anybody into scuba diving
 

i have been wanting to get into scuba diving for some time now and my plan is to get certified in the next few weeks here and do my open water dives next month on my trip to Jamiaca (go'n there for TizBads wedding :cool: ) i was just wondering what would be a good group of equiptment to get started with. i plan on diving regularly as i have quite a few friends that are into it already so i dont mind spending money on good equiptment that i can use but at the same time i'd rather not buy stuff i really dont need. thanks guys :cool:


also is ebay a good place to get equiptment ?

I've been diving for years, but it's been a while since I've bought equipment. I bought top-shelf gear several years ago and took really good care of it so its all still as good today as when it was new. What you'll need to buy will depend on what type of diving you intend to do. I'd start with a top-shelf BC, nitrox compatible regulator, and dive computer. From there you can pick and choose. About all I dive with other than the above is a wetsuit, booties, fins, mask and a small knife.

As far as the best brands and manufactures go my info is not current enough to know. My .02 on computers is to stay away from air integrated. I have a traditional tank pressure/depth console and attach my computer to the hose. This way if my computer fails my dive isn't instantly over.

Good luck - there's nothing like diving. Go to Cozumel, Mexico. Its easy to get to and the diving is awesome.

Been diving for years but like Restabr I bought good stuff to begin with and haven't had to replace it. Most of my stuff is ScubaPro. Don't cheap out on the Regulator or BC and make sure you have an octupus and or spare air. Saved my life once. When you are down there that is your life support so get the best youj can afford. BC and Reg everything else is a luxury. I don't use dive computers only because I do not trust computers. (I'm sure they are very reliable, just a pet peave of mine.) I'd rather work the tables. Anyway diving is awesome I am sure you will enjoy it. Let me know if you have any ??s

I am into muff diving :D


does that help ya ... i can give ya some tips :p

i'm already certified in that :D :p

I have been diving for 15 years and you can not go wrong with Scubapro regs. and equipment. I use a dive computers on every dive and would not dive without one, however I do deep diving a have to decompress on almost every dive. It is a fun sport that you can combine with boating very easy. Good luck and dive safe

Talk to the guys at aqua hut. Really nice knowledgeable guys. They aren't going to talk you into stuff you dont need. BTW I have bought a few things on Ebay. Its just like anything else, be careful what you buy and what you pay, but you know that already.

Been diving for years!
 

One of my favorite things to do. Can't get enough opportunities to go. You start looking at your boat, and the next boat you buy, to see how easy it is to enter/exit off the transom! Be careful! The next thing you know...you've bought a dive boat! Seriously...it's a blast. Ed:D

Thats a good point, but If you go I'll go with.

I also have been diving for years and bought good stuff to begin with and haven't had to buy anything in at least 5 or 6 years.

I love diving but only in gin clear water south of Miami.

You should read this book that my buddy wrote. It's about a father and son from PA that died on a German Sub wreck off NJ. You know many of the places in the book.

It's called "The Last Dive"

The last dive

My Buddy is also the editor of
http://www.immersed.com/

Lets set up a dive in Key West next November.

good info. thanks. we have a good dive shop in the area. its called the AquaHut . i met the instructor that i will be using on a ski trip a month ago. unfortunately i may have to do my pool dives here and open dives down there. still to cold here and we are leaving for Jamaica April 20th. fortunately i will be down there with a group of friends that already dive and i'm pretty comfortable with that. when i get back i will most likely do some dives with my local instructor to familiarize myself with the conditions here. i know they do many outings all summer long out in the great lakes and in some of the local quarries.

