The dry snorkels can be as high as around $80. The reality is most scuba divers never use their snorkel past the OW course.

Much the same can be said for masks. Some masks are well over $200. A mask that will work well can be as low as $35 to $50. Same for fins, bells and whistles combined with marketing hype will drive up the price for no real reason. A basic, simple paddle fin will work just fine in most all cases. I paid $60 for my fins and have been using them for 13 years. I get everywhere I want to go with them.

Shop wisely and buying scuba gear need not break the bank.

 

[paradicio]

Sage advice from jbd.

When the wife and I were taking our OW course our instructor was VERY honest with us about gear. He took us to the showroom in the shop he teaches out of and gave us the run down on just about everything ("see these super expensive mask and fins? you don't need those...").

Talk to your instructor. If you have concerns, want to try something out, or just don't have the funds yet...some instructors have extra gear they can loan you to get you through the class. Find out if yours does. Our instructor has volunteered his gear up to us to try out many times, and we very much appreciate it. One of the many reasons we seek him out exclusively when signing up for classes.

 

[dittohead]

I bought my daughter some cheap US diver fins for our Hawaii trip, and regret it greatly. She almost cut her toe off when the fin broke during a snorkel and she got her toe stuck about a hundred yards out. i was able to cut her loose, but I will never buy a 40 dollar snorkel set again. Just my opinion, but on the personals, spend a few extra bucks. you don't have to go crazy, but cerainly stay away from walmart, costco, etc. Go to your LDS and ask hem,they are not likely to sell you something that could hurt you. Also, always carry a knife and scissors, no matter what!

 

[Shawley]

I dont have a whole lot of expierience but i would say buy nice fins, mask, snorkel, it will pay offf later it nice to have good stuff. beside its a higher quality

 

[PepsiTwist]

Thanks everyone! Oh, and thank you to whomever changed my thumbs down to a question mark!!!

 

[SNorman]

There can be differences. Often times though there is not. Much depends on where the item is sold or marketed. While scuba gear can often be expensive it doesn't need to be outrageously expensive.

The way to keep from spending more than is necessary is to avoid going for all the bells and whistles. Stay away from all the marketing hype about this feature and that feature and the other feature. For example lets look at snorkels. What you need is a simple J-tube snorkel. What most dive shops will try to sell you is a dry snorkel. The J-tube can be had for a small amount of money i.e $10 to $20. The dry snorkels can be as high as around $80. The reality is most scuba divers never use their snorkel past the OW course.

Much the same can be said for masks. Some masks are well over $200. A mask that will work well can be as low as $35 to $50. Same for fins, bells and whistles combined with marketing hype will drive up the price for no real reason. A basic, simple paddle fin will work just fine in most all cases. I paid $60 for my fins and have been using them for 13 years. I get everywhere I want to go with them.

Shop wisely and buying scuba gear need not break the bank.

I use my snorkel at the surface when I need to look at/adjust gear underwater, look down at where we're going, look at a buddy's equipment if they want me to check a snap or buckle or something, and sometimes while surface swimming to save air. I'll also use the same snorkel for snorkeling/freediving. So, I like having one and I'm glad I bought one that I like