I am nearly finished with my DM program, and I know I need to upgrade my gear fairly soon.
I accept that looking professional is a valid requirement. My other main hobby is umpiring baseball. In baseball, showing up in a clean uniform with pressed trousers and shined shoes puts money in the "credibility bank" and makes coaches more willing to accept my authority, so I get it that a DM ought to look the part, too.
At present, I have an entry-level jacket-style BCD and regulator set.
I've come to dislike the jacket BC, so I'd want to get something less restrictive even if I weren't becoming a DM. I am inclined to get some sort of back-inflate like a Zeagle Ranger or ScubaPro Knighthawk. Open to ideas.
However, my bargain bin regulator has given me no cause for complaint, and I think it breathes just as easy and drier than more expensive ones my fellow students have. Should I replace it just because it screams "LeisurePro Clearance!" when you look at it? Are there safety or performance reasons I should know about?
I believe I will find Deep6 wetsuits under the Christmas tree tomorrow, so that part of my kit should be all set.
The instructors at the LDS where I'm training are cave divers, so they all have similar-looking Dive-Rite rigs. I don't expect to follow them into the dark places they go, so I don't see the need to imitate their gear.
I would be grateful to hear from instructors, charter captains, shop owners and other veterans of the business on what they want to see in a DM's gear, what's essential, what's not, what's a no-no, what's too "extra," what's a waste of time, what makes someone look professional, what doesn't. I'm especially interested in any related thoughts on safety and reliability--but general appearances and functionality are important, too.
Once I finish the DM program, I may try to do occasional gigs on local 6-pack charters, but will mostly be helping with classes and conducting Discover Local Diving trips for the shop where I'm getting certified. Warm water, open water stuff.
Also, IDC is a strong possibility, maybe as early as April, possibly under Capt. Wyatt and his team. I only want to upgrade gear once.
I accept that looking professional is a valid requirement. My other main hobby is umpiring baseball. In baseball, showing up in a clean uniform with pressed trousers and shined shoes puts money in the "credibility bank" and makes coaches more willing to accept my authority, so I get it that a DM ought to look the part, too.
At present, I have an entry-level jacket-style BCD and regulator set.
I've come to dislike the jacket BC, so I'd want to get something less restrictive even if I weren't becoming a DM. I am inclined to get some sort of back-inflate like a Zeagle Ranger or ScubaPro Knighthawk. Open to ideas.
However, my bargain bin regulator has given me no cause for complaint, and I think it breathes just as easy and drier than more expensive ones my fellow students have. Should I replace it just because it screams "LeisurePro Clearance!" when you look at it? Are there safety or performance reasons I should know about?
I believe I will find Deep6 wetsuits under the Christmas tree tomorrow, so that part of my kit should be all set.
The instructors at the LDS where I'm training are cave divers, so they all have similar-looking Dive-Rite rigs. I don't expect to follow them into the dark places they go, so I don't see the need to imitate their gear.
I would be grateful to hear from instructors, charter captains, shop owners and other veterans of the business on what they want to see in a DM's gear, what's essential, what's not, what's a no-no, what's too "extra," what's a waste of time, what makes someone look professional, what doesn't. I'm especially interested in any related thoughts on safety and reliability--but general appearances and functionality are important, too.
Once I finish the DM program, I may try to do occasional gigs on local 6-pack charters, but will mostly be helping with classes and conducting Discover Local Diving trips for the shop where I'm getting certified. Warm water, open water stuff.
Also, IDC is a strong possibility, maybe as early as April, possibly under Capt. Wyatt and his team. I only want to upgrade gear once.