Mask Cleaning, Used gear, and Training?

[DevonDiver]

I was a student when I first learnt to dive. The cost of the OW course was proportionately very high compared to my income. I had to buy my kit progressively over a long period of time. This was before the existence of Ebay or Craigslist...so I didn't have many options to source second-hand kit.

I didn't own a complete set of equipment until I joined the military - where I was fortunate to buy a load of second hand kit that had been sat in a storeroom for several years. $250 got me a BCD, regulator, spg, depth gauge and several 12l tanks (cost included servicing).

It is definitely worth investigating whether there is a dive club in your area. Once you are qualified as a diver, joining an active club can help you access cheaper diving, mentoring from experienced divers....and they may have a 'loan pool' of surplus kit that you can use.

Another option is to communicate with the scuba operations in your local area...and see if any of them can offer you some form of internship. If you volunteer some hours to work in the centre (a good learning experience), then they might let you dive (and loan kit) for free or cheap?

If those aren't viable options, then just stick with renting dive gear for the short-medium term. This will give you the time and experience to complete qualified research on what equipment you need. Then you will also be able to patiently wait for 'dream bargains' to come along. Be patient on Ebay and Craigslist and eventually you will get a mega bargain. The same is true for scuba retailers... regularly search online retailer sites and keep your eyes on the 'special offer' pages.

[String]

I cant think of a single dive shop that charges for gear rental on entry level courses. Every place i can think of its included.
I certainly wouldn't buy until qualified - you need to get an awareness for what you like and dont like before spending. Plus diving isn't for everyone - not everyone likes diving or indeed can meet the standards required to dive.

[NetDoc]

You're fifteen, and Christmas is coming.

Talk to mom and dad (or legal guardian) and discuss your interest in this hobby. You're going to have to get their permission anyway, so it's best to have this discussion early and you might find that they would be willing to finance your classes.

Second, contact your Local BSA Council and find out who your District Executive is. Contact them and tell them your desire to get Scuba Certified and ask if there are any Venture Crews in your area that specialize in Scuba or other water sports. PM me with your address (don't post it in the open) if you need help with this, but I am sure you'll be able to do it on your own. Here's at least a few of them:

Greater New York Councils: New York City

Otschodela Council: Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie Counties of NY

Longhouse Council: Cayuga, Jefferson, Lewis, Onondaga, Oswego, and St. Lawrence Counties

Seneca Waterways Council: Monroe, Ontario, Wayne, Seneca and Yates Counties

Hudson Valley Council

Final, Scuba is enhanced when you are very comfortable in the water. Get to your local pool as time and finances permit and swim laps. Take your fins, mask and snorkel and swim more laps.

[Brian Sharpe]

.......

I'm going to sound like a crotchety grandmother here, but when I was a kid, we all found jobs to earn money to buy the special things we wanted, that exceeded our parents' willingness to spend. Mowing lawns, picking fruit, babysitting, whatever . . . I can't FIND a teenaged kid willing to do those sorts of chores these days. But it's a great way to earn money, before you're eligible for a more standard sort of job.

LOL - You sound like me talking to my 15 year old son - who, BTW, discovered the truth in those words and managed to make a fair bit of cash (in relation to the amount of effort needed) mowing lawns, pressure washing decks etc in our neighbourhood.

To the OP - +1 on the advise you've been given here. Invest your money in quality training and then check out acquiring equipment. (I don't know if you noticed but the wetsuit in the ad is XXL and the BC is XL - even when I was up to 235lbs my Zeagle L BC fit properly, an XL is pretty big......)

[adamrehard]

You're fifteen, and Christmas is coming.

Talk to mom and dad (or legal guardian) and discuss your interest in this hobby. You're going to have to get their permission anyway, so it's best to have this discussion early and you might find that they would be willing to finance your classes.

Second, contact your Local BSA Council and find out who your District Executive is. Contact them and tell them your desire to get Scuba Certified and ask if there are any Venture Crews in your area that specialize in Scuba or other water sports. PM me with your address (don't post it in the open) if you need help with this, but I am sure you'll be able to do it on your own.
...
Final, Scuba is enhanced when you are very comfortable in the water. Get to your local pool as time and finances permit and swim laps. Take your fins, mask and snorkel and swim more laps.