:cool: :cool:


madcow- do you know Robert Wagner at AquaHut?

thanks for the info Ron. i ordered a copy of that book. in the Barnes&Noble review it was paralleled with Krakauer's Into Thin Air. one of my all time favorites. looks like a good read :cool:

dave, I would have to agree with formula583, Ohio diving is TOTALLY different than Jamaica (uh ya no sh!t Thrill:crazy: ) your chechout dives in warm crystal clear water will definately be a cakewalk (THATS GOOD), but when you jump in a 45 degree quarry the mind numbing cold and low visibility can very easily send you into a panic attack:( (THATS BAD!) As far as buying gear, like several others have mentioned, I bought high end gear and it has lasted a long time. In general dive shop prices are sky high compared to what you can buy through mail order. Check out www.leisurepro.com they have great prices and an even better selection. before you buy gear you need to consider the type of diving you are going to wanna do;) If you wanna get into light wreck, ore even technical wreck diving you are going to need a lot different gear than you would just doing vacation diving in tropical areas. As far as Regulators are concerned check out Sherwood, they make a few that are very well suited for cold water. I use the Maximus and love it. Also dont belive all the gear ratings in the big dive magazines:mad: Not trying to bash Scubapro but a few years back they came out with a regulator that was rated as the BEST EVER regulator to hit the market, I belive it was the T 600, anyway I have seen them fail multiple times in cold water deep dives:mad: (yeah great ratings from Rodales:mad: ) I really wouldnt reccomend buying from E-bay, I am sure there are deals out there, but I dont like the idea of buying "second hand life support gear" check out http://www.scubaboard.com/ its like OSO for divers. Good luck and be safe.

Tony

I have always used Dacor and had good luck with it. Buy medium range stuff since most of the bottom end stuff has no features and the top line stuff is made for "extreme diving". If you are not familiar with the equipment I would stay away from eBay. Some of the deals are okay but some a re a serious rip-like you buy it and find out it's discontinued and no parts are available. Remember too that if you need a regulator "tuned up" or given a yearly check it is like 100 bucks-so unless used stuff is REALLY cheap it is not a good deal compared to new. A good dive instructor(not necessarily the guy that owns the shop) can give you some real good ideas about what to buy.

good points about ebay. i wouldnt buy used stuff anyway but i dont know enough about it yet to know whats what. at the dive shop here they are offering some good combo equiptment packages and are comping the cost of the cert if you buy one of them. i will look into that first i think and than get some advice from my friends that dive .

Dave, good move, you'll love the book and learn a lot about diving techniques. I've read into thin air too and yes, it will keep your interest cover to cover.

Last time I saw Bernie it was at our High School reunion and he mentioned that he was diving on German subs off the coast. I thought he was a nut only to learn that he's made diving a career. He's been on the Andria Doria and some other super deep (like 300 feet) dives.

We should hook up in Key West for a few bubbles.

Enjoy.:D

been a certified rescue diver since i was 16 :D

Everyone has provide some good info on the gear, but there are significant differences in the expectations between diving in the southern waters. Specifically, visibility, cold water, thermoclines, currents, wildlife, etc.

I am assuming that your local diving conditions in Ohio are similar to Upstate, NY (Finger lakes, Lake Ontario, St Lawrence River).

Some of the most interesting local diving is specialty diving, such as night diving (the fish are basically sleeping or stunned by the lights, and you can get within inches before they take off), ice diving (need to do this at least once, but would not make it a habit), and wreck diving.

Good luck and enjoy it - - - just be sure to schedule a trip often.

lake front i think you are right. our conditions are similar to yours. one of my friends that has encouraged me to get into this has also said night diving is somthing i have to try. we also have quite a few quaries around here.

great info guys, i am

Dave, dont worry about doing the classes in Ohio and open water in Jamaica. I took my classes back in Pittsburgh and then did my open water certifications in Cancun. It was great. We had 35 foot visibility where we were and the water was like bathwater. Just make sure that the company/shop you do the open water dives with is PADI certified. I am sure that Aquahut will be able to give you a list of certified shops in Jamaica. As far as equipment, I have no clue. Always rented my stuff. Never went enough to justify buying.

night dives are a blast!!!!!

as for ebay, just ake sure its a reputable dealer. YOu want new gear or top quality used gear tahta shop will stand behind. Remember your life depends on your gear. If you haev problem at 100 feet its kind of an unpleasant experience.

i'll throw in my 2 cents I love my zeagle BC and reg had them for years and never had a problem:D

I would finish up your open water certs BEFORE you get there. then enjoy while your there.

