Hey everyone. I'm new to diving and from LANDLOCKED AR. I recently dove for the first time in Cozumel 3 times and am horribly hooked. Too bad all I have to choose from at home is a small selection of semi-clear lakes.:depressed:
I am completely hooked and am ready to put some money into my new love. I don't know jack about jack when it comes to equipment brands or where to go to get it. I am prepared to spend a max of $1500 on my equipment and don't know in which direction to go. Can you all please offer some advise or direction. I appreciate any help I can get.
Thanks for the help
New diver777 welcome to ScubaBoard. You're starting backward for most divers, who start in the fresh water lakes, to learn to dive, then move to resorts like Cozumel.
In your state you can find 20 to 30 foot visibility much of the year, in parts of the lake. . . some parts of the lake won't be that clear. At Cozumel, parts of the reef will be 100 feet viz, much of the year, and parts of the reef will be less. You can enjoy blowing bubbles in both. If you want to approach fish, to sight see or to photograph what you find, learning in fresh water teaches you more quickly to approach sea life. You'll learn by diving 50 to 100 dives, which will be cheaper close to home, than at vacation dives at the resorts. Don't think less of your dives near home. . . you'll learn from lots of experience faster than occasional trips to resorts.
As any new diver you want to get equipment quickly, and fit all the equipment into your budget. Most of us have faced the same questions, and that shouldn't be your goal. You've got several dive shops scattered around the state, and each shop will have different brands of equipment. There won't be "bad" equipment. . . there will be good, better and best choices. And in many cases "Fit" will be the deciding factor. No two manufacturers use the same measurements for their "large" wetsuits or their "large" buoyancy compensator.
To be comfortable underwater. . . the size for each manufacturer must fit you, better than any other brand. You can't tell in the dive shop how a wetsuit or BC "fits". You must dive with each piece of gear, before you buy. For some dive shops you can rent gear, if so rent several styles to find what fits you. This board has forums that will have divers telling you what you "Have to" have. They may be telling you what is best for them, but they can't tell you what is best for you.
Travel to Beaver lake, or Table Rock, or Ouachita, or DeGray or several smaller lakes. Meet local divers and talk to them about what they dive with, and why they like it. . . In Arkansas, you can dive out of the back of your car, out of a small fishing boat or pontoon boats you can rent. You'll find diving easier than many parts of the country and the opportunity to progress in diving skill, is in your hands.
Blow lots of bubbles and enjoy.
