Which First: Equipment or Training?

[Jax]

In lurking about ScubaBoard, I watch with interest the threads on training and equipment, especially advancing past your AOW . . .

There are a bunch of instructors that say &#8220;I won&#8217;t train someone on <doubles, sidemount, fundies, etc.> unless the individual has their own equipment. You can&#8217;t demo a drysuit (so I&#8217;m told) unless you have a drysuit card . . . but what if you cannot rent a drysuit to get a drysuit class? (e.g., landlocked AZ)

As a basic diver, I observe there are as many opinions of equipment as there are equipments . . . One can &#8216;listen&#8217; and form opinions, but would it not be sensible to get the training first, develop one&#8217;s own opinion from that training plus others&#8217; opinions? Then one might make a more considered opinion of what equipment is &#8216;better&#8217;, than the unfortunate situation of &#8220;what did you buy that you regret?&#8221;.

Also, there is the situation where one might go through training; say, doubles, and find they do not wish to dive doubles. Now they are forced to sell.

I would like to hear from ScubaBoard &#8211; both instructors who require 'own' equipment and those who bought equipment first &#8211; how did that work for you?

Edit: I am not talking about the standard equipment of diving . . . I'm talking about doubles, sidemount, different equipment for cave / wreck / tec, etc.

That is a huge investment for someone who may or may not continue diving those environments . . .

 

[TMHeimer]

I'd think it would depend on the eqipment in question and the shop. For example, for Rescue Course you'd most likely have to have your own pocket mask because you need one once certified. For Search & Recovery they'd probably provide the lift bag because you may never do a S & R dive after certified. You'd think doubles would be provided, but I guess it would depend on the shop.

 

[Kevin Carlisle]

Jax the easiest way to go is to find a mentor that has the gear you can try. Here in cave country you can rent just about everything. Talk to instructors of the type of diving you want to get into and when you find one you like get his opinion. MOst gear is very versatile, backmounted tanks become sidemount in just a few minutes. No need to sell them.

 

[ScubaSam]

You can’t demo a drysuit (so I’m told) unless you have a drysuit card . . . but what if you cannot rent a drysuit to get a drysuit class? (e.g., landlocked AZ)

Jax - DUI has demo days at local watering holes throughout the country, are any of these locations near you?

2010 DOG Rally Participating Dealers

As for instructors requiring students to "own" their own equipment, I have not fournd that to be the case in my area. For my last two training classes, Intro to Tech and Fundamentals, both instructors were willing to loan equipment to the students.

You should "interview" or speak with the instructor beforehand to see if he/she is a good fit for where you want your training and your dive path to go. Gear and instructor choices are very personal decisions.

 

[parzdiver]

Jax - I definitely see your dilemma. I believe I am agreeing with you in that you need to be able to rent (beg, borrow, steal) any equipment for a particular training class to see if you want to continue use of such equipment.

If I read correctly, you mention the particular instance of not being able to rent a drysuit to take the drysuit class because you don't have a drysuit cert to rent a drysuit. Any shop should rent a drysuit to you if you show evidence of being enrolled in a drysuit class, especially if the instructor is affiliated with the shop.

An instructor has absolutely no business knowing or caring if the equipment you are using in a class is owned rented or borrowed. Independent instructors don't have their own stock and cannot provide equipment for the class, but as long as you have it, it shouldn't matter where and how you got it. If the instructor says you MUST own the equipment or has other qualifications, find a new instructor.

A demo on a drysuit doesn't require a drysuit cert, since on a demo you should be provided with some level of basic instruction and assistance. I know the DUI demo days and others provided by my local dive shop don't require a cert.

Hope this helps in some way.

 

[Jax]

Maybe I should move to the Northeast for a month!


Oh, H***, NO! :cold:

 

[Kevin Carlisle]

Maybe I should move to the Northeast for a month!


Oh, H***, NO! :cold:

Keep in mind the demo days they refer too have safety divers in the water. Its not actually you getting to take it home and try. I don't know if dealers have any you can do that with in your area but here we have places that will. I don't think you need the card either.

 

[a22shady]

We got certified last year and Kinda did both. We took our OW/Drysuit/Nitrox we got a great deal on Drysuit/Nitrox which is only reason we took them all together. Then basically Purchased all of our gear except for tanks. That was all the training for the year. Alot of peoepl do AOW right after OW but we decided to go with our gear and do some more classes such as AOW next year. So basically Once we got certified and had our gear our goal was simply to get used to diving and comfortable in our gear. Last year we did around 30 Dives no it did not take all those dives to get comfortable. But for us I think this approach was best. It gave us time to focus on everything. I feel we can actually get more out of the class's now then I could before as I will be more prepared and able to exucute as our trim/buyoancy is key'd in. For our equipment we thought of things that interest us and what we might do in future and bought our equipment based on that.

BCD -- Halcyon Eclipse **They had a special get a double wing for $100 so we got that too**
Reg's -- Scubapro MK17/G250V we dive in norheast so wanted a great cold water reg.
Hoses -- Miflex Long/Short configuration
Computer-- She went wrist mount with Pressure guage clipped off // I got the Pro plus 2
Drysuit-- After a lot of research and comparison between all suits it came down to DUI TLS350/ BAre Tri-lam HD TEch Dry. We chose the Bare liked it more and better price, tougher looking exterior. Undergarments went with Fourth Element Arctic

 

[Jax]

Yeah . . . before I spend $2500 on a drysuit, I'd want to try my top three or four.

However, traveling somewhere to spend time in a class would add another thou to the cost!

 

[TechBlue]

It all depends on the class and level of the training, once divers get past AOW and start looking at EANX and Adv EANX they should be investing in their own basic equipment, if they don't how are the going to develop their skills? My class ratios never exceed 4:1 all classes require pool sessions first. If a student is not proficient or capable of working with the rest of the class they will either be required to take additional training or leave the class.

I think as you know if you are spending any amount of time in the water you will find it more economical and comfortable to be using your own equipment. Normally most divers looking at diving with doubles will have a few sets of singles and stage bottles already and are either looking for longer bottom times or deeper diving. The real key is to hopefully meet the right people as early as possible to avoid being sold the normal gambit of recreational dive gear and buy equipment that will evolve with you.

For each of my classes there is a list of required equipment which the student needs to own, and they should not be diving without them anyway so that is a no brainer

Most shops will do a drysuit demo or rental for somebody looking into buying one. Doubles and stages can be rented and I don&#8217;t have a problem with that, rebreathers are something else I can understand why you may want to do try dives on a number of units but training is unit specific and if you don&#8217;t buy a unit either before you start training or very soon afterwards you are doing yourself a disservice and should then also do a refresher course when you do get your unit.