Im a certified rescue diver. love it. i have all scubapro equiptment. You can save a TON on ebay, then take it in and have it overhauled (its cheap)

Thats who I did my checkouts with. Good guy. He's the one who taught me the Slim Jim trick.

Whats the Slim Jim Trick??

bajarunner- i don't think i can finish out my open certs up here before i go. i would like to but its still to cold and the dive shop doesn't start outside stuff until mid may.

yea . . whats the slim jim trick?:cool:

Jeff Davis at Aqua Hut. They certify SSI. I did the pool/book work with them, then crossed over to PADI with my instructor in Key West. Sherwood regulators are great. You will eventually want to go on to advanced open water and rescue diver ... it just makes you a better all round diver. I have attended three dive medicine courses with D.A.N. and Duke University. Get a D.A.N. membership ... it covers you if any dive related emergencies. They get you to the nearest hyperbaric chamber by Lear Jet if necessary. Look me up in Toledo if you want more info. Madcow and Tizbad both know how to get ahold of me.

You take about a 1 inch peice of a slim jim and wedge it into your buddy's first stage. The fish go nuts for them, and attack it, (and your buddys head). BTW don't do it around sharks.:D

i'm gonna keep an eye on you dammit :rolleyes: :p :p :D

Watch Robert too, thats his favorite (of many) tricks.

WELL....................... Did ya take your classes yet cupcake????? Call me Dave I'll give you a Idea on equipment.

yep . . . .been do'n the book stuff for about a week and start class/pool stuff this thursday. i have been looking at some packages on line and found some decent deals, atleast i think they are. heres some links to 2 of the ones i was thinking about. what'd ya think guys?

click on the blue words to view the stuff in this package


found this one on ebay


this on ebay to


looking to spend about $1500.00 give or take. as a beginer should i stick to gauges or go computer right off the bat( i like gagets :D )? also i was looking at Kona wet suits, any thoughts? thanks guys

Helldivers Rodeo by Humberto Fontova is a must read!!

I captured this , over the weekend in Cozumel
Doc J

This video has a combination of Turtles, Rays, Fish, Coral and a Ship wreck dive( 90 to 110 feel),,,,


http://youtu.be/0NzAKnVMKI4

Very old thread but I love diving. Getting the cert was one of the best things I've done.

I have been diving since 1970. In fact my PADI card is so old it doesn't have a registration number on it--I get a few eyebrows raised every time I present it.

I have had the opportunity to dive
Door County - Gills Rock -- bring a wet suit and fill with warm water - It doesn't matter if its Jan or August -- the water is too cold
Inland lakes - in both summer and thru the ice - thru the ice is ok - the water is clear but bottom is limited trying to keep warm
Hawaii - a number of times - Molokini and other sites off Maui -- great time - spent sometime looking eyeball to eyeball with a humpback whale of Lahanai and just watched in awe - three white tip sharks swimming in formation -- just like the Blue Angles
Mexico - ok but I won't go back

The absolute best place I have been
Grand Cayman
I can't tell you how clear the water is - was down well over 100 ft - looked up and saw clouds-- now that is clear water. The reefs, corals, and life is awesome-- and the best part most of this is right off shore.

SCUBA is a blast-- our kids 12 and 17 have done the resort courses in Cayman.

But I don't have to tell you SCUBA can be dangerous and some situations can get in a world of hurt really quick without even knowing it. There is an old saying
"There are old divers and there are bold divers -- but there ain't no old bold divers"

Get certified and learn the physics and physiology of pressure on the human body-- it's neat stuff.

Above all be safe

3pointstar

Scuba Diving is something that I would like to try. I bet it's a neat experience in it of itself.

My GF is in the pool right now, freezing her nipples off. lol .. I did the cert 6-7 years ago, and the pool class we did was sooooo fraking cold, I'm still shivering. But once you got it, diving is awesome fun. Keys are great, Hawaii is nice, Caribbean spots are ok too, but the Med is the best so far. :)

I encourage your to give SCUBA a try. I have been diving for 40 + years, a PADI instructor and have certified many boat racers in the past few years. I have been fortunate to dive around the globe, but tend to drift to Cozumel/Bonaire most often,,,,,,,,,,
Doc J