I probably will be able to do my OW after Christmas and my Bday, because my grandparents mostly give cash. And I din't think about Venturing... I'm still a scout and know a few people. And living in NY, most of the places around here that have pools are very expensive in the winter, but the university might be doable...
Thanks for all the help, I really appreciate it, now I have some kind of game plan.

[NetDoc]

Unlike Boy Scouts, Venture Scouts are for young men and women from 14 to 20. They focus on high (or deep) adventure sports and this will provide you a number of similar aged buddies to dive with.

Quite often, they have methods for you to earn money in order to participate, including getting certified. It's a win/win situation for everyone. Good luck and keep us posted!

PS: I added council information in my previous post should you need it.

[oly5050user]

I probably will be able to do my OW after Christmas and my Bday, because my grandparents mostly give cash. And I din't think about Venturing... I'm still a scout and know a few people. And living in NY, most of the places around here that have pools are very expensive in the winter, but the university might be doable...
Thanks for all the help, I really appreciate it, now I have some kind of game plan.

I do not know where in NY you are located. As many have said diving can be expensive.But not as expensive as thought. When I was your age I did odd jobs around the neighborhood, like cutting grass,raking leaves,shoveling snow,washing cars, etc..and I paid for my own ow course and gear that way.It can be done.
If you are a boy scout PM me here if in the lower westchester area. The facility I teach out of in Yonkers NY has a contact with the Scouts and they have run classes here at times in our indoor heated pool. I can find the guy -scout leader-and have him contact you. If you want to see the facility or come in to go over any possible costs involved again PM me here.
As to purchasing used gear,I have to advise against it,unless you really know what you are buying. Gear does become obsolete in many cases and rebuild parts are often unavailable - one example is Dacor gear-and then all you have are paperweights. Regulators need overhauls,computers need batteries that are user replaceable,wet suits lose effectiveness as they are used and age. By the time everthing is checked out it can cost almost as much as new.
Very often you can get a good deal on new gear at same cost as used if you shop carefully.We currently have a deal on now that if a regulator,bcd,computer is purchased thru us the cost of the standard weekend course-$269. - is waived.So you should be able to get a ow course,computer,bcd,regulator for around $1,200.
You still need to have a crewpack/dvd($95.) or complete PADI online training-($120.).and have your own mask/snorkel/fins...then complete the 4 ow dives either locally or on a referral.
Once certified who are you going to dive with?? Adults ,non related to you, are not usually willing to accept liability of diving with a minor.Does a family member also dive? I was lucky, I was a lifeguard at 16 and had friends and access to a local beach.

[adamrehard]

I do not know where in NY you are located. As many have said diving can be expensive.But not as expensive as thought. When I was your age I did odd jobs around the neighborhood, like cutting grass,raking leaves,shoveling snow,washing cars, etc..and I paid for my own ow course and gear that way.It can be done.
If you are a boy scout PM me here if in the lower westchester area. The facility I teach out of in Yonkers NY has a contact with the Scouts and they have run classes here at times in our indoor heated pool. I can find the guy -scout leader-and have him contact you. If you want to see the facility or come in to go over any possible costs involved again PM me here.
As to purchasing used gear,I have to advise against it,unless you really know what you are buying. Gear does become obsolete in many cases and rebuild parts are often unavailable - one example is Dacor gear-and then all you have are paperweights. Regulators need overhauls,computers need batteries that are user replaceable,wet suits lose effectiveness as they are used and age. By the time everthing is checked out it can cost almost as much as new.
Very often you can get a good deal on new gear at same cost as used if you shop carefully.We currently have a deal on now that if a regulator,bcd,computer is purchased thru us the cost of the standard weekend course-$269. - is waived.So you should be able to get a ow course,computer,bcd,regulator for around $1,200.
You still need to have a crewpack/dvd($95.) or complete PADI online training-($120.).and have your own mask/snorkel/fins...then complete the 4 ow dives either locally or on a referral.
Once certified who are you going to dive with?? Adults ,non related to you, are not usually willing to accept liability of diving with a minor.Does a family member also dive? I was lucky, I was a lifeguard at 16 and had friends and access to a local beach.

I'm up in WNY area, and that's are far as I'll say publicly. As to diving buddies, I have a couple of friends from church, that would probably dive with me.

[knowone]

All of my DACOR gear dating back to 1961 is 100%,
even the stuff that required no sevice, and the stuff,
that required a service but no DACOR specific parts.