Lake / River Diving Equipment

[Jax Teller]

I'd like to start this off by saying I have no intentions of buying any gear anytime soon. I've always had an interest in scuba diving, but have never looked into it until now. I was looking into the cost of classes, and figured I should look into the cost of bare necessities for equipment.

I have read that a lot of places will let you rent equipment, but because I live in MN, I'm assuming there aren't a whole lot of scuba diving tours in the area. I'm thinking that through class and the internet, I may make some diving friends that are local that can dive with me. But I figure the odds are slim to none that the buddy will have equipment to rent; therefore I will need my own.

I ask now because I am looking into how to pay for the class. If I can't afford to actually do any diving shortly after certification, then I'd rather wait until I can. I don't want to get certified and then not be able to actually dive until 2 years from now, as I'm sure I'll have forgotten some things from not being able to practice them. I hope this makes sense the way I explained it.

Now I don't need anything too fancy or anything. I normally go for middle of the line type equipment. What would be the bare essentials that I would absolutely need to have in order to safely go Lake / River diving? I'm not asking for the specific brand (although I wouldn't turn it down), I'm more looking for generic info like mask, tank, fins, etc. I know absolutely nothing about scuba, so the less abbreviations, the better.

I feel like I have been a pest to this site today (3 seperate threads so far today, all asking questions), but you guys have been a big help with the answers.

Thanks again!

 

[vixtor]

If you want to dive using your equipment (and you have nowhere to rent anything), then you need everything.

This means:
1. The mask, fins and snorkel - you'll need a mask that fits you perfectly, good fins and the cheapest snorkel
2. Thermal protection - wetsuit or drysuit; wetsuit is cheaper, but I have no idea what are your water temperatures. I'm diving in a 7mm wetsuit in 46F, with a little chill, but this depends only on your body; together with this, there are the boots, gloves and eventually hood (if the hood is not fixed on the wetsuit)
3. Now you need lead weights, and you are ready to go snorkeling.
4. The scuba unit itself: regulator (first stage, second stage, spare second stage aka octopus, spg), buoyancy compensator (either jacket or wing), and the tank. For regulators, any brand will fit your initial diving; i would go with a basic Scubapro MK2+/R295/R295 and a simple SPG; this is the kind of equipment that will endure a lot from you and still be useful later even if you upgrade your main regulator. For the buoyancy compensator you'll hear many options arround here, but I guess the cheapest BC from a good vendor, like the ones used in rental/scuba schools would be enough for you now.
5. In order to dive, you'll also need a compass, a knife, and a watch/depth gauge (at minimum). I would advice you to buy the Scubapro/Uwatec Digital Bottom Timer, a great tool that you will be able to use to dive using tables; that way you'll avoid buying a computer, which might be expensive, and you'll also learn the basics of diving without trusting blindly a computer.

Anything else I would say it is optional and depends on your specific needs and on your dive sites.

When you buy the reg/bc try to find a brand that is serviced locally; it will matter for you later more than the brand name itself.

 

[syonker]

Howdy,

First off, Vixtor - I wanted to say I really like your equipment breakdown and explanation. Very nicely done.

Not knowing exactly where you are geographically this may or may not apply; however, if you're near a decent sized metro area, there should be at least a few reputable dive shops from whom you can safely rent top-quality, consistently-maintained equipment...even if you plan to fly to the tropics. It really depends on the shop/brands/quality of equipment as to the price, but it may be a lot easier to absorb for you than either 1) splurging for equipment yourslef or 2) going cheap and getting something potentially substandard or poorly maintained (remember, your life depends on this equipement).

I did a search on SCUBA in the Twin Cities, MN and found many websites for shops in the area. This one even has an on-line "get started free" link that looked interesting: http://northlanddivers.com/ Here's another one that has a nice description of the Open Water certification course: http://www.smithdiving.com/education/class_scu.php

If you rent from different shops, or intend to rent where you land, you run the risk of inconsistent equipment - it's highly recommended for safety reasons that you use a consistent set so you're used to it; therefore, find a shop you like and trust, and form a relationship with the people there. SCUBA is much more of a "community" shopping experience than a "retail" shopping experience (which is half the fun! ). It makes for more fun diving too - less mucking about with unfamiliar weight systems, buoyancy systems, etc.

