Tiny Bubbles
Since my friend Jason has started his open water certification class I've been increasingly obsessed with scuba diving myself. I have been trolling scuba message boards, looking at manufacturer's websites, drooling over their products, and bemoaning the price of said merchandise. There is a big debate in my head about whether or not to get my own gear and what caliber of gear to possible get. I would like to take the advanced open water course (hopefully Roland would want to take it with me) and it seems like taking more classes and just going diving in general would be exponentially better/easier/more enjoyable with my own stuff. I would really like to have my own gear, but am still unsure what to get as I've never gone on a dive here in Florida (a matter of some distress to me). What thickness wetsuit, what style of wetsuit, which kind of BCD, etc. I thought I knew which BC I wanted but now I'm really not so sure. I don't think I like the alternate air source and prefer an octopus. Then I thought about this one, but again now I'm not so sure. Then again I liked the dive center we used to go to and they really only do Aqualung products and really like them. They were so friendly and helpful and so...far away now. I wish there was a mentor program or something.
posted by Susan at 9:22 PM
1 Comments:
I just posted a new entry on my blog that describes what I'm considering purchasing. For what it's worth I've heard that on Florida's east coast a 3mm shorty is appropriate in the summer but that a 3mm full suit provides more protection from stinging creatures. Many still wear the 3mm in the winter although quite a few go up to a 5mm. I've heard from some that have gone all the way to a 7mm. I guess if it were me I'd call some local dive shops to see what people are diving. I'll be erring on the side of too much insulation on the theory that I can always flood the suit with some cold water to cool off if necessary. Of course renting a couple different thicknesses would be a really good excuse to go on some dives :)
The BCD is a tough one. I've really come to enjoy the back-inflate I've been renting but I don't have the female proportions that cause so much chaos. Personally I'd recommend trying one out some time and seeing what you think.
The best sites I've found are
http://www.scuba.com and http://www.scubatoys.com. Both sell only the stuff they're authorized for which means you still get the full manufacturer warranty. Scuba.com will also match any online price, including the gray market dealers who aren't authorized retailers.
I agree with you on the BCD integrated alternate air source. I've read some troubling things about them and would definitely prefer an octo for myself.
Of course if you do end up with your own equipment you'd be able to do shore dives for no more than the cost of a rental tank or fill... and you're situated on some of the best diving in North America. I'm jealous...
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