Questions about BSA Florida SeaBase

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Pez7378

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Location
Pacific Northwest
# of dives
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I have a friend that will be going with his son to SeaBase next summer. It sounds like a lot of fun. What he wants to know is what equipment will he need to bring for diving, and what will be provided. He is spending a lot of money for the two of them to get certified before they go and He's looking to save $$ where he can. I am recommending that he at least bring exposure suits and personal equip. but he was thinking about just going with what was issued at the base. How is the quality and condition of the equipment offered there? What type of exposure suits are offered? Should they bring their own? If so he would need recommendations on what to buy.

I know if it were me I'd want to bring all of my own stuff but this may not be an option for them due to the expense. Any thoughts on the subject will be greatly appreciated.
 
The Seabase web site has a list of what's included and what you need to bring.

Have them check out http://www.bsaseabase.org/


Something interesting about Sea Base that I think has changed is they used to teach NAUI, but now have PADI all over their scuba certification page. Interesting.


They used to sell their gear at the end of the year and had a list on their website a year or two ago. It all looked like decent gear.

If it was me, I'd take my own gear. If they don't own gear and would rent it before going, kinda crazy. Just use their gear. I'd take my own mask regardless and most likely my own fins. Most places that i've stayed the mask and fins are usually cheap and wimpy. Doesn't mean these are, but that's par for the course.

Wetsuit I'd definately take. Reason: I wonder just how many times those wetsuits have been "pee'd" in. You said they are going next summer? I'd take a 2 or 3mm shortie. That will be fine. The water temps will be 80f plus and all you need for that is a shorty. It doesn't look like wetsuits are included in the gear/price there. You can rent them for $30/week or purchae them for $50 at the end of the week. (doesn't mean they are new and never pee'd in though).
 
I have been a volunteer SCUBA instructor & divemaster for the past 4 years at Sea Base. I have been a PADI instructor for 28 years. I am a retired Paramedic / Paramedic instructor & Remote Environment Medical Care Specialist. You may contact me at gfhjr@swbell.net with your contact info & I will get back to you ASAP to discuss your upcoming visit to Sea Base with my advice etc. to make the trip more enjoyable. You may as well get it from an OLD instructor with Scouting experience.
YIS
Grady Hardin
Trinity Trails Dist
Longhorn Council
Fort Worth, Texas
 
Been a while but I was an ASM for a troop in Marietta, GA and led 5 trips down to Seabase in the 90's. I used to give slide presentations to troops/parents planning on attending Seabase a year in advance of their trip so that they could plan and prepare.

I doubt things have changed much in terms of their program so I feel comfortable telling you that ALL Scuba related gear is available to scouts for the weeks adventure. That said ...there is often a problem with fit/comfort so my personal advice would be to purchase a good fitting mask/snorkel and a set of fins (full foot we be more than adequate) prior to the trip. The diving is all done in the 30 - 45 foot depth range and if the weather is questionable they DON'T dive !!

Like someone else already said ...the Seabase website has a full program outline and if you have specific questions you can always contact Seabase directly and speak with someone on staff.

If you have any questions that you might want to ask me feel free to shoot me a PM.

'Slogger
 
Thank you all for your responses. I will report back to my buddy Ken and he can be sure that he can get all the info he needs to make some informed decisions. He sees this as a once in a lifetime Opportunity for him and his son and he really wants to make it count. I'm hoping this is just the beginning of something great for the both of them.
 
That isn't a bad deal for a set of gear used from them.

How old is that gear? do they replace it every year? Do they service it annually before the sell it? since it's used as "rental gear" essentially, it's bound to get a lot of weekly use.

They want $400 for a used set of gear. lets assume you'll want to get at least the regulator serviced before you use it based on it's high usage. figure $60 labor plus $60 parts. That raises the "initial cost out of pocket" up to $520 for "well used gear".

Though that's not a bad deal still, you can pick up a new set of the same equipment for $590, just a little more.


Seaquest Spectrum1 BC - $174.
Aqualung Calypso reg - $174
Aqualung ABS octopus - $89
Sunnto analog gauges - $153
-----------------------------
Total ........................$590
 

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