What do you see as the most important "first piece of kit to buy"?

[bradlw]

I'm starting to think about kitting up my family now that they are all certified.
But if I buy for everyone, that's x4 divers $$$

They all, of course, have their masks, fins, snorkels, and booties.
We found a nice 5mm full suit for one daughter
I have my old Zeagle BC that my son could use, since I use my single BP and wing harness now

There's a guy not far away that has a used gear shop. Thinking about going there to see if anything fits.

I'm thinking that finding good BC that fits well is probably the highest priority more so than regulators.

Probably computers second so tehy can start getting used to what it's telling them.

what do ya'll think

 

[tursiops]

• Number one is a well-fitting mask. But they ahve those.
• I agree; learning a computer is important. Renting one that is a mystery to you is common, and unwise.
• Many think a reg set is the next purchase; if it is yours, you know its history, condition, and quirks.
• Exposure suits are high on the list, particularly if anybody is oddly shaped/sized.
• BCDs ae easily rentable, fairly robust, and all work pretty much the same. Not much to learn/get used to. The are also a pain to travel with...heavy and bulky.

 

[MB NZ]

After basic snorkel gear...

1. Wetsuit (if prone to feeling cold or diving in cooler waters)
2. Dive computer
3. BCD
4. Regulators

 

[Wants2divemore]

I think whether to buy wetsuit or computer next depends on how old your children are. If they're still growing a lot, you might only get 1 season out of the wetsuit. If you plan to dive a lot and they're still growing, you could see if a local dive shop is selling any of their old rental suits (or find used wetsuits somewhere else.) They might be a bit compressed, but it would probably be cheaper than renting a lot for 1 season. If they're still growing but you're not going to dive much, it probably makes more sense to rent the wetsuits.

If you buy dive computers, my advice would be for everyone to have the same computer, or at least everyone running the same algorithm and set to the same level of conservatism. The added bonus of that is that if you ever want to go on a dive trip yourself you can borrow one of their computers for a backup computer for yourself.

 

[TNEngineer]

Mask first. Computer with future AI option second. Air and BCD third. Then fins. Cold water protection in there somewhere if needed.

Note this is the opposite order of renting priority.