Getting new gear.

[freewillie]

Sometime either before, during, or after OW certification new divers face the decision of needing or wanting to buy new gear. It's not just a convenience factor, but also a practical and budget factor as well. Questions such as, "do I need it, how often will I use it, and how much can I afford?"

As a new diver I've purchased mask, fins, wetsuit, booties, gloves, hood, BC with weights, and computer. I still need to get my regs but have been holding off since what I want is the most expensive of the bunch.

Now, my daughter has recently certified and I've been trying to decide on how much gear to get her. I'm not sure how much or how often she will be diving locally, and suspect she will mostly dive when we are on vacation once a year in warm tropical waters and an occasional cold water local dive.

For all of you contemplating buying new gear I was wondering if you were thinking of getting all of your gear to travel with only if you are diving on occasion while vacationing? Do you consider it worth the expense and effort to buy your gear and then take it on vacation? Or, do you feel that it's too expensive and renting the gear when you need to is the better way to go.

My daughter is only 4' 10" and 85 lbs. wetsuit and BC usually fit, but if you are hard to fit does this also factor in to your decision?

[scubajo007]

When I did my OW I decided I that would predominately do diving in the tropics and I choose to buy all the gear with the exception of the tank and weights. Its light equipment, designed for travelling and I’m happy I did that. In those rare occasions I have been diving locally then I have rented the equipment. Should I dive locally on a regular basis then I will do a dry suit course and then buy whatever equipment I need.I don't think it’s difficult to get equipment for your daughter it just looks like it will be junior size.

[ScubaBB]

If it only for the holiday trips (1-2/yr), it's probably better to rent. For your who just starts diving it's sure better to rent first, so she can try some different outfits.

[Kryssa]

I would probably buy your daughter mask, fins, and a wetsuit. These are items that can be hard to rent if you are either very small or very large aand can ruin a dive if they don't fit. Kids wetsuits can be bought very inexpensively and since you'll probably be getting a new one as she grows, there is no need to shop for something super high quality.

[DivemasterDennis]

For a little different perspective, consider this: If you are not going to fully equip yourself or a family member, you might consider first buying anything that is going in their mouth or on the face. That would be mask, snorkel and regulator. That is what I tell people who ask. I also learned from my own experience that once I invested in my equipment, I was a much more active diver. When equipping a growing family member, I might rent their bc for a while, as those are size-impacted and not cheap. However, a nice regulator, alternate air source, spg, and computer set up will last them for years and years if properly maintained, and you can change out the mouthpiece for size changes as they grow. The real important thing here is to celebrate the fact that you and your daughter can share the joy of diving! I think their is more joy when you have quality gear that fits you and that you use regularly. And don't overlook your daughter's ability (and yours) to make a fashion statement with color!
DivemasterDennis

[freewillie]

Just a quick update for those kind enough to respond. I appreciate all of the good advice.

I ordered online special through scuba.com including a Pinnacle 7/5 mm xs wetsuit, booties with fins, and a beanie. We actually live nearby but the specials were only good if ordering online and having items shipped to the house. The hood was way too small and we wound up going over to scuba.com over the weekend to actually try the items on for fit. We kept the wetsuit as it fit well with a little room to grow. She was unable to tolerate any of the pullover hoods so we compromised on a 3 mm beanie. I think the high neck collar on the wetsuit made her feel a little claustrophobic.

I found a small Cressi mask at our LDS that should fit her very well but we didn't have time to go over and try it on. We still have lots of time before we go diving again.

She is now very excited to try diving again, but wants to go on a dive boat. She likes the convenience of doing giant strides into the dive site !! Only real problem will be waking her up early to get to the boat.

For some of her gear we may get pink. From experience with junior golf clubs its really nice to get the girly colors but that means we are unable to hand them down to her little brother as she outgrows the gear and he needs his own. I tried to tell him if NFL players can wear pink he can too! For a 6 year old little boy it didn't go over very well , even when dad wears a pink shirt on occasion. Might stick to yellow and blues for now on items we can pass on the her brother when he's older.

[RonFrank]

Make sure your daughter is safe. I would not want my kid on some of the dives I have done in CA if I had less than 200 dives, and was not rescue trained. Maybe I am over protective, but CA can have difficult conditions. The outer islands generally have much better vis but you can run into current. I've run across poor vis diving out of San Diego. I like the idea of warm tropic dives for kids.

[mathauck0814]

+1. California diving is largely not beginner territory. If you are going to take your kids diving (with your stated level of experience) I'd encourage you to be in the company of a qualified diver (DM, Instructor, old salt, whatever). Better safe than sorry...

[freewillie]

Agreed.

As a relatively new diver myself only 27 dives I'm not sure I would feel that comfortable being the 'experienced' diver for her buddy. I hired a DM for a guided tour of Avalon, and plan to have one if she ever decides to go local shore dive. I did inquire if my PADI instructor is available and he is willing to be a hired DM for a shore dive. I don't think I will be taking her as jsut the two of us off a shore until she gets comfortable with wetsuit and weight belt for cold water diving.

Come to think of it, I'll probably do the same for warm tropical diving as well until she is more proficient.

[fjpatrum]

Willie, from my inexperienced perspective, I'd say your daughter's size alone will make it worth getting her own gear unless she's really young and you expect her to grow a lot over the next couple of years. From what I've seen there are very few small sizes available for small ladies and girls when it comes to renting. I could be wrong, though.

Also, consider that she will be "more comfortable" in her own gear if/when situations occur that are unexpected and that will provide her (and you) with a much better sense of control and confidence to get things done properly.

Sounds like you've got a decent start on her gear and she's motivated, so either way you win.