Hi I'm New here or a Newbie

[Bubble2Bubble]

I've been a visitor here for a month and decided to give myself a Christmas Gift tonight and become a member. I cant beleive I waited sooo long to become a Diver. I got certified in oct and have done only a few dives. I hope i dont get in your way with my :newbie: questions. i would like to join some of the groups here and find some dive buddys. and maybe go on some group trips.Merry Christmas Everyone.
Jo'l

 

[DandyDon]

And welcome to Scuba Board :happywave a great place to chat, learn, compare, argue, etc.

For best results, put us in Favorites of your :crush: computer, and check in often.


How soon do you want to travel and dive? Take a look at Group Trips...

don

 

[Bubble2Bubble]

Thank you for the welcome. I've been in Fl more times this year than I have fingure's to count on. i just can beleive i have never dove there. i just dont know if i should buy my own equipment or rent it.
Jo'l

 

[JRScuba]

Welcome to the board on this wonderful Christmas Eve. Just checked the radar, Santa is in Newfoundland now. He'll be here soon and I hope you've been good all year.

Purchasing gear is an individual choice. Some use the rule of thumb that if your only going to be diving a few days a year rent it. Another way is to buy it peace meal, regulator, then BC, etc. I purchased mine before I started O/W class.

Oh, a Texan. Santa will be a litlle longer getting there.


Joe

 

[GotAir]

to the Scuba Board!
Cute name you have. I hope your Holidays are good. Its never to late to become a diver.
Its a Wonderful Life.........being a diver

 

[DandyDon]

Purchasing gear is an individual choice. Some use the rule of thumb that if your only going to be diving a few days a year rent it. Another way is to buy it peace meal, regulator, then BC, etc. I purchased mine before I started O/W class.

Oh, a Texan. Santa will be a litlle longer getting there.

Joe

Yeah, I did one trip renting the gear I trained in, as I trusted it - before deciding I was in to Scuba enough to own gear. Then my LDS gave me a nice discount on a package. I could afford to write the check, which is a major deciding factor for most.

I guess the most expensive parts are the most important to me: BC, Octo-reg, computer. I want to know and trust mine well, and I want to know the guy who services it annually - as well as his wife and at least one of his kids. Expensive they are, but the BC & Reg are indicated so often in accident reports.

Oh yeah - I like owning suits that no one else has ever peed in, and they're cheap enough for me to carry spares. I carry a dive skin, velour lined skin, and a 3 mil on every trip - all longs, as I don't want to wear a shorty, then come back to the boat with a rash.

Don't know if Jo'l is a Texan or not. Much of Texarkanna is in Arkansas..?

don

 

[Toolbox-13]

Welcome to SB great bunch of folks here Merry Christmas :santasmil
and a Happy New Year :frosty:

 

[slowdiver]

Welcome. You gave your self a great Christmas gift. It will give you many hours of pleasure.

 

[queentrigger]

Welcome!!!

I usually travel(to familiar places) now only with my computer. I have got tired of carrying my gear around. But its very important to feel comfortable and confident of your gear. My advice is BUY it!!!

C u down there

 

[GoBlue!]

Everyone's different. I was certified in the mid-90s, but due to a very hectic work schedule, only had time for a week of diving (vacation) each year. So, I didn't bother buying gear. Now, I've moved out of my home state of Michigan to a land of longer seasons, closer proximity to the Gulf & Florida, and have just made quite a large purchase of gear for my wife & myself. We're certainly looking forward to fine-tuning our own setups & traveling with familiar gear.

You'll find this board absolutely invaluable as you begin the process of gear selection, diving tips & techniques, location hunting, etc. I sure know I have. If I believed everything my local dive shop told me, I'd have been sucked in to buying a setup I wasn't happy with. Instead, I researched for several months, had fun doing it, and now can't wait to dive with the new gear!