How should I go from here?

[00MustangGT]

Hi,
This is my first post.
I got certified as a NAUI diver 6 years ago (I'm 21 now). I just took a refresher course (haven't dove since certification) because I am going to Hawaii this summer and I will do three dives there. I decided to take the Advanced Open Water course through PADI (I will do this before I leave as well). I also have the opportunity to get nitrox certified before I go too. (3 hr class + 1 extra dive because one of the advanced is nitrox anyway) I am really planning to get into diving and maybe go on some of the wreck dives they do. Right now I only have the personal gear, but if I do get into it I would consider buying a reg, BCD, wetsuit, and computer. My two questions are: should I bother to go ahead and get the nitrox cert or wait? and if I only go diving say 2 or 3 times a year is it ever worth buying the extra equipment? Thanks in advance.

Also, any mask recommendations? My old mask doesn't fit so I need a new one.

 

[mempilot]

Q1: Nitrox is an easy cert and you will benefit from it on your dives. There's no harm in getting this cert right away. You'll increase your bottom time, decrease your N2 ongassing, and reduce your exposure to narcosis. It is good to hear you are going to get some additional training (AOW) before you go, since you've been on break for quite some time.

Q2: Sounds like you have the mask, fins snorkel already. I'd rent or borrow different pieces of equip until you find what you like. Everyone ends up diving different equip after their first purchase. It takes time to figure out what is best for you, so don't be too quick to spend your hard earned money. If you do, try buying some good used equip first to see if like it.

I spent a lot of money on my first gear setup, and ended up selling a lot of it on eBay until I found what I really liked/needed.

 

[NINman]

To be honest and this is just my opinion only. It sounds as though the only dives you have so far are the ones that you used for your Open Water Checkout. Doing to AOW now isn't a bad idea though having more dives under your belt would help. As for Nitrox, I myself am not cert but if you are going to dive so in-frequently I would not spend my money on that quite yet. I would work on getting more dives under your belt.

Equipment, again this is up to you. With as much as you’re going to be diving I would wait on most of your equipment. I would get a shortly or skin, I personal would not like renting that. As for the mask, it is best to get to your LDS and start trying them on. I have a generic mask, nothing special and the only reason why I got it, is because of the way if fit.

I hope I helped. Enjoy your diving.

 

[NINman]

Q1: Nitrox is an easy cert and you will benefit from it on your dives. There's no harm in getting this cert right away. You'll increase your bottom time, decrease your N2 ongassing, and reduce your exposure to narcosis. It is good to hear you are going to get some additional training (AOW) before you go, since you've been on break for quite some time.

Ok I am slow at posting. He would know more about this then I would, so please take his advice over mine.

No matter, just have fun and dive safe.

 

[mempilot]

In the end, equipment has a couple of things to consider.

1. performance -- based on the type of diving you plan to do
2. preference -- what works best for you

Both are important and both take time and experience to nail down. You can 10 people what is best and you'll get 2-3 different answers. Those 2-3 answers will be good ones, so then it comes down to preference. Try some stuff out, cruise the board here doing some searches on various equip keywords, and ask for advise. Be advised, the third part of the above sentence will spark some good, some bad, and some ugly.

 

[00MustangGT]

Thanks for the tips. I guess I will just go ahead and buy the mask that fits best and feels best. As far as equipment I guess I will hold off too (though I'll be doing 8 dives in 3 weeks total). I did sign up for the AOW and nitrox though. I figure it will help me get reacclimated better than just in a pool, double my number of dives, and give me some good and experience as well as more options.