Rental Gear - regulators

[jmmacdougall2]

My wife and I are getting OW certified this summer. We are planning on renting equipment for a while, since we can't afford to buy everything up front and we also want to see what equipement we like before plopping down the money for it.

Here's the question: when renting regulators from a dive shop, do they also rent the SPG and depth guage along with it? Or is that completely separate? I keep looking around online, and I see rental prices for BCD's, wetsuits, tanks and weights, and regulators, but I haven't seen anything for a console or computer. I've tried using the search function, but I can't seem to find a thread which addresses this question. Sorry if it's a totally newbish question - but I'm a total newb.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[300bar]

I don't think any dive op will rent out a reg.without some kind of console.
SPG as the bare minimum.I've seen them without a compass and once without a depthgauge.
But all others I've seem were complete.
small sugestion on the side,get a pair of computers just in case.

 

[jmmacdougall2]

Thank you! That answered my question nicely.

 

[altaskier]

Congratulations on taking the plunge! If you can swing a diving vacation, you can get some experience relatively quickly in the company of experienced divers on the boat.

Regarding your question, I think pressure gauge and depth gauge are pretty standard with rentals. However, computers are usually not included. They are pretty handy, however, especially as a check on ascent rates etc. as you learn the ropes. Renting for a bit to try things before buying is a good thing.

 

[jmmacdougall2]

Thank you both for the replies.

We'll be going to the Keys this October to celebrate our fifth anniversary, and were hoping to go on a couple of dives around Pennekamp State Park. We're in the cost analysis stage right now, so we're getting as much information as possible.

We've got our personal gear (masks, snorkels, fins - no wetsuits yet), so we'd have to rent everything else for the time being.

How do most boat operations handle people with virtually no experience? Does someone (a DM?) generally tag along and keep an eye on them, or is that something that needs to be set up separately? We just started the book work for OW, so perhaps I'm getting a bit ahead of myself here, but I like to have as much information as possible when planning things out.

 

[vel525]

I think renting the first several times diving is a great way to help you decide what you like or dislike. However, personally, I'm not a fan of renting wetsuits as I like to pee in mine

If you are not yet comfortable diving on your own, you can always request a DM to lead the dive. You may have to pay a little extra, but it's not a bad idea until you get more comfortable underwater.

As for the recommendation to buy a computer, I think that's a great idea. However, computers are expensive and if you are strapped for cash I would hold off. If you stick to shallower reef dives, using tables is fine. I don't think you get a tremendous benefit from a computer unless you start doing deeper/multi-level dives. Also, if you're a guy and a new diver you'll probably be an air hog so you'll run out of air before you run out of deco time so, personally, I would spend the money on more diving for now.

Good luck with your trip planning. Definitely check out the FL regional section for dive op recommendations, places to stay, and, most importantly, places to eat.

 

[don Francisco]

Congrats on joining the club so to speak. As the others have said, your rental regs should come with an octopus and a basic console, including SPG & depth gauge. Depending on the type of diving you'll be doing you might want a computer, but most newbie diver's dives can easily be managed with a watch & the dive tables.

How much support you get from the DMs varies with the locale & operator, running fromm zero (the boat brings you to a site & waits for you to bring you home) to guides only, to guides & safety support. Tell whatever operator you contact that you're both newbies, and ask what you might expect in DM support.

Also, when renting the regs, ask for a tank to check them on in the shop & check all functions yourself. Rentals are often returned with problems and no comments from the prior renter & you don't want to test the reg on your first dive.

Lastly, you never need to apologise for a newbie question. The only dumb questions are the ones folks are too proud or shy to ask. Also, as you do the book work save questions to ask the instructor. Good instructors actually like questions as they help flesh out the material for everybody.

Again, welcome & good luck. dF

 

[jmmacdougall2]

Thanks to all! We really appreciate the responses.

 

[Abidon]

Since I'm not that far removed from where you and your wife are with regards to their certification, here's my 2¢.

First of all, use your qualification and initial dives as a means to try out various types/brands of gear. I didn't specifically intend to do this when I did my dives, but luckily it worked out that way. Little nuances in gear designs can have a bigger impact on your comfort level (and overall dive experience) than you think. My wife had a heck of a time just trying to attached & remove the hose from her tank to the BCD just because the fitting style wasn't condusive to her small manicured fingers. With the fitting style on another BCD, she had no problems. Now, if she could only get over the breathing underwater part...

Second, use your log book to jot down notes on the equipment you use. Be sure to record even the small details. Take note of how the gear performs on the surface, at depth, and during ascend/decend. I now have a general preference when and if I ever decide to buy my own regulators, BCD's, booties, and wetsuits.

Third, like another poster mentioned, check your regulators in the shop before you leave. While checking the gear in the shop for one of my check-out dives, I tested the alternate-air regulator. It sounded like a was hunting for ducks. Of course, the shop didn't know there was a problem with it, because the last person to use it failed to notify them.

Best of luck to you and your wife.:yelclap:

 

[Cajuncru Diver]

Thank you both for the replies.

We'll be going to the Keys this October to celebrate our fifth anniversary, and were hoping to go on a couple of dives around Pennekamp State Park. We're in the cost analysis stage right now, so we're getting as much information as possible.

We've got our personal gear (masks, snorkels, fins - no wetsuits yet), so we'd have to rent everything else for the time being.

How do most boat operations handle people with virtually no experience? Does someone (a DM?) generally tag along and keep an eye on them, or is that something that needs to be set up separately? We just started the book work for OW, so perhaps I'm getting a bit ahead of myself here, but I like to have as much information as possible when planning things out.

Depends upon the operator. Check out Dive Key Largo, Islamorada, Florida Keys with Rainbow Reef Dive Center;scuba diving:diving, Florida keys, florida diving they provide a dm guide with each group, or you can request a personal dive guide and they will supply(extra cost of course).