Equipment for OW class?

[capntang]

This will be my third OW certification class, due only to the fact that I never completed my open water dives the first two times.

I already have decent beginner-level MFS and boots, though some of it has seen better days. My mask, for instance - it's been stored in a cool, dry place for the past few years, yet the clear silicone now appears dirty and kinda brown. I'm sure the mask still works, so I may hold onto it for the time being. My fins are the standard solid plastic open-heel fins, and I expect they'll be fine for the class. My snorkel is ... a snorkel.

I'll have to buy new boots as the zippers on the ones I already have are stuck. I was going to order them before the class, but I might just wait until the first day of class or something and cash in on the shop's 20% student discount.

On to my question - I'm wondering if I should buy my own wetsuit, gloves, or any other equipment prior to the class and open water dives.

I know a wetsuit will be provided, but it will be a rental. Would it be best to buy my own - something that fits me well and that I'm sure will be comfortable? The OW dives will be at the Liberty Ship off Wrightsville NC in mid May - would a 3mm suit be sufficient?

I also don't think that gloves will be provided. Would it be worthwhile to pick up a pair prior to the class?

 

[USCScubaboy]

I would hold off on buying any additional gear. Focus on finishing the class first then start looking for a wetsuit.

 

[coglesby]

+1 on finishing the class first. Then you can celebrate buy going gear shopping.

The 3MM suit is suffificient in May - unless you are really sensitive to cold.

Have fun and good luck.

 

[H2O 70]

For the class, I'm going to assume it in going to be held in a pool and pools tend to be cool. I'd consider getting a 3mm for the pool sessions. A 3mm will be very handy then for trips to warm water areas and for the summer in SC in the ocean.

I suspect though that a 3mm will be too cool for May off of SC. I wouldn't be surprised if folks are in 5mm with hoods and stuff still then. It takes a while for the waters to warm back up.

Just curious, why haven't you completed the OW class in the past?

 

[coglesby]

I'm hot natured, so probably not the best person to ask about wetsuits. I would suspect, though, that the rental suit is 5MM. The water is typically low 70s in May, or was the couple of times I have been, but I recommend talking to your LDS to see what the conditions are. You can always add a hooded vest to layer up.

Congrats to trying the class again...get'r done.

 

[capntang]

Just curious, why haven't you completed the OW class in the past?

School, work, and other scheduling conflicts. I did a PADI course in '96 and NAUI in 2000 or so. I had no problems either time and passed the class just fine. Neither class included open water dives, and I never could find the time to schedule them on my own.

I did do half of the OW dives after the NAUI course on a private charter and had a great time, but I never did schedule the second half.

This time, I'm taking a week off, heading up to Wrightsville to my aunt/uncle's incredible beach house (ain't family grand ), and doing it all from start to finish in the course of a week with Aquatic Safaris in Wilmington, NC - class Mon-Fri and OW dives Sat and Sun.

No excuses for not getting it all done ... provided I pass my swim test - might have to backstroke that one as it's been a good long while since I've actually been swimming.

 

[boulderjohn]

I agree with those who suggest you use their rental equipment until you have had a chance to understand fully the kind of diving you will be doing and thus be better able to assess your primary needs.

 

[capntang]

I'll give the shop a call tomorrow and see what they rent and what might be a good idea in addition (gloves, hood, other small stuff) given the expected conditions.

I'll probably hold off on buying a full-on wetsuit. I may look into an inexpensive dive skin or something to use during the pool training as I do tend to get a little cool. It might also be nice to have something to put between me and a rental wetsuit.

Or should I just hold off on everything until after the class?

 

[boulderjohn]

Or should I just hold off on everything until after the class?

Talk to the instructor handling your pool dives. The stuff used by students in the pool is pretty safe--never peed in. I wouldn't bother with any kind of a skin for that.

You can then find out what is going to happen on the OW dives, and especially what the shop's policy is regarding that kind of equipment.