Any SCUBA Divers here?

[BravoKilo]

I'll be taking a SCUBA I course (open-water certification) next semester here at MSU and will need to buy my own snorkel/mask/fins (Went diving in Cozumel this past spring and it got me hooked)... the rest of the equipment is covered in the $150 'course fee'. Anyways... I was wondering if any divers here could give me some recommendations for equipment, and certain features to look for.

Some people have told me to look for a mask w/ a purge valve, and others have said it's worthless and only another place to leak... which would you recommend?
Also, I have heard that split-fins are much easier to kick with and some feel they are worth the extra cash, whereas others say a standard fin is good enough. How much more efficient are the split fins? My legs got tired pretty easily when I went so I would like to get a pair to make my job easier. (Not to mention my muscles tend to cramp easily)
I definitely dont mind spending extra cash for a quality item, but dont want to be throwing money away on useless features.

So if anybody could give me some ideas on certain brands or features to look for I'd greatly appreciate it. I did go to my local dive shop the other day and checked some equipment out and got the saleslady's opinion on what would be decent equipment for me, however I would like some other ideas for reference. (If it makes a difference, im about 5'9" and 160 lbs)

Thanks in advance...

[taurus92]

Learned to dive while stationed in Okinawa way back in 87.

I have always just used the standard fins. Make sure you get a mask that fits properly. The seal will form to your face after a few dives. Be sure to take the mask and wash the lens on both sides with some toothpaste before using it the 1st time. This will help remove the sealer and help it from fogging over.

[gjgalligan]

In Lake Orion is a place called Divers Den.
I have bought stuff for snorkeling there. They gave me the best price I could find for getting prescription lenses for my face mask.

They seemed interested in helping you get the right gear without high pressure.
You might give them a call or pay them a visit.

[AimHigh]

Standard fins are fine. You may get cramps because those muscles aren't used, typically, in normal situations. You only use them when diving/swimming.

Cozumel is a great place to start. I dove there in the late 80s and did "The Wall". What an incredible place.

As far as mask goes, I don't have a purge valve on mine, but get whatever you feel is good for you. You can always raise the mask and blow out. It's something they teach you to do anyway.

God bless.

[Divegeek]

Okay, I am a diving instructor and work at Huron Scuba in Ann Arbor, (we also have a location in Brighton).

Masks: make sure that it either has tempered glass, or polycarbonate lenses. Regular glass if it breaks makes lots of little sharp pointy things that aren't eye friendly, where as the other two can still break into lots of pieces they are not as sharp. The most important thing is to make sure the mask fits properly. Don't rely on the strap to help it fit. Hold the mask to your face, with the strap not around your head, and have someone look at the mask skirt to see if it completely seals around your face. Too many people tighten the strap up to try and stop leaks. All that typically does is make the mask leak more. If you have red marks on your face when you get out of the water, the strap is too tight.

Snorkels: Two things get one that has a corrugated flexible section at the bottom, it makes it easier to get out of the way when not in use, and try to find one with a replacable mouthpiece. $4 for a new mouthpiece is better than replacing the whole snorkel.

Fins: Most important, make sure that they fit properly. You may have someone try and sell you on the newest technological craze in diving, split fins. Think of them as the sports car of fins, they can go real fast but don't have a lot of capacity to move big heavy objects. I own a set of them, and several sets of the older style paddle fins. If I am just tooling about in my light weight gear, and want to go fast they are great, but if I am in my technical diving settup, (weighs over 100 lbs) then I use my old paddle fins, because I can generate a lot more thrust.

Any reputable dive shop should be able to help you out.

[Wesley w/Glock]

On the purge valve thing I think it is six of one, half dozen of another. It does allow you to purge that last final bit of water but being able to do so is not a big deal. It is quite true, though, that that stupid little rubber flap of the valve can go bad when you least expect it. That fifty cent item will then absolutely prohibit a whole dive. If you get a mask with a purge valve (and I think most people do) make sure to always carry a spare rubber flap for it in your accessory bag.

With the wet suit you are almost stuck getting a custom fitted suit. You can buy used ones and others off the shelf and then cut and paste to sort of fit. But it will always be a little off which may be tolerable. If you do take a suit off the shelf make sure you take a lot of time to fit it as best you can. It will make your dives much more enjoyable.

