Mike126
Contributor
I'm thinking about getting back into diving after a 15 year hiatus. After lerking here for a while and looking at all of the good information I thought I'd officially register.
The reason I'm getting back into diving is that I miss the sport. My wife never liked to dive so going on dive vacations became a little difficult. Also, we have twin boys that just turned 7. Which is also one of the reasons why I want to get back into the sport. They seem to have a love of the ocean and have expressed interest in diving. I know they are a few years off before that can happen but snorkling is definately an option now.
I have equipment that dates back to 1986, last dove in 1991. I took very good care of it. It includes: Sherwood Freedom BC, Dacor 960 XLE, Sherwood analog gauges, Tusa mask, Mares fins.
The fins are in great shape. The mask's silicon has discolored but otherwise in great shape. The BC is also in great shape and does not appear to have any leaks. The Dacor is discontinued so I guess new parts are not an option and therefore is a nice paper weight. I'm not sure about the guages. They look to be in good shape.
I was going to have the BC and guages checked at a local shop. Is it unreasonable to think that they would be usable after being stored and not used for so long? How about the mask and fins?
Also for a replacement regulator, any recommendations without blowing the budget? I'm assuming the industry has made some significant improvements over the years.
Finally, any advice for getting kids into the sport? When is a good age?
And yes, I WILL be taking a refresher course to get me back into safe diving.
Thanks for all your help. I can't wait to get into the water....
Mike
The reason I'm getting back into diving is that I miss the sport. My wife never liked to dive so going on dive vacations became a little difficult. Also, we have twin boys that just turned 7. Which is also one of the reasons why I want to get back into the sport. They seem to have a love of the ocean and have expressed interest in diving. I know they are a few years off before that can happen but snorkling is definately an option now.
I have equipment that dates back to 1986, last dove in 1991. I took very good care of it. It includes: Sherwood Freedom BC, Dacor 960 XLE, Sherwood analog gauges, Tusa mask, Mares fins.
The fins are in great shape. The mask's silicon has discolored but otherwise in great shape. The BC is also in great shape and does not appear to have any leaks. The Dacor is discontinued so I guess new parts are not an option and therefore is a nice paper weight. I'm not sure about the guages. They look to be in good shape.
I was going to have the BC and guages checked at a local shop. Is it unreasonable to think that they would be usable after being stored and not used for so long? How about the mask and fins?
Also for a replacement regulator, any recommendations without blowing the budget? I'm assuming the industry has made some significant improvements over the years.
Finally, any advice for getting kids into the sport? When is a good age?
And yes, I WILL be taking a refresher course to get me back into safe diving.
Thanks for all your help. I can't wait to get into the water....
Mike