If you do not find yourself in a situation where you can consistently rent the equipment, you should contact a dive shop in town to see about buying your own. Shops are certified equipment repair/maintenance facilities, and it's very common that they either have 1) a purchase plan for new equipment which generally includes a deal from the manufacturer (for example: ScubaPro generally includes a computer if you buy a BC and Regulator set together), or b) they may have diver customers who have upgraded and traded in equipment, or are interested in outright selling it, which the shop can certify for you. Again, I cannot stress enough the importance of getting equipment that you are comfortable using, that is supported by a shop you trust, which is in good working order, that meets the diving parameters you intend to inflict upon it, and which can be easily maintained. Bottom line: Don't buy anything off of Craig's List or eBay without checking with a shop first.

As far as not diving for two years at a time, once you've been certified, there is a program with all diving agencies called a "Skills Update" ranging from 50 to about 75 dollars that basically runs you through the gambit again in less time, and concentrating on the pieces you don't remember (these include pool time and the help of an instructor or Dive Con). Very affordable - and these also cover new innovations in equipment, computers, and anything new in the industry and/or regulations.

Minnesota most likely has some interesting dive sites - particularly up near Duluth; however, I suspect you need not go to Lake Superior to find some other interesting sites. With the land of 10,000 lakes at your back door, I'm guessing there is plenty of opportunity!

Enjoy, and good luck.


-S

 

[CamG]

Greetings Jax and welcome to SB! It is awesome to hear of your interest in learning to dive. I to understand what you are saying, "being there" myself not to long ago. Just let me say do not give up on diving because of $$$$! Just be patient, shrewd, research, try before you buy when possible. Make gear choices wisely by gaining advice from local divers in your area and what works best for you.
This brings me to the best advice I could give to you, get involved with a local dive club! This is a great place to gain valuable information and good opportunities to gain a diving mentor. Just be attentive and I think you can find divers willing to help you out. The next best thing is to find a local dive shop you can trust to have your best interest in mind not just $$$$$! In my experience there are many great ones out there but be smart and use SB to educate yourself as you have been doing.
Thirdly I have found $$$$ for scuba in other places that were once hobbies that were very dear to me. I have recycled some cash and been very fortunate to have a good mentor to help guide my diving goals. I found that after I got started diving I was motivated to work more OT, do what ever I could to get to further my diving goals.
I started hanging out with my instructor helping him when I could and we became close friends. His guidance and advice have saved me $$$$$, I have been able to find great used gear deals as well.
Just do not put off if possible. It is tough when you can not do something because of the $$$. If you were closer to me I would offer you a discover, to let you try it out.
My first Open Water dive changed my entire life! I am a diver know and can not imagine doing anything else. It has become a family pursuit for my wife and two kids as well. I have shared some experiences that blow me away and I will remember for ever. Go for it my friend you can PM me anytime, and ask as many questions as you like. That is what SB is for. I have found to that the search drive here at SB to be awesome when gathering information. I am sure there are other SB members in MN who would be willing to help as well. No worries it will work out!
CamG Keep diving....keep training....keep learning!

 

[MaxBottomtime]

minneapolis dive shops - Google Search
With more than a dozen dive shops in Minneapolis you should have no trouble renting gear until you are ready to buy your own.

 

[Jax Teller]

I was very surprised that there is an assortment of shops in the area that will rent gear. I was thinking you had to be near a coast to rent, but I'm pleasantly surprised to find I'm wrong.
As far as recycling money goes, I'm trying to sell my airsoft equipment to pay for the dive class. If I love diving as much as I think I might, then I'm hoping to sell the bike and convince the wife to let me use what I was paying for the bike payment to put towards scuba. But, that part is a long way off yet. First need to take the class to see if it really is as awesome as it sounds.

