Equipment purchase order assumptions

[sssss]

I just finished my OW class, and will make my certification dives next month. I have my basic snorkeling gear and some other equipment I need for the OW dives: wetsuit, gloves, whistle, knife, and a waterproof watch.

Although I'm not ready to purchase the rest of the scuba equipment yet, I'm curious/confused about whether I can buy it piece by piece while renting, or whether it's something that has to be matched together. In other words, can I buy just a BC and use that with a rented regulator, computer, etc.? The BC has to be connected to the first stage - is that a custom fitting? Would I be able to rent a first and second stage and match it to my BC? I assume I can't buy just a regulator without a first stage, and rent the first stage. Same with a pressure gauge, and so on. My assumption is that all this stuff has to match and be hooked up, so it's impossible (or very inconvenient and unlikely) to own some bits and rent the rest. Can you guys confirm this assumption, or let me know if I'm wrong please?

Also, another simpler question: I got my log book and was told it has waterproof pages. I was also told that if I don't use a pen with waterproof ink, that the ink will just smear if/when the pages get wet. I'm assuming any pen from the office supply store that claims to have waterproof ink will work. Am I right about that?

Thanks for your help!
Scott

 

[Garrobo]

First, don't get your logbook wet. No reason to take it on the boat. Fill it in later in a dry environment. The question about equipment compatability. I don't know if any particular shop would rent you a couple second stages for your first stage (or vice versa) but I suspect that they would. The ones I am familiar with will rent you a computer so why not a second or first stage. I would think that everything is negotiable. You can buy either a first or second stage individually or matched as your money comes in. You can rent a BC and use your gauges or rent gauges and rent a BC. They should all interchange. The BC is connected to the first stage by a hose with a fitting which is pretty much universal as far as I can tell although there may be some outlandish specialty connectors around. Don't worry about it. They will sell or rent whatever you need in most cases. If not, go somewhere else. Look on Ebay for your best buys either new or used. Always remember though, "Buyer beware".

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Short version -Yes. no. yes.

Details- Yes you can purchase items piece by piece to a point. Regulators are usually considered to have first stage, second stage, octo, lp hose and hp hose with pressure guage as one unit. I have never heard of coming in with a second stage and renting a first. You can buy anything you want a piece at a time. Getting a shop or operator to let you hook things up is where you'll run into problems. Most shops or ops will not want you mauling their setups to put a piece of your gear on. You can use your reg with a rental BC if the rental does not have an AIR II or some other integrated octo that requires a special connection. Or if you buy a BC with an AIR II and then use a rental reg. Better take your own LP hose as the rental lp probably will not work. All of this should have been covered in detail in the equipment section of your book or at the very least in class by the instructor.

As for your logbook it depends on the paper. I use sharpies. THey are waterproof and the extra fine ones are like writing with a pen as far as lines go. The key is to not get the book wet in the first place! Keep it in a dry bag or leave it at the car or hotel. Get a slate if you need to jot down details such as times, pressures, features etc. Then transfer them.

 

[sssss]

Thanks for the quick responses!

I'll do everything I can to keep my log book dry, I just figure that if I'm going to keep a pen with it, it might as well be a waterproof pen. The Sharpie is a good idea, I've used the extra fine ones for lots of stuff before. Thanks.

We covered the equipment in class, but we didn't cover what could be rented separately and what came as a set. I could/should have asked, I guess, but there was a lot of new information and experiences coming at me. We connected the regulator to the cylinder and the BC each night at the beginning of class and disconnected it at the end of class, but the first stage, second stage, pressure gauge/computer, and hoses were all sort of considered one unit. If I remember correctly, the book recommends a specialty class to learn how to assemble the regulator components. Though I may be remembering that wrong. We certainly didn't remove anything (except the cylinder) from the first stage.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

THat is all you'll cover. Assembling the components is not hard and does not require a class. Merely some experience and a patient person willing to show you how. Assembling your own reg is no big deal. When it becomes an issue is when you modify the SHOP'S RENTAL GEAR that is usually covered by some type of liability policy. Modify the gear and the coverage is probably voided so if it fails guess what, they are not going to be liable unless they allow you to modify it. If they allow this and then you put it back the way it was when you got it and then fails on the next person chances are it will be your fault in the eyes of the lawyers. Wanna be considered responsible for somone's death or injury? Save your money, buy a complete reg. Or buy a bc and rent a complete reg. Garrobo says you can rent comps, this is true. THese comps though are usually NOT integrated and don't need to be hooked up to anything else. I know of no shop that will rent gear piecemeal like seperate reg components.