Starting OW Certification Course

[JBaker]

I will be starting my certification next month. Although before I can start I need to buy a couple Items. Here is where you all come in.

Here is what I need to buy, I just need help in buying good gear and not junk!

Mask ( I wear glasses so I will need some thing roomy
Fins
Boots

:06:
Thanks
Baker

 

[The Kraken]

JB,

A hearty "WELCOME" to the ScubaBoard ! ! !

If you try wearing your glasses while you're wearing your mask, you're gonna have one heck of a leakage problem.

the K

 

[speedhound]

Hi there Baker.
I'd be tempted to put your wallet away until you start the class. Most OW classes will go through different styles of kit, and how/why to choose them. I doubt if you'll be able to fit glasses under most masks. Depending on what level of correction you need, you have the options of going without, getting a "stick-in" magnifying lens to put in one side of your mask (for viewing gauges), through to getting a mask especially fitted with your prescription. The mask in particular can be a "personal" fit, as not all masks and faces are made the same - even between masks by the same manufacturer - so it is best to try them on first to find one that does fit you well.


Of course once you decide what you want to buy, there are the great debates of buying on the internet vs LDS, and paying cheap now, to buy better (more expensive) later. There are threads on that here too!

PS Welcome to the SB!! Dive safe, and have fun!

 

[lai_rallos]

kraken is right, its gonna be a problem if you're going to use glasses. i suggest you use contact lens instead, coz its what i do when i dive...and depends where you're from, i suggest you should get some wetsuit, either full or shorties...

good luck!

-lai-

 

[AaronR103]

You're either gonna want to get a mask with prescription inserts, or wear contacts. I wear contacts, and despite what some may tell you they are not that much of a pain. Just have to be careful to keep my eyes shut when clearing the mask. There are quite a few threads on here that should point you in the right direction on any piece of gear. The most important thing with the mask is that it fits well. After that, I like my frameless mask as it has a low profile and is tough to break. Try out different kinds of fins in the pool before you buy. There are a number of different kinds and styles, and everyone has their own opinion on what is best, so it's best to form an opinion of your own before dropping money on something you may or may not like. Good luck with the class.

A

 

[Tollie]

Hi Jbaker and welcome,

Your instructor will give you some guidence in your equipment selection so speak with him or her.

My advice to you is that you will be much happier with a mask that has your perscription lenses. Students can use contacts but it makes clearing, especially in salt water more challenging. If a lens becomes dislodged you could have a problem and basic o/w training should not add problems. Get the perscription mask.

 

[DumboDiver]

Baker -
I agree with the others on this thread that you'll either have to get a mask that can accept a correction insert or wear contacts. I wear glasses but don't need any correction underwater. It depends on how bad your eyes are. Remember, everything is magnified underwater. You'll probably want to test out a few fins in the pool before you decide. Everyone's legs are different. Make sure your LDS will let you test fins in the pool and return them if they're not comfortable. If they won't, look for another shop. As for boots, you'll want to get the correct thickness for the environment you'll be diving in, i.e., cold water, warm water, etc.

Good luck and welcome!

 

[NCSCUBADOOBA]

Hi,
I , too, am new to diving. I got a mask with prescription "pop in" lenses from my LDS. I love them. Would hate to cancel a dive b/c my contacts acted up!
Angela

 

[DeputyDan]

Dear Mr. JBaker:

I both agree and disagree with the previous comments:

My advice is almost the same but with a twist.

As everyone said, the wearing glasses just is not going to work, so what do you do?

I would suggest that you purchase a mask, where the lenses can be individually replaced with prescription lenses. Then give the contact lenses approach a go. Some folks have no problem at all (Me for one) and others have difficulty. If the contact lense approach does not work, then you can have prescription lenses ordered and put in your mask. This way you have given the contact lenses approach a try and at the same time have had to purchase only one mask.

This was the apporach suggested by my LDS when I started open water.

It's the same LDS that NCSCUBADOOBA uses by the way.

 

[zinnia7]

I too was worried about wearing contacts while diving. But so far, they have not given me any problems. I bought a month's supply of the 1 day disposables so if I would happen to lose one or it gets too dirty, I have a fresh pair every day. And extras!!

I also recommend trying masks with a purge valve. I think these masks are invaluable to contact lens wearers. They are very easy to clear. But again..it all depends on which mask fits your face best. I was lucky that the purge mask I wanted fit me perfectly!