SCUBA Diving
 

So I was certified (w/NAUI) about 2 years ago, but I didn't buy all the equipment at the time (BC, regulator, etc).

I'm going on a trip to Punta Cana, so I have decieded it is about time to buy everything. Espeically because my travel agent remarked the methods for sanitation sometimes leave things to be desired.

Any suggestions on equpiment? Brands? Anyone know if buying a BC made specfically for women is worth it?

Thanks:cool:

I have a suggestion: don't go scuba diving in the ocean because you will be attacked by a shark and you will die!!


Unless you are a true dolphin. But seriously, I don't have any tips for you, sorry.

I think SmartBlondeGPhiB is a SCUBA diver. Maybe she will have some good tips.

My boyfriend SCUBA dives. I have no idea what type of equipment he buys, but it is expensive. He is PADI certified if that means anything to you. I rented my equipment in the Bahamas, and it was fine.

PADI is another type of certification. I'm looking into getting my advanced cert through them; I took a NAUI corse while in college because it was offered through the school, so we got a nice little discount.

I am certified by NAUI and own all of my equipment.

I have a BC made for a woman and it is actually better. Mine also back inflates, which is a little strange the first few times if you haven't dove with one before. I can't remember who makes it though. My reg and octopus are by MARES. The reg I have is OK, but it can be hard to breath on if upside down. It's not their top of the line one, and I'm not sure how you could test that before purchasing. My guages and 2 computers are Aries - I recommend them, although the accessories to download to your PC are pricey.

I became a SCUBA diver at the age of 16. My father and I dove in many locations, my favorite being right off Bimini.

Then when I was at Auburn, the wonderful IFC president and his friend went cave diving in Florida. Danny got trapped in the cave and drowned. I never had the urge to go again.

You guys don't cave dive!

Pardon my nosiness, but did this happen in the Devil's Eye system? Many experienced and professional divers have drowned there, so I was just curious if that might have been the one.

I don't remember most of the details now other than it happened in north Florida and that Danny and his friend were pulling too hard on the guide rope instead of just touching it and it broke. Danny's friend got out and sent some people for help while he stayed by the formation. You could see if someone was in the cave because bubbles rose to the surface out of this one area. His friend could only watch as the bubbles stopped coming out.

Yep, yep I am...........warm and cold water.

I would HIGHLY recommend a women's BC and the back inflate is wonderful too. However, if all you are going to do is warm water diving it might be more than you need. And yes, all equipment is expensive. Send me a pm and I can tell you more. Shop around though and don't buy it online. Remember, you will be trusting your life to that equuipment.

Check out this site, it might help.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums.php

Okay, I am going to be preachy for a moment:

A basic PADI certification is called an OPEN WATER card for a reason. You are never supposed to dive where there is anything between you and the surface except water, unless you have additional training. I know this is mentioned again and again in training materials. Of course something like this is a tragedy, but please don't be discouraged or discourage others from diving based on this incident. The facts show that there is a very low fatality rate for open water divers, providd they remain within the limits of their certifications.

As for equipment, keep in mind how much you are actually going to want to transport from location to location. I keep my own skin gear and regulator (stage 2) and rent the rest. A lot of these resort places are staffed by guys making $7/day, who will give you everything for a very low rental fee as long as you give them a decent tip. If you get a BSD with an integrated weight system, you are now lugging weights from place to place. If you plan to rent a weight belt there, you leave the possibility of incompatibility. Yes, you are trusting your life to this gear, but you can be fairly confident in a dive shop operating under NAUI, PADI, or SSI certification.

I agree with your statement on cave diving. I am Open Water certified and I even try to stay away from overhead environments - although I have dove one or two.

With owning your own equipment I agree and disagree. If you are not all that comfortable with diving there may be a comfort factor in knowing you are diving with the same equipment at all times and that you know how it works. Even the BCDs can work diffferently based on style, etc... My BCD is weight integrated and I had always carried my own weights with me until we went to the Caymans this summer. I decided the weights were too much so I left them at home and just put the dive shops "hard" weights in my integrated pockets (I don't need much weight - maybe 10 lbs.). It worked great.

I agree on BOTH accounts. HELL there are local PADI shops that I wouldn't rent gear from.

Rental gear will be low end, very well used.

With your own gear, you know exactly how well it's been taken care of. You just take 2 suitcases. I have a hard sided Pelican box for my gear and a suitcase for my clothes......

Thats what I'm concerned with...I don't know how the rental equipment is treated. And honestly, sharing a reg just skeeves me.
I've been looking around on the internet and stopped by a local shop. I'm going to go to a second one sometime next week who has more options. I'm looking mainly at warm water stuff, because unfortuantly, I'm not going to be able to do much cold water diving. I have asthma, and while my doc ok'd me to do warm water he "stongly advised" against cold water (because cold is my trigger).

I'm not sure if there is one near you, but there is a store called Diver's Direct where I bought all of my equipment. They have everything and great prices. You may want to take a look. I know they have a catalogue and a website.

On another note - I don't know if you'll be missing anything diving in cold water. I have no interest in it. The springs in FL are too cold for me and they are a constant 70 degrees. I guess I truely am a Florida girl :D

I am also PADI certified. We own all of our own equipment but only take certain things with us on trips. I ALWAYS take my own Regulator, BC, mask and snorkle.

I have a MARES regulator with the special moisture retention system. If you have allergies, asthma or TMJ, it is worth the investment. I have a good BC but don't remember what brand it is. I highly suggest buying a women's BC.

Also, if you are buying your own tanks PM me b/c it is important to purchase based on your buoyancy.