Howdy from down south

[OkieDivers]

My husband and I are recently o/w certified and are very excited. Our first dive was a resort dive in Maui, Hawaii. We were hooked instantly. Glad to now be certified and looking forward to our first real dive destination - Grand Cayman. We are also looking to purchase gear, so any recommendations for good quality gear for newbies would be greatly appreciated. We plan to dive mostly warm water destinations.

October cannot get here fast enough! :yl2jump:

 

[DandyDon]

Howdy!

Welcome to SB!! :happywave Put us in your computer's favorites and check in often. This is a great place to learn, compare, argue Look around our various forums - everything from New-To-Scuba to Instructors-Only to Dive Medicine.

don

BTW - Did you set up your Profile? Some ideas for your Profle might be taken from looking at mine. Click on my Username to the upper left, then click on my Profile, and see what I've done. For your's, click the [CP] in the upper left of the screen, then click [Edit Profile]. If you need any more help, PM me direct.

 

[headhunter]

Welcome to ScubaBoard and congrats on your new certifications!

I'm sure there is plenty of diving that you can do between now and October somewhere near your local area. If you do that, you'll enjoy your dives to exotic destinations even more because of your better developed dive skills.

Search through the equipment forums here on SB and you'll see that there are many considerations when it comes to gear choices. People will make different recommendations depending on their point of view.

I recommend that you read through these equipment forums and then clarify different points by posting your questions. This will help keep you from buying equipment and later wishing that you had bought something a bit different. There is a wealth of knowledge here on the board that should help you avoid buyer's remorse.

You may want to research a backplate and wing (BP/W) setup, because that will be a recurring suggestion to you here on the board. This is a bit different than diving with a vest. Once you decide between vest and BP/W, you may find that your other gear choices will start to fall into place.

Enjoy your diving!

Christian

 

[nauifins73]

Where in OK? NW Arkansas has good diving for this area - Beaver Lake. You will love Grand Cayman. Where are you staying? I have been there 4 times and would go back in a heartbeat. Of all the places I have been in the Caribbean it is my favorite.

Becky

 

[GrierHPharmD]

Best wishes and safe ascents. Welcome to the board,
Grier

 

[OkieDivers]

Where in OK? NW Arkansas has good diving for this area - Beaver Lake. You will love Grand Cayman. Where are you staying? I have been there 4 times and would go back in a heartbeat. Of all the places I have been in the Caribbean it is my favorite.

Becky

We're in Roland, OK, just outside of Fort Smith, AR, so Beaver Lake is not too far. Thanks for the info. We will be staying at the Cobalt Coast Resort in GC and diving with Dive Tech. Are you familiar with them at all?

Jennifer

 

[OkieDivers]

Hey headhunter

Thanks for the advice. I think I have been so excited about the trip that I had not even considered how useful the extra practice could be. I am definately going to take your advice and take advantage of every opportunity we can between now and then to improve our skills.

Thanks Again!

 

[nauifins73]

I have not been to Cobalt "yet". We were at Sea Space last year and saw their booth and talked with them - we were both impressed with what we heard. I'm trying to talk hubby into a long weekend (at least) there this Fall. I'm anxious to hear what you think when you get back.

If you get a chance go to Richard's Black Coral shop right across from the port in Georgetown. I know black coral!!! but the stuff is absolutely beautiful. Also if you get a chance I would recomend 2 dives - Sting Ray City is one of my favorites. It is only a 12 foot dive but the interaction with the rays is a neat experience. And Eden Rock which is just a little ways out of Georgetown to the south & east (I think). The turtle farm is cool and there is diving there (but I haven't done it yet) and you might want to send some post cards from Hell. A little place on the Island. I think Cobalt is a ways out so you might need to rent a car for some sightseeing.

Have a great time and I know how long it will be before Oct gets here - time creeps when you are waiting for a dive trip!
Becky

 

[murphdivers286]

Welcome Aboard!!!

It's addictive, but who cares?!?!?

Good friends and good info. What could be better???

P.S. - If you have not already done so, please fill out your profile.

You will get plenty of people telling you which equipment they think is the best. Just take you time and do plenty of research before you buy. One piece of equipment might be good for one person, and terrible for another.

 

[OkieDivers]

Hey Everyone-

Thanks for all the great advice. It is all greatly appreciated. I am looking forward to giving a full report on my dive trip when I return (Hopefully, it will all be good!) But for now I guess I need to do my homework on dive gear and make some important decisions. At those prices, you really hate to make a big mistake.