Thanks for your responses, and I'll be sure to save this thread on my computer so that if the time comes to start buying equipment, I'll have a good list to start from.

Man I'm excited! I wish I could sign up for the class before selling the airsoft stuff. I'd be sleeping on the couch for quite a while if I did that though! Haha!

Thanks again people!

 

[mudhole]

I'd like to start this off by saying I have no intentions of buying any gear anytime soon.
I have read that a lot of places will let you rent equipment, but because I live in MN, I'm assuming there aren't a whole lot of scuba diving tours in the area.
Now I don't need anything too fancy or anything. I normally go for middle of the line type equipment. What would be the bare essentials that I would absolutely need to have in order to safely go Lake / River diving? I'm not asking for the specific brand (although I wouldn't turn it down), I'm more looking for generic info like mask, tank, fins, etc. I know absolutely nothing about scuba, so the less abbreviations, the better. I feel like I have been a pest to this site today (3 seperate threads so far today, all asking questions), but you guys have been a big help with the answers.
Thanks again!

Jax, welcome to ScubaBoard, don't worry about finding dive equipment in the land of 10,000 lakes, I started 40 years ago in southwest Oklahoma during a 15 year drought. I thought that you had to have lots of water to find divers. . . we're everywhere. And right now there are more than 100,000 divers, willing to help a potential dive buddy. Ask your questions, think about the answers you get, for what fits your situation.

The start for any new diver, is a great fitting mask, brand names don't matter, low volume, high volume, stripes, color. . . Fit is the only thing that matters, Guidance from a dive shop with lots of masks to try, and the opportunity to try in the water, is what you want to look for.

Look for dive shops in the areas where the diving is close by. Very important for scuba divers, is air, and not from a filling station pump, but expensive compressors. . . check online for resorts on clear lakes. Where to look? Right here on ScubaBoard. At the top of each page, click on "Forums" when a long list of topics open up, scroll way down to "Regional Travel and Dive Clubs." Click on United States and look under there for areas all over the country, and there will be dive clubs, and diving activities listed there. Read the current messages from area divers, and use the search function to read messages from the past few years.

Any dive shop in your area is going to rent wetsuits, and maybe drysuits. Getting a good fit in a wetsuit is difficult, buy the wrong size and you're going to be cold, and quit diving too soon. Your second purchase after a good fitting mask, is a very good fitting wetsuit. Drysuits are warmer, but much more expensive. To make your good fitting wetsuit better, to get you started, carry warm water in thermos bottles, hot shower water temps into your wetsuit before the dive and another after the dive will make cold water diving more tolerable.

Stay with us on the board, keep reading and buy your gear as your budget allows, and make sure you can dive the gear before you buy it. One size does not fit all in cold water.

 

[Jax Teller]

Stay with us on the board...

It's always nice to be wanted, but the only place I have any intention of going at this time is dive class once I find the money and proper school. Although, from the sounds of it, the place I found is the norm for my area. But that's an entirely different ongoing thread of mine!

Anyone have a winning powerball ticket they could send my way? From the sounds of it - I just might need it!

 

[teddyg04]

Hey, Jax! One of the responses I get when I tell someone new here that I dive is "I thought only people living near warm water could dive?" I live in the desert; we have lots of divers here. Once you find a local shop you'll be amazed at how many divers there are, and your only problem will be finding the time to dive.........

 

[Jax Teller]

I did a little internet surfing today at the in-laws and found that I shouldn't have an issue renting equipment or finding places to dive. I found a NAUI school that offers a $45 one day class as like an intro to scuba, so you can see if you might enjoy it before committing to the full class. They supply everything. That eases my concerns of dropping $400 on a class that I know nothing about. Looking forward to that!

I now off to search the web to find the difference between NAUI and PADI. Have fun people, and thanks for your time!