scuba gear for beginner

[utzybuzzy]

I'm a beginner and was certified by padi. i own my own fins, snorkel, mask and boots. i am in college (plan to be a marine biologist) and my mom wants to get me some scuba things i might need in the future though not too expensive. i would like a mesh bag or backpack to put all my wet things, including a wetsuit i hope to get one day, and dry things like a towel, camera etc. does anyone know of a good one? Also is there anything else she can get me. thanks!

 

[Dirty-Dog]

Actually, you're talking about two separate bags. You cannot really expect to put your wet things and your dry things in the same bag, unless you're planning to turn the dry things into wet things.

You want a mesh bag for your wet things and a dry bag for your dry things. Check out "gear bags" and "dry bags" at your favorite retailer. You'll find a ton of options.

 

[TMHeimer]

For boat dives I use an old hockey bag. Apparently those zippers (unlike a real dive gear bag) aren't made to stand up to salt water. I only boat dive once or twice a year. I would think my bag would still be somewhat functional without the zipper. I use a separate bag for dry stuff- airline "carry-on" style. I do use a huge strong mesh bag for weights (keeps them separate from anyting they could damage). For "car" dives I use a big tupperware container (2' by 4'?). I have taken this on a boat once, but it takes up a lot of space.

 

[koozemani]

We use this as a wet bag.

https://www.google.com/shopping/pro...=X&ei=hoF5UqDgFKecyQHurYC4Aw&ved=0CIsBEPMCMAY

and this for travel, at least for whatever doesn't fit in the dive caddy.

Costco - f?l 30" Split Case Rolling Duffel customer reviews - product reviews - read top consumer ratings

which has a wet pocket. Cheap, holds up well, and if it breaks it's cheap to replace. We've used them on several trips with no issues yet.

a wetsuit is definitely something to invest in because a properly fitting suit is invaluable. Besides people pee in them and I have a strict policy of only soaking in my own.

a computer and regs would be next on the list, but now you're talking bigger $$$. The new edge regs have been well reviewed and won't break the bank. But there are several other similarly priced options.

 

[TSandM]

We have Armor mesh bags. They have a small flap pocket on the outside, and ours has a larger zippered pocket on the inside. Both can hold dry stuff, while the wet stuff goes in the mesh portion. These bags hold up really well.

 

[Fundive123]

I use the mares mesh cruise duffle bag, and it fits all my gear, except my wetsuit and weights. Used it multiple times for lugging scuba gear and the straps are long enough to throw over a shoulder, allowing two open hands to carry other things such as carrying tanks and what not. So far it has held up well. Mares Cruise Mesh Duffle Bag:Amazon:Sports & Outdoors

 

[utzybuzzy]

Thank you for all your suggestions. I'll pass them on to my mom and hope she makes the right decisions. One question. If you get a mesh bag to hold all your wet gear after diving then you can use any bag to hold your dry things like a regular backpack? If so would it be better to not get a mesh backpack or does it really matter? Thanks!

 

[Dirty-Dog]

If you take your dry gear on a boat, you're likely going to want a dry bag. Dry bags are specifically intended to be watertight, and are generally positively buoyant. Just in case...

 

[Skittl1321]

Thank you for all your suggestions. I'll pass them on to my mom and hope she makes the right decisions. One question. If you get a mesh bag to hold all your wet gear after diving then you can use any bag to hold your dry things like a regular backpack? If so would it be better to not get a mesh backpack or does it really matter? Thanks!

We don't boat dive, so we put our dry things in just regular bags (be it grocery bags, backpacks, canvas beach bags- whatever I grab first) and our wet things in a rubbermaid container. I don't see any reason to get a special scuba-branded bag, though the zipper issue with salt water might be one.

I think the main reason for mesh is drainage, but we only keep stuff in these containers to move them around. When we get home they get hung out, so it doesn't matter if they spend a few hours in the car unable to drain. I wouldn't want to spend money on a nice bag until I get a BC, and then make sure the BC and regs fit into the bag. Otherwise, you just have to buy again.

We just use $5 beach towels from walmart.


I don't know how inexpensive 'but not too expensive' is- but if I were you, I'd want a wetsuit (mine was $100) and a computer (mine was $300). Maybe a point and shoot camera like the Canon D20 or Pentax WG-3 ($300 ish). You might also need little things like a dive flag, extra bolt clips, a compass.

 

[diverrex]

It really all depends on what type of diving you plan on doing. As people have said carrying gear for beach diving is different than boat diving. And small boats require one type of bag while larger boats can use another. I use two different type bags for local diving and then another type bag for tropical trips. That said a large mesh bag can usually be put to good use as well as a smaller dry bag. Like most things in scuba the more you dive the more equipment you collect so you have just the right stuff for the particular dive.