Prepping for my OWC by referral (in Belize)...looking for guidance

[lrw3gww]

Hi all,
I'm gearing up for a trip to Belize (a resort off the southern down of Danigra) and am seeking input. I've completed my academic work and pool time with a NAUI instructor here at home. I've also done one dive in a local lake in November. My instructor commented how comfortable I seemed and how quickly I learned the skills.

As part of the class, I have the following: mask, snorkel, fins, and booties. Since then, my husband gave me gloves and a dive knife.

I've been in touch with the Dive Instructor at the private resort (CocoPlum Island) to understand his experience and credentials.

1. Should I bring the knife on my trip and can I (Belize customs and all)?
2. Should I rent gear from home from my trusty dive shop or rely on gear in Belize? I ask because I've heard some horror stories of people with poorly maintained gear and seeing as I'm an absolute beginner, I'm cautious.
3. Are there any other items I should have? I don't want to invest too much in gear until I'm certified and confident this will become a regular hobby around here and not just on vacations. On the other hand, I'm cautious and would like to have the basics on hand.
4. Any other suggestions for how to enjoy my first dive trip?

Thanks in advance

 

[fjpatrum]

I've never been to Belize but I'd say number one is probably no. On OW dives I wouldn't expect a knife to be necessary at all. That said, if it fits comfortably in your luggage, the only harm I would see in bringing a modern dive knife (IE not a giant one like people used to wear commonly) would be the possibility of losing it.

Whether you rent gear at home or in Belize, check it out before you use it. Arrive the day before your planned dives and fit check everything and test it for functionality. If the shop has a problem with it, find another one to finish your course. The same goes for renting from home... fit check before your departure date and make sure everything is in working order.

Rent the gear and don't worry about buying anything else, yet. I say this as someone who loves diving and bought all my gear before my OW checkout dives. I bought all used gear and still use it, so I'm not saying this because I think you'll regret your purchases. I'm saying it because logistically it's just easier to rent. It gives you time to do more research, on both what you want and the price you want to pay. If you have a lot of time before your trip and a reasonable budget, this may be a non-issue.

My only advice would be to relax and enjoy it. Belize is supposed to be beautiful for diving and surface interval fun. That's what it's about, right?

 

[rick00001967]

if it was me i would avoid buying anything until you know exactly what yu need and if you even want to continue diving. there is a ton of options for equipment out there. a lot of people get talked into buying a bunch of gear by the dive shop they get certified with. thats how they make a living. but sometimes it is better to do a bunch of different types of dives to see what you most enjoy. there are different types of equipment avail for different types of diving.
most people will advise using the resorts gear rather than hauling it from home. i agree. if you don't trust the gear where you are diving, look to dive elsewhere.
btw....i have never been to belize but there is usually no trouble bringing in dive knifes. just don't put it in your carry on. lol it never hurts to declare it on your immigration form either. although in cozumel the customs agent was not too happy i declared it. they had to search my luggage to find it and see what it was. then he asked why i declared it. i said "i declared it because it was a weapon". he said "thats not a weapon, thats a dive knife". lol

 

[DivemasterDennis]

No to the knife. As to rental gear, if you rent here you will likely need an extra bag for gear and there may ( probably will) be a charge from the airline. Many Caribbean resorts rent up to date and well maintained gear, but not all do. I have no experience with Coco Plum, but it is likely someone here on SB has. Why not post an inquiry in the "Greater Caribbean and Bermuda Forum" and see if you can get an insiders report on their rental gear quality?
DivemasterDennis

 

[Steve_C]

A piece of dive gear that is often overlooked is a prescription mask. For 30 years I snorkeled with a regular mask. I don't see distances well. Finally I got a prescription mask for snorkeling. It made a major difference in my enjoyment. Later when I took up scuba one of my first purchases was a dive mask that was bifocal (so that I can read the close up gauges at the same time). If you need to wear glasses and have 20/300 eyes like I do, think about the mask.

 

[Colo Hippie]

Hi all,
I'm gearing up for a trip to Belize (a resort off the southern down of Danigra) and am seeking input. I've completed my academic work and pool time with a NAUI instructor here at home. I've also done one dive in a local lake in November. My instructor commented how comfortable I seemed and how quickly I learned the skills.

As part of the class, I have the following: mask, snorkel, fins, and booties. Since then, my husband gave me gloves and a dive knife.

I've been in touch with the Dive Instructor at the private resort (CocoPlum Island) to understand his experience and credentials.

1. Should I bring the knife on my trip and can I (Belize customs and all)?

You really do not need a knife -we got sucker'd into buying them. After years of diving I have yet to need it underwater. But I still carry it "just in case"

1. Should I rent gear from home from my trusty dive shop or rely on gear in Belize? I ask because I've heard some horror stories of people with poorly maintained gear and seeing as I'm an absolute beginner, I'm cautious.

Rent from your "trusty" shop - that way you know the grear before you get in the water. Being new to diving and facing your tests you want some things to be familiar(sp?)

1. Are there any other items I should have? I don't want to invest too much in gear until I'm certified and confident this will become a regular hobby around here and not just on vacations. On the other hand, I'm cautious and would like to have the basics on hand.

Just take the basic's - stay with the K.I.S.S model so you can focus on the important things you need to learn and get certified.

1. Any other suggestions for how to enjoy my first dive trip?

Enjoy it and take note of everything.You picked a great location to begin your diving, we started in Hopkins, your landing in Dangriga is a trip - it is like landing on a drug trafficking strip and is a blast

Also go tour the ruins it is a full day trip and worth it, you get to climb on and around and walk through them - it is incredible

Thanks in advance

Welcome to the awesome and expensive world of diving!!! you have been bitten and are doomed to a life of adventure that most will never understand or experience



Edit to add:


Take medications in case you get sick - you are going to a VERY remote part of Belize, the nearest Dr is in Dangriga. My wife got sick on our trip and it took 3 days to get her the equivalent of Nyquil day and night. Also outside of the resort you will be in (at best) third world conditions. It can be an eye opening experience. It was for me, and one of the best and most memorable. It changed my life in many ways.

 

[knotical]

Hi lrw3gww,

If you’re going to follow the (good) advice from a few posts above about asking for other’s experiences with CocoPlum, you should probably consider the Belize forum: Belize under Central America, rather than the Greater Caribbean one.

k

 

[lrw3gww]

Thank you all for you replies. I have been in touch with the dive instructor so I'll email him about the gear. I just did a refresher with my teacher at home and feel very good about things. I'm really excited about the upcoming trip.