New Diver from FL

[lmmgemini]

Hello!!!

My name is Lauren, I am currently living in Orlando, FL. I am just starting to get into diving, so I just joined this forum site. I am getting prepared to take scuba lessons in order to get certified. However, right now I am working on getting some dive gear and more information on diving. That is part of the reason why I joined this site. I wanted to hear people's dive stories and to get familiar with the equipment name brands and hear people's critiques on the different brands. (I want to make sure I buy good quality dive gear).

Well, thanks for reading my post and I look forward to hearing some of the more experienced diver's stories as well as growing and getting educated with the new divers.

Have a great day!!!

 

[The Surly Mermaid]

Welcome to the Board Lauren. Good luck with your classes. Let us know if you have any questions.

 

[lmmgemini]

Thanks so much for the reply!!!!

This site looks like its a good place to start - I know I'll have a lot of questions.

 

[pasley]

Hello Lauren,
Welcome to the board. This is a good site for information. Just remember we all have what we like and don't like for various reasons. Now is the time to look into the crystal ball and see your future. What type of diving do you want to do 2 or 3 years from now? That will dictate what type of equipment you by today as dive gear if well maintained will last many years.

So what is in your future?
General diving not more than 130 feet to look at the fish (most good stuff is above 60 feet)?
Wreck diving - requires special training to do so safely. Most wrecks are in deeper waters and the really nice ones may require special gear to dive 200+ feet.
Cave Diving - requires special training to do so safely. Lots of cave diving in Florida and again you will want special gear (backplate and wing?).
Technical Diving - going really deep, again special gear (wreck and cave often get into tech diving).
Recreational/Technical Diving - buy gear on the tech side but use it recreationally for shallow dives above 130. Example the steel back plate and wing are considered by many to be Tech gear, but it is taking recreational diving in our local waters by storm. (I dive a back plate and wing and wish I had done so from the start).

 

[cudachaser]

Hey Lauren

I'm an instructor from Cocoa Beach...After you finish your course, please join us at Cocoa Beach Scuba Odyssey

Do lotsa of resonable local dives

 

[Bob Vincent]

Hi ...

& Welcome to ...
:sblogo::colouredsmilies::colouredsmilies:

 

[Bound]

Welcome to SB.

 

[lmmgemini]

Thanks - Cocoa Beach is only like 1hr away and I know I'll be looking for a group.

 

[Tom D]

I see you are thinking about buying dive gear before you are certified. I suggest you start with mask, fins, snorkel and weight belt. Those are the items you will need for certification. The rest you should do after certification. Talk to the instructors and dive masters who are teaching the class. They are in a good position to comment on the type of diving you will do and what configuration works well for that diving.

Key to a lot of the equipment is the fit and comfort. There are very few wrong answers if you are comfortable in the water.

Also, may want to consider renting for a few dives early on to try a few different configurations.

Good luck and happy diving

 

[ffdvr05]

Hello Lauren nice to meet you and welcome to diving. My name is Tim I am a Firefighter/Paramedic and I also teach private lessons on the side. I am not new to diving but I am new to this forum. Anyway if you havent found anyone to do your lessons yet give me an email at ffdvr05@aol.com and I can help you out with lessons and equipment purchase suggestions.