Free/Snorkel soon to convert....

[treidm]

Freedive and snorkel, Oahu, Florida, California.
Soon to take up scuba.
Investigating equipment. Don't want to make too many multiple buys. Wish to purchase the right gear for the type of diving I want to do. Currently looking at Regulators and BCs.
Will need a new pair of fins, believe I will stay with SP Jets though, but will add spring heel. Have looked at the Mares Volo, I might consider them also.
Don't want to get them til I fit them with new boot though.
Will need new mask also, as I have always had seal problems due to mustache/beard.(Vasaline sucks!) But not a major problem when freediving or snorkeling.
Will be with scuba, so must get a perfect fit.
Think I will switch from a traditional snorkel to a pocket type.
Pretty much sounds like I'm starting from scratch, heh heh.
Still haven't decided what agency to get certified with.
Need to investigate more on that as well.
NAUI, PADI, SDI, SSI etc......Leaning towards NAUI or PADI
Plan to have all equipment except tank, by the end of this year. Will possibly get certified in summer, but don't like the aspect of using rental equipment.
I don't want to rush, I like to plan things carefully in life, and will do the same in regards to this undertaking. Expecially since it is involving my life.
I ask forgiveness and understanding, if I ask too many questions(Will try to read more than post). Please wish me wisdom in my choices.

 

[kidspot]

First off - welcome to the Board! Great to have another Hawaii diver around. You'll love SCUBA! I dive weekly on Maui and need to try Oahu when I visit next. There are lots of choices of gear for BC's and Regs, so I'm sure you'll get loads of advice.

The 3 primary BC choices (unless you get into the "vintage" dive scene ) are the Stabalizer Jacket, the Back inflate and it's close relative the Backplate and Wing. Since you expressed a desire of not wanting to do "multiple" buys I'd recommend trying out all 3 if possible (I'll be happy to let you try my Backplate and Wing if we happen to be on Oahu at the same time) I went the bp/wing route for the very reason you specified, so that no matter what type of diving I may do I do not have to buy another set of gear.

You'll also find many users who will recommend Jackets (the most common BC type you will likely train in and find in rental pools) and Back Inflate varieties (which "tend" to be more stable in the water) The Backplate is similar to the BI, with the added benefit of simplicity and an uncluttered chest area. A couple of searches here on the board will lead you to all kinds of threads (some get quite heated on this topic) touting the benefits of each type of BC.

I've been very happy with my SP Jets and you will find a lot of Jet Fin users here on the board -

Again, welcome to the Scubaboard and enjoy your time here.

Aloha, Tim

 

[radinator]

Welcome!! Any question you have, you can probably find a post about it in the archives, or just ask away and someone will steer you to an answer.

To respond to some of your statements...

I tried the Mares Volo, but I didn't like them much. They felt very light on the feet because of the way the fin bent I wasn't pushing any water. So compared to my (non-bending) Mares Avanti Quattro, it took many more kicks to get across the pool. The Quattros were harder to work, but when I did I actually went somewhere. That said, I'm considering getting Jet fins, but since I haven't tried them yet, the jury is still out.

For certification agencies, the choice of instructor make more of a difference than the agency you go through. Said another way, the instructor-to-instructor difference is larger than the agency-to-agency difference. Go with an instructor you can work with. You may have to "interview" a couple.

I recommend taking a bit of time and rent different kinds of equipment before you buy. You are used to masks and such, so my advice has more to do with things like BCDs and such.

Good luck!

 

[kidspot]

Hey Radinator, if/when you look for a pair of Jets you might find this helpful http://www.kidspot.org/personal/scubaboard/fincomparison.html

Aloha, Tim

 

[Lil' Irish Temper]

Welcome to ScubaBoard

 

[Matt the Aquaman]

Hi There treidm,
Welcome to Scuba Board –One of the most informative and dedicated boards on the net. You can meet a lot of helpful people here and it’s an awesome place to get answers to your questions regarding scuba diving. If you ever want to chat feel free to PM me. Take care and Safe Diving

-Matt- almtree::sunny

Click here to greet a new member! :happywave
No experience needed and it feels great!​

 

[murphdivers286]

Welcome to the board. Maybe I can give you some links to help you in your search.

