Older guy Certification

[edhjr]

I am an older guy, started late in life, employment and education. At any rate, I've got the scuba bug and I am not willing to stop until poor health forces me to stop. I have a lot invested financially, scuba gear, time and effort. In a weird sort of way I want buy a used drysuit from my store affiliate as if making additional purchases will somehow ensure I will continue to move forward on my certification.

Ironic Spending money, hoping dreams will become real.

I will refrain from purchasing the drysuit at least until I complete certification.

 

[Tripp]

From what I have read and heard, you may want to order a custom-fitted drysuit unless you came in a standard size...

 

[grf88]

Based on your current age you have many years to enjoy scuba, health permitting. A drysuit is a great addition to your scuba gear if you plan to dive locally.

 

[edhjr]

Item/Desc. Qty. Price Total
70405197 - Bare Aqua-Trek 1 Pro Dry
Size:3XL
1 1,079.96 1,079.96

$1,349.95 was price
-$269.99 discount
Subtotal 1,079.96
Tax 86.40
Materials 86.40
TOTAL 1,166.36
** You Saved $269.99 **
Items Sold: 1
This is the store model I was considering to buy. Bare Aqua-Trek 1 Pro Dry It is considerably less expensive than the BARE X Mission. Custom fit. The store model is acceptable, legs are long, but manageable. For now, the used model will be sufficient

 

[KathyV]

You should wait until you are certified so that you can make an informed decision about your future diving plans.

 

[grf88]

You should wait until you are certified so that you can make an informed decision about your future diving plans.

In many places people do the Open Water certification in a drysuit.

 

[Rob9876]

Ironic Spending money, hoping dreams will become real.

Ok, your post made me sad, so I looked at your profile and some of your prior posts. Seems like it has been an ordeal for you to get certified near home. Also looks like you are retired, so why wait and hope?

Personally, rather then jump into a drysuit purchase, I'd be inclined to take that money and fly to Cozumel for a week and knock out your OW (and can do Nitrox in an afternoon) and get some great first dives in warm, crystal clear water. You could probably come close to doing so for nearly the same price as a drysuit, staying in one of the hotels in town popular with divers (Suites Bahia, Suites Colonial, Casa Mexicana, Barracuda, Hotel Mary Carmen, etc.) with pricing much more reasonable than the Keys or USVI, and diving with one of the many good dives shops (most of which have very competitive prices) and getting some really great diving in during that week.

Then you will: (1) finally be certified; (2) know if diving is really for you (it's not for everyone); (3) get some experience in warm, clear water before diving in the cold, murky Finger Lakes or Lake Ontario, etc. near you.

Just my 2 cents, but hate to hear of your dreams delayed further when they don't really have to be.

 

[KathyV]

In many places people do the Open Water certification in a drysuit.

You don't have to buy one to get certified.

 

[Centrals]

Ironic Spending money, hoping dreams will become real.

Dream is always a dream! Make it a reality.

 

[Subcooled]

A few words of advice

1. a drysuit keeps you dry but you will need additional clothing to keep you warm (-->dress according to weather)
2. neoprene drysuits may be slightly warmer, at least near the surface (not compressed) but they are stiffer than trilaminate suits. Personally, i prefer the latter but that's just me. Oh, yes, there are rubber suits, too.
3. in either case you will need technical undergarments and a warm coverall; technical long johns & long sleeved shirt to give you a dry feeling and woolen socks and a warm coverall to keep you warm... Buy these first
4. contact local drysuit divers to learn how much clothing you need to wear under the drysuit
5. put your undergarments on and try the drysuit on
6. you need to be able to sit on your knees comfortably and to touch your back behind your neck. If you cannot, the suit is too small
7. if the legs are too long, you can fold them and use gaitors - a suboptimal solution, which I use all the time (because of money of course)
8. drysuits are expensive but they should last a couple hundred dives (400+) if treated well and serviced regularly. Latex seals need occasional replacement as do zippers. There are legacy zipper-free options in rubber (jacket & trousers rolled watertight) in case you feel more like the historic diver (it's a thing, too, you know).
9. drysuits come either with a fixed hood (which I prefer because they leak less) and no hood at all (comfy in hot weather; don one once ready to dive; this is what I unfortunately got). Both altenatives are good. This is strictly a personal preference thing.
10. Gloves - the epic battle. Some of us use five finger gloves (me), others (me again) prefer three finger gloves, and still others (me) wear dry gloves. Wet gloves are easy, comfy, nice. The three finger version (1+1+3) is warmer and just as dexterous (when did you last time use those thee little fngers and which one is better: three warm or five cold?). Dry gloves are equally warm at ANY depth. They also always leak and it sucks (they are valuable for longer deeper dives in very cold water). Anyway, you will end up owning all of these plus a few hoods and a pair of fins. You can never own too many hats, gloves and shoes