Somebody mentioned fogging of the mask lens. You can buy de-fogger stuff but really, the best way to stop fogging is with ordinary, run of the mill, 100% dyed in the wool saliva--spit. Spit in the inside of the lense, wipe it around with your fingers, then rinse with sea water.

When treading water with your gear on don't pull the mask up over your forehead Mike Nelson style. Pull it down over your neck. Many an expensive mask was lost when an unexpected wave rolled over a diver on the surface.

Get yourself a nice goodie bag and dive knife.

Most important of all... don't take your Glock with you into the water. I know a lot of people say you can shoot it underwater but I think that is for the pros. Glock makes a marine cup for the Glock 17 so that you can shoot it after taking it out of the water and pros do actually shoot under water but think of it like using oxygen or a re-breather. These are only for the professionals. Sport divers will only get themselves in trouble using them.

Stay away from rocks!!!!! I gained a massive respect for the power of the ocean by getting too close to them. I had been trained to stay away from rocks but once in what I thought was gentle Pacific water I swam near a rock formation. I felt like a toy being picked up by the water and slammed against the rocks. There was absolutely nothing I could do with the water being so powerful. It had this kind of power even though the water was only gently washing up on the rocks.

[taurus92]

When treading water with your gear on don't pull the mask up over your forehead Mike Nelson style.


That is the diver in distress signal anyways. DOn't do it unless you need help.

Also it is a good isea to have a dive knife. You never know when you will need it.

[Divegeek]

Wesley has some good points.

I wouldn't waste my time or money on a mask with a purge valve. Of the masks we sell at Huron, maybe 10% have purge valves. Defogging masks, can be done easily and cheaply with saliva, it is typically what I use when I am not teaching in a pool. The pool people don't like us spiting in the water. Another thing to do to prevent fogging is to scrub the inside of glass lenses with toothpaste or softscrub. This helps to get the oil off of the lens. When Glass lenses are molded they use oil as a release agent, this is usually still on the lenses when you buy a new mask.

As for wetsuits, more and more people can get away with stock sizes now that manufacturers are making tall and wide sizes. Another company, Henderson, now uses a newer neoprene called hyperstrech, that stretchs almost twice what normal neoprene does. With these two methods we can fit a lot more people than before.

A dive tool (aka knife) is a usful thing to own. Personally when I first started I bought the biggest thing I could. It looked like a had a machete straped to my leg. :shock: Over the years I have decided that EMT scisors actually are a better option in most situations. Fishing line is hard to cut with a knife, especially if they are using stainless steel runners, but sheers can cut through them, no problem. Yes these are the same ones that can cut through a penny.

And Definately leave the Glock on shore. I have seen a video where some idiot blows his hand off because he tried to shoot his Glock while holding it under water. Yes it can be done, but you need the marine cups that Wesley mentioned and special ammo. If you are worried about getting attacked under water come see me I can hook you up with a spear gun. Much more appropriate for the underwater environment.

[BravoKilo]

Thanks for all the pointers everyone - - I'm looking forward to spring semester beginning.

I think i'll just go ahead and pick up some regular paddle fins.... no sense spending 2-3x the amount of money if I'm going to be stuck in a pool for a semester.... when I look into getting all of my own equipment (suit, BC, regulator, etc..) then I'll look at getting split fins possibly.

As far as my legs getting tired and cramping.... part of it was due to that I had never used those muscles before, but also due in part to shitty genes that I inherited (dad's side of the family gets muscle cramps real easily). Perhaps I'll take a motrin before I go under.

And there are no worries about me taking a Glock underwater.... I refuse to have one even on land :P ;) (HK fan here :D )

Thanks again for everything everyone.... when classes start next semester I'll let everyone know everything works out for me

[kkelly]

I'm the current President of Club Poseidon based in Port Huron. We would be glad to have you with us. We have about 20 members from all walks of life. We try to dive every weekend we can. We also have a lot of local knowlege on the St. Clair river and Lake Huron. Our club site is www.clubposeidon.org Check it out and feel free to contact me. Good luck and welcome.

