What a great site

[Viper75]

I've been reading for a while, and have gotten some great equipment and dive destination information. One of the best things about SCUBA is that people are so passionate about it, that they'll come and spend endless hours helping others out on boards like this one.

Being from Calgary, AB, Canada, I don't have a lot of nearby dive destinations (unless you count the Westcoast which is a good day's drive). Having finished my rescue diver course last summer, I'm trying to decide if I've got the time to commit to a Dive Master's course this season.

Have a two week trip to Cancun/Cozamel coming up in a week in a bit, so I'm going to finally make the investment into some equipment.

I hope to be able to build up enough dive experiences in the near future that I'm able able to come and give tips/pointers/advice, and add to the knowledge depth of all the members here.

- W

 

[Sanaeo]

Hi Viper...I assume you will be purchasing a tropical wetsuit (like 3 mm)...we have done several dives in Cozumel (very nice, but I would simply caution you on staying aware...don't be paranoid, but keep your wits about you. The currents can be a bit deceiving, depending on where you are, and, of course, depending of the dive operation you go with, your group can be a little larger than ideal) and found the sea life wonderful.

There's a great little place across the way, a ferry ride from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen...drive south a few miles to PaaMul and meet up with the guys at www.Scubamex.com (John) are INCREDIBLE for the novice divers. They REALLY take care of you, and focus on comfort and safety first...then you get to enjoy the ride underwater, which can be very awesome. We always saw sea turtles (so awesome!) and once encountered a wall of Tarpon (cool!!! like a huge wall of silver!). Rarely more than 4-5 divers go out on Scubamex's boats, they are reliable and take good care of their divers. Another great dive spot is a little further south of PaaMul, in Akumal...some very nice dives there, too. Safe operators there, too...I may be off here, but it is my opinion that Cozumel is more for the acclimated diver...if you haven't done lots of diving, make sure you go with a dive operation that has a good reputation, and one that doesn't take a boat load of divers from the cruise ships with you.

Stay safe and have fun!
:turtle:

I've been reading for a while, and have gotten some great equipment and dive destination information. One of the best things about SCUBA is that people are so passionate about it, that they'll come and spend endless hours helping others out on boards like this one.

Being from Calgary, AB, Canada, I don't have a lot of nearby dive destinations (unless you count the Westcoast which is a good day's drive). Having finished my rescue diver course last summer, I'm trying to decide if I've got the time to commit to a Dive Master's course this season.

Have a two week trip to Cancun/Cozamel coming up in a week in a bit, so I'm going to finally make the investment into some equipment.

I hope to be able to build up enough dive experiences in the near future that I'm able able to come and give tips/pointers/advice, and add to the knowledge depth of all the members here.


- W

 

[DandyDon]

Howdy!

Welcome to SB!! :happywave Put us in your computer's favorites and check in often. This is a great place to learn, compare, argue

I would strongly recommend buying your own Octo-Reg, BC, Safety Sausage, Storm whistle, and weight belt & keepers before leaving the country again. Get to know it all well before you go, and keep it serviced.

don

 

[Viper75]

Hi Viper...I assume you will be purchasing a tropical wetsuit (like 3 mm)...we have done several dives in Cozumel (very nice, but I would simply caution you on staying aware...don't be paranoid, but keep your wits about you. The currents can be a bit deceiving, depending on where you are, and, of course, depending of the dive operation you go with, your group can be a little larger than ideal) and found the sea life wonderful.

There's a great little place across the way, a ferry ride from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen...drive south a few miles to PaaMul and meet up with the guys at www.Scubamex.com (John) are INCREDIBLE for the novice divers. They REALLY take care of you, and focus on comfort and safety first...then you get to enjoy the ride underwater, which can be very awesome. We always saw sea turtles (so awesome!) and once encountered a wall of Tarpon (cool!!! like a huge wall of silver!). Rarely more than 4-5 divers go out on Scubamex's boats, they are reliable and take good care of their divers. Another great dive spot is a little further south of PaaMul, in Akumal...some very nice dives there, too. Safe operators there, too...I may be off here, but it is my opinion that Cozumel is more for the acclimated diver...if you haven't done lots of diving, make sure you go with a dive operation that has a good reputation, and one that doesn't take a boat load of divers from the cruise ships with you.

Stay safe and have fun!
:turtle:

Thanks for the tips! I was planning on spending some time this weekend reading up on all the Cozamel threads from this board. We're actually staying just south of Playa Del Carmen for the first 10 days, and then going over to Cozamel for the rest of the trip, so your dive shop suggestion will be great.

While I've only got 25 dives or so in my dive book (mostly through courses, but have done some in Cuba and the Dominican as well), I'm very comfortable underwater. Grew up with a swimming pool in my backyard, and am pretty much a fish by nature. That being said, I would never underestimate how strong the currents might be. My fiancee (and dive buddy) isn't as comfortable diving as I am, so we'll be looking for some novice dives through well run operations where she'll feel safe, and I can spend more time enjoying the dive and not worrying constantly about her. (I'm not confusing the last sentance with the idea that I won't be constantly aware of my dive buddy, but both mine and her saftey are better if she's not stressed about the difficulty of the dive).

As for your suggestion about a wetsuit, I did pick up a cheap one (3mm shortie). I'm not a big fan of wetsuits as I have to be in REALLY cold water before my body temperature drops. Not sure why, but I just don't get the shivers very easily. Perhaps it's because after doing my AOW course in October while there was snow coming down, no other conditions can phase me :10:. All that being said, I'll probably become a bigger fan of the wetsuit after I've cut myself on some coral or rubbed up against a jelly fish.

