Wondering what the next step is...

[Platypus8321]

Hello again. Just received my temp. certification card, and other information in the mail- how exciting! (I feel like a new member to an oober-cool secret society that most "ordinary" people haven't the slightest clue about! HeHe ) So, now I'm wondering what the next step should be as far as equipment goes. I'd like to work on getting pieces together during the colder months and be ready for some serious diving when the warm months get here. What should be bought first (just in case an opportunity comes up between now and next spring to blow some bubbles), what pieces are best to "splurge" on and what pieces (if any) can afford to be less "fancy"? I'm not used to having such an expensive hobby,:dollar: so education on the equipment is important to me so I know what I'm getting! Any advice would be great! Thanks!
:mostlysunSunny

 

[Wendy]

First just rent gear for awhile so you can try different stuff and decide for yourself what it is that you will be happy with. Don't buy something without trying it in the water first. Go and and dive, dive, dive and get lots of experience and become proficient at what you learned in class. Just becuz you are no longer in class doesn't not mean that you can't practice stuff you learned in class.

 

[The Kraken]

Needless to say, you should already own your mask, snorkle* and fins.
The following is my OPINION of the order in which you should purchase your gear.:

1: BC
2: Exposure protection
3: Regulator (to include SPG and depth gauge)
4: Dive Computer*
*If desired

Don't skimp on the BC and regulator, these are the staples of life.

All of the SPG's and depth gauges are, for the most part, equivalent. There are other things to consider in exposure protection, but I'm not going to get into that right now.

My reasoning:

You need to feel intimately comfortable in your BC and exposure protection to enable you to maximize and establish good buoyancy control. These are very personal items in your rig.

Your reglulator and gauges can be rented for a period. I surmise that you're a relatively new diver, therefore you won't be doing any technical diving for a while so most any rental rig will suffice your current level of diving.

A dive computer is actually an accessory without which one can live, they're just nice to have.

Just my opinion.

 

[whitedragon13]

Personally, I would go with a regulator set up as early as possible. Rental gear takes a good beating...in fact, my LDS loaned my buddy and me some regs while ours were in for annuals. My buddy's was a demo reg and freeflowed at depth 3 times. Spooked him a little and wasted a good bit of air.

If you have your own reg, you know where it's been and how well it's been taken care of.

 

[scubasean]

First, I agree with Wendy that you should rent everything for a bit, until you know enough about the different types of gear and what you like.

Second, I'd buy exposure protection first, because that is what is often going to make or break your dive...Keeping warm, and using a wetsuit/drysuit that you know the history of...(where its been...heh) is often important.

I'd probably buy the reg second...complete with SPG, compass, and depth guage.

 

[mccabejc]

I feel like a new member to an oober-cool secret society that most "ordinary" people haven't the slightest clue about!

Ahh...obviously a new member. Hasn't yet learned that we are not an "oober" cool secret society, we are "uber" cool. (Note to newbie: "uber" is German for "above" or "over").

You may be referring to the "Goober" Society, a bunch of hicks from....well, I don't want to start a flame war, so let's just leave it at that.

Congratulations on your certification. I'm new too, and I just went out and bought everything. The kit AND the kaboodle. Though I can't give you a rational reason why. Maybe just to be like the cool folks

 

[Wijbrandus]

After I bought the basics, I picked up my bcd first. My LDS rents quality regs (Mk25/S600), so I wasn't worried about getting something less than desirable.

I felt that the need for good bouyancy skills far outweighs the small risk you have in a rental regulator. I'm now very comfortable in my bcd, and I know exactly how much weight I need in the usual environments I dive. Rental regulators just don't change that number.

Also, owning your own wetsuit is very nice because rental wetsuits have varying levels of bouyancy depending on their age and other factors.

Finally, I didn't want to max out a credit card buying a bunch of stuff, and renting a variety of regulators has allowed me to make a far more educated purchase when I do lay down the cash. I did the same thing with my bcd, and have absolutely no regrets now in mine.

 

[Scuba65]

First of all i want to say Congratulations and welcome to the secret society of underwater fellowship! I myself would go with a good set of regulators, but you also want to try out different one's to see which one would suit you best and which you would like best.

 

[yknot]

The advice to rent first always sounds good but isn't practical. Only rent when you don't have the money for a major gear purchase or if you aren't certain you will dive enough to justify the up front expense. Rental gear is going to usually be something sturdy and also whatever brand and model the LDS has been offered a discount for by their local distributor. Nothing wrong with it for you as a beginning diver, BTW. If you don't believe me, try and rent a Poseidon Xstreme reg set or an Apeks ATX 200. The best thing you can do now is join a local dive club. Actually going diving as a newbie can be intimidating-what do I need, where should I go, why am I experiencing uncontroled bouyant ascents, etc. A club will get you diving and expose you to all skill levels and very different types of equipment. Most dive fanatics would rather talk about their gear than their kids. If you would also be so courteous as to bring enough imported beer to share, chances are you can try lots of different stuff for free and may even find people nice enough to sell you perfectly adequate used gear at very good prices.

 

[CAPX28]

I would DEFINATELY heed the advice of others and try some diffrent equipment first. NO one gear is right for everyone ( although a lot of people would dissagree) And wasting a lsrge amount of $$$ on something you dont like, never makes for a good day.

I would also start with the bc to get your boyancy down.
Nd of course try afew of theese as well. Just the diffrence in rear inflation and jacket style is huge an dnot all fit the same.

Next i would also get exposure suit. Cant beat a good fitting suit. much more confy and warm.

THen the reg. Jus got a new one for me and it was a long, but fun,process

And gauges, most anyones will do

Last the computer, as this is mostly a luxury

And thats my $.02