Click here ---->[red]General Scuba Equipment Discussions[/red]

Click here ---->[red]BCs & Weight Systems[/red]

Click here ---->[red]Computers, Gauges, Watches, and Analyzers[/red]

Click here ---->[red]Regulators[/red]

I hope this helps you get started.

 

[DandyDon]

Howdy!

And welcome to SB - the biggest, the best, the fastest growing, and the friendliest! If you'll click ScubaBoard.com above, you'll be taken to our long list of forums, a wealth of information and resources. At the bottom, be sure to notice the Local & Singles Dive Club forums.

PM me if I can help you learn your way around; that is - click my username to the upper left, then follow the prompts to send me a "Personal Message."

don

 

[triton94949]

Freedive and snorkel, Oahu, Florida, California.
Soon to take up scuba.
Investigating equipment. Don't want to make too many multiple buys. Wish to purchase the right gear for the type of diving I want to do. Currently looking at Regulators and BCs.
Will need a new pair of fins, believe I will stay with SP Jets though, but will add spring heel. Have looked at the Mares Volo, I might consider them also.
Don't want to get them til I fit them with new boot though.
Will need new mask also, as I have always had seal problems due to mustache/beard.(Vasaline sucks!) But not a major problem when freediving or snorkeling.
Will be with scuba, so must get a perfect fit.
Think I will switch from a traditional snorkel to a pocket type.
Pretty much sounds like I'm starting from scratch, heh heh.
Still haven't decided what agency to get certified with.
Need to investigate more on that as well.
NAUI, PADI, SDI, SSI etc......Leaning towards NAUI or PADI
Plan to have all equipment except tank, by the end of this year. Will possibly get certified in summer, but don't like the aspect of using rental equipment.
I don't want to rush, I like to plan things carefully in life, and will do the same in regards to this undertaking. Expecially since it is involving my life.
I ask forgiveness and understanding, if I ask too many questions(Will try to read more than post). Please wish me wisdom in my choices.

You are going to find snorkeling very similar to scuba. You clear a regulator the same way that you clear a snorkel. You are supposed to breathe continuously on scuba the same way that you breathe on a snorkel. Holding your breath on scuba can be fatal, therefore this is a freediving habit that you will need to break.

You can use your freediving fins for scuba as well. Normally scuba fins are quite a bit smaller than freediving fins however. Some scuba divers like to kick underwater and travel around a reef, and in that case larger fins work best. Others perfer to hover, and either stay mostly in one place or to glide with the current, in which case smaller fins work quite well. Your ScubaPro jets are more appropriate for the latter type of diving.

Some scuba divers use a snorkel for the surface portion of their diving, whereas others have gotten rid of their snorkel, or carry one in a pocket or pouch. Most instructors will require you to have a regular snorkel, because the teaching standards will require you to demonstrate certain snorkel skills. After you are certified, then you can decide for yourself about a snorkel.

You mentioned NAUI and PADI in the same breath. These 2 organizations are as different as day and night from each other. You also have YMCA Scuba and SSI available to you, which are also worth your consideration. There is also ANDI and TDI-SDI, if you can find them in your area. Someone above said that the instructor is more important than the agency. That is in fact true, and also because many instructors have experience with several agencies. It would be better to try to meet the instructor in person before you sign up. Individual personality is an important consideration as well.

As for regulators, you will be very smart to rent, before you buy. The cheaper ones will work fine down to about 50 ft, but not much more. The expensive ones will work much deeper than you would ever go, and they feel much better to breathe through at any depth, but by definition they cost more, sometimes double.

Rental equipment works fine for awhile, as long as it is the proper fit. Equipment that is too small is especially miserable. It helps to rent as much as possible before you succomb to the temptation and the pressure to buy anything.

Have fun!

 

[treidm]

Thanks to all for the warm greetings, and expecailly to triton94949, for his observations and advice.