diver 85
Contributor
?under 5 for training & another ?thousand for equipment--if you buy used(& there are some good deals & closeouts out there).....
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How Much to Budget for Training and Equipment?
- Thread starter bret440
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The OP says he rather wait to get high quality training -- well, I agree with those that believe that is where he should start.
This IS a case where "It is the instructor" that makes the course. So what should he look for in an instructor?
a. What is the instructor's training? Is it broad based (different agencies, different trainers, different types of diving) or narrow based (same agency, few trainers, just recreational diving)? I'm a huge believer that the broad based instructor has a far greater potential for a much better class.
b. What is the OP's goal? Does he think he just wants to look at the pretty fishies or does he think he wants to dive on a regular basis doing different types of diving?
The training is what is important -- not the gear -- and I can absolutely guarantee you that there is a BIG difference in training at all levels and perhaps especially at the beginner, OW/AOW, level. That is where the real training needs to be done.
This IS a case where "It is the instructor" that makes the course. So what should he look for in an instructor?
a. What is the instructor's training? Is it broad based (different agencies, different trainers, different types of diving) or narrow based (same agency, few trainers, just recreational diving)? I'm a huge believer that the broad based instructor has a far greater potential for a much better class.
b. What is the OP's goal? Does he think he just wants to look at the pretty fishies or does he think he wants to dive on a regular basis doing different types of diving?
The training is what is important -- not the gear -- and I can absolutely guarantee you that there is a BIG difference in training at all levels and perhaps especially at the beginner, OW/AOW, level. That is where the real training needs to be done.
ScubaInChicago
Contributor
[user]ppo2_diver[/user] explains "How to Find the Best Scuba Instructor for You"
wrybosome
Contributor
Hi Brett and welcome to the board-
I'll run down what I've spent, I'm a noob too. I bought with an eye to frugality and quality.
OW training - $300
OW checkouts - $190
BCD - $450 (new)
regs - $520 (1st/2nd + octo via online retailer)
mask - $95 (local shop)
fins/snorkel - $100 (local shop)
bag - $60 (hockey bag at sorts authority)
computer - $290 (nitek duo via online retailer)
ems shears - $7 each (online)
Caribbean wetsuit - $250 ( local shop)
pony bottle - $180 (local shop)
it adds up but you can find decent prices on excellent gear if you poke around. Renting different gear gave me a chance to do some intelligent comparison shopping too.
I'll run down what I've spent, I'm a noob too. I bought with an eye to frugality and quality.
OW training - $300
OW checkouts - $190
BCD - $450 (new)
regs - $520 (1st/2nd + octo via online retailer)
mask - $95 (local shop)
fins/snorkel - $100 (local shop)
bag - $60 (hockey bag at sorts authority)
computer - $290 (nitek duo via online retailer)
ems shears - $7 each (online)
Caribbean wetsuit - $250 ( local shop)
pony bottle - $180 (local shop)
it adds up but you can find decent prices on excellent gear if you poke around. Renting different gear gave me a chance to do some intelligent comparison shopping too.
Pick a dive shop (or private instructor) and do OW with them / their rental gear .... then ... pick a DIFFERENT dive shop (or private instructor) and do AOW (with their rental gear).... then pick a third DIFFERENT dive shop (or private instructor) and do a drysuit specialty class (with their rental gear).
After this you would have been exposed to different type of gear .... and you might have an idea of what you would like / need to buy.
In the process you might also meet fellow divers and members of dive clubs.
If you REALLY want to buy something right away .... buy a mask
Alberto (aka eDiver)
rstofer
Contributor
You won't be far off if you budget $2500 or so for equipment and $500 or so for OW training. But training doesn't stop with OW so you should probably throw in another $500 for AOW and Rescue (probably combined cost). If you want to opt for the drysuit approach (highly recommended although out of my league) another $3000 should cover it.
But all you need for OW is about $1000 for personal gear and training, probably a little less. You can decide later whether to spend the big bucks. You can usually rent gear if you don't think about who else peed in the wetsuit and who upchucked in the regulator.
This is an expensive sport. It is probably better to avoid thinking about the costs. In this example, ignorance really is bliss.
Richard
But all you need for OW is about $1000 for personal gear and training, probably a little less. You can decide later whether to spend the big bucks. You can usually rent gear if you don't think about who else peed in the wetsuit and who upchucked in the regulator.
This is an expensive sport. It is probably better to avoid thinking about the costs. In this example, ignorance really is bliss.
Richard
vondo:
I talked to Duane last night, and he is teaching several OW classes, and will schedule them as people request them. He would be a very good choice in the Chicago area.
vondo
Contributor
I haven't taken a class from Duane....but I've talked to him lots and would recommend him as well....
You can check out his site at www.precisiondiving.net.
You can check out his site at www.precisiondiving.net.
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