what all do i need?

[Teamdominion25]

Hello,
I am quite new to diving and just had my first "discover" dive in the Virgin Islands last week. I immidiatly fell in love with the sport and are looking to getting certified soon. I already own mask, fins, and snorkel and I know that I will need to purchase a BC, Regulator, and tank, but what else do i need? Also, any suggestions on the brand or model i should buy. Im looking to try to keep the price down, yet buy a worthwhile piece of equipment...no junk!

Thanks

 

[Halthron]

I think some items will be dependent on where you dive but I'll list a few suggestions:

1) Safety sausage (inflatable attention getter)
2) Shears/knife (I prefer the shears)
3) Some sort of light

 

[UndrWatrDan]

I already own mask, fins, and snorkel and I know that I will need to purchase a BC, Regulator, and tank, but what else do i need? Thanks

I strongly believe that after mask, fins and snorkel, the BCD and regulator are the most important items to purchase. These items provide life support and taken care of and maintained, they will last for years. Rental equipment in many locations can be scary to look at and unreliable. You have to justify the purchase of tanks. Are you going to be diving enough to make the purchase worthwhile? If you spend 150.00 for a tank and only dive 2 or 3 times a year, renting a tank may be more cost effective, but if you're going to dive everyday, once a week or several times a month, then purchasing a tank will make sense. What else do you need? I think another critical piece of gear is a dive computer. I've been diving for 30+ yrs and didn't really start using a computer until 3 yrs ago, and now don't like to dive without one. Other equipment that you might need will depend on where you're going to dive, but a slate, safety sausage, knife or shears, and wetsuit are all pretty much standard equipment.

 

[Rick Murchison]

1) Safety sausage (inflatable attention getter)
2) Shears/knife (I prefer the shears)
3) Some sort of light

Slate
Compass
Spool or reel
Computer
---
Then, you develop a "hobby within the hobby" and the real expenses begin...
e.g.
Cameras
Housings
Strobes
Dry suit
etc, etc, ad nauseum...
Rick

 

[BabyDuck]

while i absolutely agree that purchasing a bc is safer and will be cheaper and make you happier in the long run, i'd like to put in a plug to try many styles out in the water before you buy, both for fit and function. i was happy with mine until i started noticing gaps in the shoulder straps at depth with the cinches as tight as they could go, and that the cummerbund hits at my hips, not my waist, etc. so i'm making the switch to the dark side & bought a bp this week with wing to come soon. anyway, try lots of stuff out before you decide.

 

[downdeep]

A subscription to Dive Training magazine. Your dive shop owner can probably provide a complimentary copy.

 

[The Kraken]

Baby Duck, I'm mortally wounded . . . .

. . . but I'll get over it.

Good for you !!! Enjoy it, I know you will.

the K

 

[BabyDuck]

sorry, babe. but if you'll go to wreckmaniac, you'll see i posted i'm saving up for custom! you need to learn how to enamel though, so i can get a pink one. (this one was ebay...)

 

[Wayward Son]

Money! Lot's & lots of money! My dive shop is just where I keep all my money, LOL

Just make sure you think things through & buy the gear that suits you & your type of diving, and fits properly.

Ditto the Dive Training subscription, it's a great magazine. Especially for new divers, you're going to be learning from that one for a long time.

 

[utnapistim]

hi,

here's something you could try:
go to http://labs.google.com/sets, and type the following terms (one per box):
BCD
regulator
fins

then hit "Small Set" button. It will give you a list of search terms/items related to scuba. For starters you might want to check TrippleL company for good BCDs at low prices (I have an Orion from trippleL myself and am VERY happy with it).

regarding brands and models ... everyone's recommending their favorites (like i just did ).

usually, quality-wise you could look at the consacrated scuba gear companies like scubapro, mares, tusa, oceanic, aqualung, apeks, dacor, cressi-sub, ikelite (for lights). I'm sure i missed quite a few .

(if you type three of these names into the google sets link i gave you above, you'll get the rest of them )



regarding prices, as far as i understand:
BCDs range in price from around 200USD to ... 800? 900? i don't know for sure;

regulators (that's first stage + second stage + octo + SPG = all you were probably given at the discover dive you did) you can find starting at a minimum of 4-500 USD (but these are the cheapest and your life depends on them the most - they don't make a very reliable impression to me)

also, if you go into diving you should probably consider buying a pair of open-heel fins; those use neoprene boots which you'll use when going to the dive sites, or in between dives; i just bought a pair of them, and untill now i cut my bare feet on the rocks a couple of times, and stepped on a sea-urchin once)
these are priced starting from 50-60 USD (fins + neoprene boots).