what to buy?

[firemanjoe]

I am thinking about buying some dive gear, but don't know what to get. I have a brand new wet suit (dove in about 5 times), access to tanks/bcd/weights/fins/mask. What should I get?!

 

[James R]

If I'm reading this right, you have a wetsuit and "access" to the rest meaning borrow. Also, I have no idea where you live or dive. All that said, I'd probably suggest you buy gear for yourself in this order:
1) mask/snorkel/fins
2) regs
3) bcd
4) dive lights
5) reel/smb

I think taking some specialties, especially the Rescue Diver course, would be a good idea too.

I have some of these things for sale - shameless plugs below:

brand new mask & snorkel, msrp for both is over 120 bucks, 50 shipped

Scubapro Knighthawk BCD, xl, less than a year old, 375 shipped

 

[firemanjoe]

If I'm reading this right, you have a wetsuit and "access" to the rest meaning borrow. Also, I have no idea where you live or dive. All that said, I'd probably suggest you buy gear for yourself in this order:
1) mask/snorkel/fins
2) regs
3) bcd
4) dive lights
5) reel/smb

I think taking some specialties, especially the Rescue Diver course, would be a good idea too.

I have some of these things for sale - shameless plugs below:

brand new mask & snorkel, msrp for both is over 120 bucks, 50 shipped

Scubapro Knighthawk BCD, xl, less than a year old, 375 shipped

Access meaning that it is gear from work that I have been recommended by my officers to use any time I dive to get more used to this exact equipment since I will be diving with it at work. The Rescue Diver course is required by work and I have already taken most of it (I think I have one or two more dives for it). Already they have put me through basic and advanced o/w, dry suit, and the rescue diver. They are going to put me through public safety diver, search and rescue/recovery diver and one other that I can't remember. I would like some of my own gear to use when I go so that I don't have to get everything from the station. But I'm not completely in the market for EVERYTHING right now.

I will look into your products you listed. The BCD is way too big for me (I'm a medium).

Thanks for your post!

 

[Mack Diver]

If I'm reading this right, you have a wetsuit and "access" to the rest meaning borrow. Also, I have no idea where you live or dive. All that said, I'd probably suggest you buy gear for yourself in this order:
1) mask/snorkel/fins
2) regs
3) bcd
4) dive lights
5) reel/smb

I think taking some specialties, especially the Rescue Diver course, would be a good idea too.

At # 2, I would insert a computer. A good wrist model allows you to take it where ever you go.

If you are diving w/ Fire Dept. equipment, you may be using a full face mask, although you don't mention it. Irregardless, you will need you rown mask. If you are diving full face, you need a back up mask in case you have to bail out of the full face.

A proper fitting mask is the most important piece of personal gear. Make sure you get one that fits you properly. This is not an item you should buy online. Go to your LDS and let them help you pick the right mask for you.

Once you get the mask, you can moce on to gettig boots and fins. Your dive team leader can advise you on what styles work best with the type of diving you will be doing.

For your training, see if they will add Nitrox to your training plan. Most S&R operations happen in fairly shallow waters and can take awhile to complete. Diving Nitrox is a natural fit for those scenarios.

 

[psiborg1812]

Agreed with the above posters, except on the issue of a computer. Computers, from what i've seen, often will cause the divers to be lax about their diving, and do not understand the theory and reasons behind ascent rates, letter groups, etc. Thus, they become lost when their computer breaks down and somebody puts a dive table in front of them. If you do get a computer, i would advise using it as a depth & time recorder and educate yourself about table theory before trusting your computer. Just so you have a backup computer in your skull when the one you are wearing craps out.

With gear, you can go to both extremes. Some of my best gear has come from Craigslist, and some of the worst has come from online stores. Think about what kind of diving you want to do, and where you want to go in your diving career, then plan your gear based on that. Do you want to do mostly vacation diving on reefs? Then maybe all you need is a mask, fins, booties and a snorkel, since you can rent most other gear at resorts. Do you want to do local diving on weekends that you are free? then think about getting a reg and a BCD as well. Are you interested in Cave/Wreck diving? then look through DIR & Hogarthian setups and see if those work for you.

Before you buy anything, try as many different configurations as possible. People will tell you that you can't do a backplate/wing for recreational diving, but they are full of crap. If you are near a shop that does tech diving, ask to see some of their configurations, as well as the recreational ones. Bottom line is whatever gear you buy will be with you a long while, you want to be sure ti fits you and that it is correct for the kind of diving you want to do.

Most dive shops have mask fin snorkel packages for less then everything individually, ask them about those.

Be careful about Craigslist, though. Make sure the gear works before you buy! Getting burned from a bad deal really stings. Let us know how it goes!

 

[driftwood]

I agree with Mack that your mask is the most important piece of gear you will buy. I would hit every shop close to you and try on as many as possible. Talk to the shop staff about their return policy. If they agree to take a return for a full refund, buy the best fitting mask they have. At the end of the day, you will have a selection of the best masks for your face. Also buy a slap strap for your mask.

One thing that a lot of divers neglect is how to keep their gear from danglling. Invest in some good retractors to keep things like guages and lights close to your body. You always know where your equipment is and it is less likely to get tangled. Also, when you are doing S/R dives they are likely to be in poor vis and you may be diving by brail. Gear retractors keep your gear secure freeing up your hands to search.

Boots and fins. Buy the boots first then look for fins that fit and make the system work together. Assume that you will have to dive in currents. That will limit the fins suitable for you. One thing that I highly recommend is buying springs for your fins. So much easier to put them on/off and they will reduce leg cramps.

 

[psiborg1812]

I know i might start an international war with this one, but please don't buy split fins! They are only good for one kind of kick, and they won't give you the maneuverability that you need if you are doing S& R.

 

[Crazyduck]

Agree'd only pair of split fins and they broke Literally... while assisting in a rescue class.
That made the rescue alot more work.

Andrew

I know i might start an international war with this one, but please don't buy split fins! They are only good for one kind of kick, and they won't give you the maneuverability that you need if you are doing S& R.

 

[k-valve]

I know i might start an international war with this one, but please don't buy split fins! They are only good for one kind of kick, and they won't give you the maneuverability that you need if you are doing S& R.

Split fins suck. I've had them...paid a ton of $ for 'em too. I don't care what the dive industry says they do not give you the same level of propulsion at pair of good ol' school fins will (Turtles, Jets, Slipstreams). There are some variations in materials to consider. I like the OMS Slipstreams...old school design, made with a lighter, yet very durable material...and you can really move in them. The only way I'd recommend split fins would be for someone with knee, hip or ankle problems. They are definitely easier on the joints if you have those kinds of issues to contend with.

 

[k-valve]

Back on topic...

Buy a rebreather...and while you're there get me one too!