[Sergeant Bob]

BravoKilo
I could hook you up with some real good used snorkeling equipment for an excellent price. I'd have to dig it out to give you all the particulars, but I have:
Comp Pro paddle fins
Mask (no blowhole)
Boots (size 9)
Snorkel
Dive knife with flat tip (for prying, chipping) with clip in sheath
Sawed Off Magnum (trademark) spear gun
It's all quality stuff (not top of the line)but not cheapo. Used 2 or 3 times in Panama. Couldn't dive over 15 feet without my head exploding.
If you're interested I can give you specifics and email pics.

[BravoKilo]

BravoKilo
I could hook you up with some real good used snorkeling equipment for an excellent price. I'd have to dig it out to give you all the particulars, but I have:
Comp Pro paddle fins
Mask (no blowhole)
Boots (size 9)
Snorkel
Dive knife with flat tip (for prying, chipping) with clip in sheath
Sawed Off Magnum (trademark) spear gun
It's all quality stuff (not top of the line)but not cheapo. Used 2 or 3 times in Panama. Couldn't dive over 15 feet without my head exploding.
If you're interested I can give you specifics and email pics.

That'd be great if you could give me all the specifics...
email is BravoKilo@comcast.net
Thanks!

[Trebor]

BK,

If you pass, I'm interested in the gear. Someone let me know.

Thanks

Rob

[Scoop]

Learned to dive while stationed in Okinawa way back in 87. Too bad you still haven't learned how to DRIVE ... hahaha ... (J/K).

Taurus 92 is right -- either toothpaste or some SoftScrub (non-abrasive) before your FIRST dive. He didn't tell you to do this to prevent fogging (each time), it removes all the excess silicone left there by the mfg process.

Mask: Forget the purge valve. It's one more thing to go wrong and one more thing to worry about while you're down at 5 bar/ATA, fiddling with your equipment, worrying about Nitrogen narcosis or Carbon monoxide toxicity... :) As far as fit goes, it's going to take you a number of times of trying different masks before you find the one(s) that REALLY fit properly. It took me 6 different masks to FINALLY find one that fit MY face JUST RIGHT. All the others would leak, feel uncomfortable or find some way of pissing me off.

Fins: Until you get some experience under your belt, don't waste the $ on split fins. It's like learning to ride a motorcycle -- you don't need to do it on an $18,000 BMW K1200LT and, once you learn to ride it, you may decide that what you OVER spent on what you THOUGHT you wanted turns out to be the WRONG equipment for you.

As for all your other equipment (other than mask/fins/snorkel/gloves/boots): Get some experience under your belt BEFORE you plunck down $820+ for that Seaquest Pro Unlimited jacket-style BC or $630+ on that SeaQuest Apeks TX100 balanced diaphragm regulator. Just because it costs more doesn't mean it's best for YOU. Deal with a reputable shop that will help you select the right products.

Keep in mind that you CAN buy just about anything via mail order/internet and save some big bucks. HOWEVER, keep the following in mind:

(1) that mail order company can't help you organize a dive to Tobermory, nor can you ask them for advice on local scuba diving issues

(2) almost NOTHING you buy online will come with the MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. If you're lucky, you'll get a warranty from the seller, but that won't help if he goes out of business.

For life-supporting items like a BC or regulator, I'd buy it locally. If my fins (that I bought online) break while I'm down, no big deal. If that regulator or BC gives you fits, it could mean your LIFE. Buy it locally from a shop you trust, and from a shop that will not only assemble and check it all out for you, but will service it for you every year. You'll pay more locally, but why not patronize your LDS (local dive shop) and keep a good (local) source (not only for equipment but local dive info) in business. It's best to do your wet (or dry) suit local, too, as you need to make sure it fits very good. All the other stuff -- save your $$ by buying online.

Here's a list of good online scuba equipment places. I can only vouch for the top two:

www.leisurepro.com
www.diversdiscount.com
www.diversdirect.com
www.scubatoys.com
www.scubastore.com
www.fifthd.com
www.extreme-exposure.com
www.deepstop.de
www.simplyscuba.com

[Divegeek]

The shop I work at in Ann Arbor offers a pretty good deal if you buy regulators from us. When you bring in your regulators to be serviced, you get the labor at half price, and many of the manufacturers offer free parts so long as you get your stuff serviced by an authorized dealer at the appropriate service intervals.

As for getting your regs serviced every year, most manufacturers recomend/require it, where as there are a couple of reputable companies that are now recomending you service their product every other year.