scuba gear for beginner

[BVickery]

As far as inexpensive gear and black friday/end of year coming up you may check out the deals on Wetsuits if you need them where you dive. Again, cost depends on make and thickness, but LDS had closing years or last years Aqualung wetsuits for about $99.

Another item I saw no one suggest is an underwater Compass.

You can go rather expensive Suunto Sk7 Wrist Compass or something from DGE Tech Compass w/Bungee Mount and Cord. Heard good things about both but it does seem the SK7 is the standard others are compared to if you check out the forums about such items.

Other ideas are:

Light
If your planning on going DIR/GUE things such as required length hoses, bolt snaps.
underwater slate and/or wetnotes.


You never mentioned the threshhold for inexpensive so I tried to keep it under the $100 mark.

 

[DivemasterDennis]

A nice gift could be a DAN membership- div e accident insurance , a nice magazine and much more. Dvers Alert Network is what DAN stands for, and their programs are great. Check them out at diversalertnetwork.org. Other relatively inexpensive gifts could include a dive light, nice log book cover or holder, compass, emergency signalling device, like an inflatable "sausage." Just a few ideas. I would hold off for a bit on an underwater camera. Decent digital cameras can start as low as a few hundred dollars and go to sever thousand. I am a big fan of Sea Life cameras myself.
sealife-cameras.com
DivemasterDennis

 

[BVickery]

A nice gift could be a DAN membership- div e accident insurance , a nice magazine and much more. Dvers Alert Network is what DAN stands for, and their programs are great. Check them out at diversalertnetwork.org. Other relatively inexpensive gifts could include a dive light, nice log book cover or holder, compass, emergency signalling device, like an inflatable "sausage." Just a few ideas. I would hold off for a bit on an underwater camera. Decent digital cameras can start as low as a few hundred dollars and go to sever thousand. I am a big fan of Sea Life cameras myself.
sealife-cameras.com
DivemasterDennis

Got to agree, completely forgot about DAN as well. Out of everything mentioned I would put DAN at the top of my list.

 

[TomZ]

DAN insurance is a must. After that I'd suggest safety gear. You can rent SCUBA equipment, but personal safety gear rentals are rare. Moms love safety gear, lol. Scubaboard's owner NetDoc has sponsored a deal on some good safety gear through Dive Right In Scuba (DRIS) .

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/hot-deals/468451-netdocs-safety-package-dive-right-scuba.html

DRIS Dive Gear NetDoc Safety Package - Dive Right In Scuba - Plainfield, IL

 

[boulderjohn]

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!

I know that you asked about some specific items, but I hope you won't mind some generic advice.

If you buy scuba gear from any reputable company, it will be extremely durable and last you a long time. If you are going to be a marine biologist doing a lot of dives, then you will not be a beginner for very long. I suggest that you get the idea that there is beginner equipment and expert equipment out of your head. The kind of equipment used by experts is really no more expensive than the kind of gear typically worn by beginners. I would probably fit into the category a lot of people would call expert, and the gear I wear probably costs less than the gear a lot of beginning divers wear. More importantly, the kind of gear preferred by experts is no more complicated to use and enjoy than the kind of gear often associated with beginners. When you start making plans for purchasing actual scuba gear, look for what will serve you best in your marine biologist role and skip any thoughts of starting with "beginner gear."

 

[TMHeimer]

I agree with John. Like buying a top of the line clarinet if you know you'll be playing for many years, as this will serve you best because your tone is better. But with scuba gear, well, my old used stuff has done quite well for me over the 8 years. If I were 20 and getting into commercial diving I'd get newer/better stuff.

 

[Bratface]

Get a quick dry towel from REI or another outdoor/sporting store. They are thin, dry everything and travel well, taking up little space. I've had mine for 8 years now, once dried the entire boat of divers after a big squall. Works like your car chamois.
A small dive light to look under ledges would be nice. Clip it to your BC or slip it in the pocket. Dry box to carry your cell phone, wallet and keys. Surface marker. Drinking bottle. Santa's coming, these things would be nice on your list.

 

[freewillie]

How about a mesh duffel bag instead? I have the same XS Scuba mesh back pack but find putting the gear through the top a little limiting. I would prefer the larger opening in the top the duffel bag provides. The back pack version doesn't always wheel that easily either and I have to be a little careful or it falls to the side when rolling. Other than that the bag itself is great. The plastic mesh if heavy duty and you won't have to worry about it ripping or tearing. It would allow you to hose off the gear or dunk it while still in the bag but it's more efficient to take the gear out and rinse properly.

Buy XS Scuba wheeled mesh duffel BG150 with reviews at scuba.com

 

[utzybuzzy]

Thanks for all the suggestions once again. I think my mom will go for the more inexpensive things, but out of curiosity what kind of wetsuit is good and where can you get good prices on them? I'm spending my junior year abroad in New Zealand and am not sure I can go diving there. I know there are all sorts for different temperatures, but is there a cheap beginner one I can get away with? Once again Thanks!

 

[Fundive123]

Depends where you're going to be doing most of your diving. If you're diving in cold waters, and want a inexpensive wetsuit, then this one might be of interest: (Neo Sport by Henderson 7 mm Farmer John & Jacket Men's Wetsuit | LeisurePro). Not sure how long it will holdup over the years though. I ordered one and only put 20 dives on it so far, but it's kept me nice and toasty in Monterey, CA waters.