Very New To SCUBA

[Fat_Tony]

I am very new to SCUBA. I went to a number of dive shops and read a bunch of stuff online about SCUBA. I then decided to sign up for PADI OW course which starts very soon.

I chose to do a course that the cost was fixed and was all inclusive. I did this for a number of reasons I did not want to fork out a bunch of money for more sport equpiment that I might never get the full use of.

After getting my course material and reading the first bit I began to get very excited and interested in what I was reading and really wanted to see what it would be like to breath underwater.

What gear should I buy if I really like this activity? (I do have a limited budget)

Is there any gear from certain companies that should be avoided?

Should I start with new gear or used gear?

The one thing I have noticed at all the shops I have been to is that no one is pushy or trying to get you buy the most expensive. If anything I have noticed they seem concerned about the fit and how you feel about the gear. Is this common in the SCUBA world?

Are there many dive clubs in Ottawa, On that are open to accepting new members?

Thank you for you time.

Paul

 

[Butch103]

....I cannot speak for anyone but myself onthis issue. 1st of all welcome to the board and scubadiving. I think you will find that divers in general are more friendly than any other "group" around. Again in general, most divers are quite happy to help out any new diver with questions they may have.

1) gear.... try out as many different styles and brands as you can. If you can try out the various gear in pool dives...do it.

2) clubs...usually welcome all newcomers...they will help you out with tips and club dives they usually match you up with senior divers, DMs, or even an instructor. Don't be intimidated

3) as far as the budget goes..again many different thoughts. I feel buy your own gear asap. That way you can always dive and not worry about having to rent the gear. You can always buy up in quality of gear later. With you own gear you can become comfortable with it, and not have to adjust each time as you would with rental.

Buying used gear is a touchy subject for some. Personally used gear from someone you know is probably ok....e-bay is ok for non-life dependant gear......wetsuits, fins etc....Regs and BCs should be bought from a dealer.....

Again this is IMHO....I have only been diving since "99" so there are a lot more experienced folks on this board who may have better thoughts than I......

 

[taz22]

Fat_Tony once bubbled...
I am very new to SCUBA. I went to a number of dive shops and read a bunch of stuff online about SCUBA. I then decided to sign up for PADI OW course which starts very soon.

Are there many dive clubs in Ottawa, On that are open to accepting new members?

Thank you for you time.

Paul

Paul, if you have signed up for a Dive Course at an Ottawa shop, chances are good that you'll probably do some open water dives in Brockville as we have a number of area's that are perfect for people learning scuba. Please check out the thread titles OFWF Dive and BBQ on July 26th. A number of the people on this board from Ontario are going to gather in Brockville to do some shore diving and have dinner. You are more than welcome to join us.

As to dive equipment, I believe in buying your own and trying to get the best quality products since it lasts longer. Rental gear leaves you a the mercy of what is available when you get to the shop.

Also, I firmly believe in buying gear from a Local Dive Shop rather than over the internet. If problems crop up and I have seen them do so, it is easier to deal with a local store than someone miles away that already has your money and could care less.

 

[SneakyB'tard]

Welcome,

If you are a gov employee then FSAC is an excellent group to join.

http://www.ontariodiver.com/index2.htm

If not the Ottawa Beavers are one of the largest clubs in Eastern Ontario.

http://www.obsc.ca/obscsite/index.asp

 

[knives]

Hi

I totally agree with buying your own gear . rentals are not always in good working order and I never did feel confident until I bought my own reg and BCD.
Try out a few different styles , as i bought my gear too quickly and then wish I had a different set up after started to really get into it. You can always trade up , but I found it a pain selling my used gear and wish i would have spent more time on the different choices and made a better choice the first time.

There is lots of info on this board and lots of people to get together and dive with...if you ever come to kingston land want to dive let me know I am there often doing shore dives and boat dives....

...later Anne

 

[SubMariner]

First, FT, welcome to scuba. It sounds like you are well connnected in terms of your instruction.

1) Buying vs. Renting Gear. If you find the gear you use at your LDS to be in good working order for your confined water sessions, there is no reason to believe that you cannot rent good gear from them as well. Most shops have one pool of gear to use for both rental and confined water. You can try gear from different shops, renting it for the weekend & playing in the pool with it.
I usually tell my students to buy their "personal gear": mask, fins, and snorkel and rent the rest until they have done a bit of diving past their initial certification. That way they do not wind up making a large $$$ investment in the sport before they see just how much diving they actually do. Sadly, many people wind up only doing one dive vacation a year, or lose interest once they get certified. And to have all that gear sitting around gathering dust... well, it's a waste of $$$ and space.

2) New or Used? With regs you can get a good reliable used set from the LDS at a fraction of the cost of a new one. Usually LDS's get such a good deal from the equipment mfg that they would be crazy NOT to turn their over their rental gear yearly. So you wind up with a well maintained reg with octo & gauges for a great price. BCs, however, do not always fare as well, and you have to carefully inspect them for wear & tear, especially in the LPI.

As others have said, I would not buy any gear off the Internet until you are more experienced. Otherwise you will not really know what you are buying and whether or not it will fit your diving style.

Anyways, good luck with your class. And remember: have fun!

Feel free to email me if you have any other questions.

~SubMariner~

 

[Fat_Tony]

Thank you for the info guys...

Paul