 

[Viper75]

Howdy!

Welcome to SB!! :happywave Put us in your computer's favorites and check in often. This is a great place to learn, compare, argue

I would strongly recommend buying your own Octo-Reg, BC, Safety Sausage, Storm whistle, and weight belt & keepers before leaving the country again. Get to know it all well before you go, and keep it serviced.

don

I posted my semi-complete list of gear I'm looking to buy under the "general equipment" threads:

http://www.scubaboard.com/t54236.html

Please let me know if you have any suggestions for or against.

Thanks,

Wes

 

[justleesa]

Welcome aboard Viper!
I would also suggest to get your gear first as you need 60 dives to become a DM anyway.
Hope you have a good trip and keep us posted!
Aloha,
Lisa

 

[mobymark]

Have fun and be safe!!!

 

[Sanaeo]

Hey Wes...

Thanks for the reply! Just curious, how was the diving in Cuba? We have thought of going there a few times, but have heard the horror stories of difficulties getting there as a US Citizen. Is the sea life abundant and healthy?

I was also looking at your listing of gear, that you referenced. I am curious what you settled on by way of a regulator? Did you go with the Apeks or the Delta 3? Our regulators are close to 10 years old, and while they work fine (and we keep them serviced well), I had a funky experience with mine last time we were in Cozumel. After the first dive, we came up for our interval and had lunch...apparently the dive place cleared my reg (and everyone elses), but when they did it, the diaphragm had been curled by some air pressure when they cleared it...They had apparently blown air into it from both directions. I did my own clearing before going down, but my guess is that the curl had set in from the earlier clearing, and had somewhat settled and didn't go back to normal after I cleared it. By the way, I had no idea the dive shop had done this...Anyway, it was working fine, but at about 60' down, it started flooding. The pressure down there finally affected the tiny fold in the diaphragm and it couldn't hold the pressure any more...that's when it's time to get the octopus out...I am sure that the issue had nothing to do with quality of my regulator, but it would sure be nice to not have to worry about that happening again. It wasn't pleasant...for me, when something goes wrong at the onset of a dive, it's a little hard to completely shake it, especially when you know you don't have a secondary 'life' support system. I am thinking of getting a new regulator...one that is practically fool proof (if there is such a thing). I am sure that's too much (and inappropriate) to ask for, but, it's okay to have a wish list sometimes Anway, I was curious what you settled on...I am a bit out of the loop on the current popular regulators, and with all the hype and advertisements out there, it is not always clear what the best decision is. I'd rather rely on someone's first hand experience, rather than be swayed by a slick advertisement that promises the world.
:butnhome:

~S

Thanks for the tips! I was planning on spending some time this weekend reading up on all the Cozamel threads from this board. We're actually staying just south of Playa Del Carmen for the first 10 days, and then going over to Cozamel for the rest of the trip, so your dive shop suggestion will be great.

While I've only got 25 dives or so in my dive book (mostly through courses, but have done some in Cuba and the Dominican as well), I'm very comfortable underwater. Grew up with a swimming pool in my backyard, and am pretty much a fish by nature. That being said, I would never underestimate how strong the currents might be. My fiancee (and dive buddy) isn't as comfortable diving as I am, so we'll be looking for some novice dives through well run operations where she'll feel safe, and I can spend more time enjoying the dive and not worrying constantly about her. (I'm not confusing the last sentance with the idea that I won't be constantly aware of my dive buddy, but both mine and her saftey are better if she's not stressed about the difficulty of the dive).

As for your suggestion about a wetsuit, I did pick up a cheap one (3mm shortie). I'm not a big fan of wetsuits as I have to be in REALLY cold water before my body temperature drops. Not sure why, but I just don't get the shivers very easily. Perhaps it's because after doing my AOW course in October while there was snow coming down, no other conditions can phase me :10:. All that being said, I'll probably become a bigger fan of the wetsuit after I've cut myself on some coral or rubbed up against a jelly fish.

 

[DandyDon]

Please let me know if you have any suggestions for or against.

Don't have time to look at the list for a while, but for now:

1. Don't ever buy a Shorty. Wetsuits are important for more than thermal protiection, and leaving parts open invites injuiries;
2. Smaller items often missed, but I feel very important: Safety Sausage & Storm whistle;
3. Trustworth Octo-Reg - and service is annually;
4. Dependable BC - one you will know well;
5. You own weight belt and several keepers, even if you BC is weighted.

 

[Sanaeo]

Hi DandyDon,

Thanks for the reminders. I always "intend" to get a safety sausage, but always seem to forget when I get to shore...I am putting in my order today for one.

BTW, do you have any recommendations for a good, reliable, reasonably priced regulator? I visited several dive sites yesterday (such as Dive Toys, Leisure Pro (they have good prices!) and even perused Scuba.com. My regulator US Diver) is nearly 13 years old, and, while it's reliable, I think we are due to replace them. Any suggestions? I have seen a couple of dive places show rankings by an independent tester, "Scuba Lab". Is there any validity to this?

Thanks so much!!!!!

Don't have time to look at the list for a while, but for now:

1. Don't ever buy a Shorty. Wetsuits are important for more than thermal protiection, and leaving parts open invites injuiries;
2. Smaller items often missed, but I feel very important: Safety Sausage & Storm whistle;
3. Trustworth Octo-Reg - and service is annually;
4. Dependable BC - one you will know well;
5. You own weight belt and several keepers, even if you BC is weighted.