new to diving

[Kcharity]

Hi I am Katie

I am very new to diving, so new that I haven't even taken the course yet but I am this winter. I am just confused though there is so much stuff out there, so many brands I just don't know what to get. Somebody told me that I can just go to walmart to get my snorkel, mask and fins for my basics. What do you think. Where is the best place, with best prices to get diving equipment in Toronto or Mississauga Ontario?

 

[Jester]

Welcome to the board! I hope your find your dive class to be exciting and productive.

As far as equipment goes, I guess you could get your fins and snorkle at Walmart (personally, I wouldn't), but I strongly suggest you get your mask at a reputable dive shop. The most important thing about a mask is "fit". IF IT DON'T FIT, IT DON'T WORK!

If you get your fins and snorkle at the dive shop as well, you'll find them to be more expensive, but they'll be much higher quality, and even if you decide not to go any further with your diving, you can still use them for snorkling excursions.

 

[mustfajohnson]

Ditto. There's nothing worse than trying to learn your skills with a leaking mask!

 

[Kcharity]

Hey Hoover

Thanks for the info. I think I will stay away from Walmart and stick to dive shops.

Another question is it better to buy the basics separately or is a package a good idea.

 

[bridgediver]

welcome Katie. Good luck in the course.

You've already got some good advice from the other posters. This is a good place for that!

mark

 

[Groundhog246]

Kcharity once bubbled...
Another question is it better to buy the basics separately or is a package a good idea.

Depends on the LDS. The LDS where I trained requires you to have fins, mask, snorkel, weight belt and 6lbs (2 X 3lb) of weight and offers a discount if you buy the entire package from them. They carry quite a few brands and you can mix and match. I ended up with a Tusa mask, Mares Fins, Aqualung snorkel and Oceanic boots. You don't have to buy any or all there, but: The mask must be a silicone mask with tempered glass lenses (no PVC allowed). The snorkel must meet certain specs to allow proper air exchange (to prevent co2 buildup). You can do you pool work with full foot snorkel fins, but must have open heel fins (to accomodate neoprene booties) for OW dives (you'll also never keep up with your buddy with snorkel fins). Weight belts are pretty standard, but they require rubber coated weights to reduce the risk of damage to the pool if dropped.

Expect to spend from $300 to $500 for basic equipment. If you wear glasses ask about a two lens mask and getting prescription lenses for it. It will make your diving much more enjoyable. I've seen many divers waste money by buying cheap fins, lower end mask, etc. Then turning around in a year or less and buying better fins, etc. You'll be much farther ahead to discuss and ask before investing and trying to get the right gear the first time. Also ask your LDS if you can exchange if you get in the pool and find it's not right. For example, the mask seemed perfect, but after a half hour in the pool you're finding it leaks. Can you exchange for a different model (paying any difference in cost of course).

 

[joele]

the preoblem with walmart is that they may be selling masks that are not tempered...
better, i think, is for you to wait for your first "classroom" session so your instructor could tell you more first about equipment...

anyway, welcome to the board and into diving...

 

[Damselfish]

When I took my OW class they the instructor specifically told us not to go and buy stuff until after our first meeting. We had a show and tell in the dive shop so he could explain what to look for. (No pressure to buy anything there.) This is better than just going out and buying stuff, because a few things may not be obvious. Like your mask should cling if you stick it on your face and inhale gently - not by cinching it down with a strap. Why full foot fins don't cut it in cold water. Etc.

Is this a typical routine, or do most people just get told to buy mask/fins/snorkel b4 class without more guidance?

I already had the basics because I did a lot of snorkeling. I think I got them at some sporting goods place, but not a dive shop. They were like sure, use the stuff in the pool, and if the mask fits and doesn't leak stick with it. Snorkel, anything will do. After a couple pool sessions I was at the dive shop buying good stuff.

 

[rab]

Since my OW class was a gift from my wife, I hadn't been in the store before (well, looking-for/pricing a snorkel a couple years ago). When I actually went in to sign up for a spot in the class, I was told to have mask, fins, and snorkel. The DM / assistant instructor there gave me a run-down of the basic options for fins and what to look for in a mask. A few days later I went back in for the mask, but ended up getting a great clearance price for fins online (and since the fit wasn't as critical for the fins as for the mask, I didn't worry). I have a moustache and was warned about leakage (the DM also sported a 'stache) and some tips to reduce it (they helped!).

During the class (the 2nd or 3rd of 5), we saw a bunch of different types and thicknesses of wetsuit and, of course, got pointers about BCs and regulators the first night (and a few tips throughout the course).

I've since added a 5/3 wetsuit to my collection and used it on my certification dives.

While you're still in class, try to use a variety of BC and reg styles (assuming the shop has more than one type!) so you get a feel for what features may be important to you when you eventually buy your own. (yes, you will!)

-Rob

 

[joele]

you're right, damselfish...
it's very basic, actually...
you have to wait for your instructor to teach you first about equipment before you go out on a shopping spree... else you might end up buying things that you absolutely don't need...