BigFame
Contributor
I am getting ready to get certified, and I approached DandyDon with some of my noob questions as in my intro thread he offered to be helpful, and he certainly was (Thanks Don). He suggested to me that I run his answers by you all since he has dived the Sound but that you guys may have some differing thoughts as to what to get to get going.
For my class I need fins, gloves, booties (although I DO have these if they will be okay) a mask and a snorkel. Here was Dons answers to my questions, and help you all can provide would certainly by appreciated. I am in particular excited about the wet suit as I am 6 foot 2ish and 300 pounds I have feared that my only option was to go custom, and that could be costly. It appears that I could get a 6.5 farmer john style two piece for 180 from the link he provided, what do you think about that suit for the Sound and also could the arms or leg be taken in if needed. Here is Dons info...
thanks guys.
For my class I need fins, gloves, booties (although I DO have these if they will be okay) a mask and a snorkel. Here was Dons answers to my questions, and help you all can provide would certainly by appreciated. I am in particular excited about the wet suit as I am 6 foot 2ish and 300 pounds I have feared that my only option was to go custom, and that could be costly. It appears that I could get a 6.5 farmer john style two piece for 180 from the link he provided, what do you think about that suit for the Sound and also could the arms or leg be taken in if needed. Here is Dons info...
DandyDon:Yeah, dove some of it over Labor Day Weekend once. Nice, but was not totally prepared for the cold water. I'd dived 50F before, but that was the high there, with one dive getting down to 42F. :11: Still, I was okay except for my feet. Here are my views, altho you'd do better to ask locals really....BigFame:Dandy Don, thank you for the warm welcome in my inro thread. I did in fact have a question or two I would like to run past someone with some experince and since you offered you are stuck with me.
I am not yet certified and am planning on taking the class sometime in August, I have to buy the basics (gloves, booties, fins, mask, and snorkel) for the class and the only thing I HAVE purchased was a pair of booties with a pretty substantial sole in 6.5mm. I purchased them really to use when I swin in local lakes and rivers since they are often full of rocks, twigs and the occasional glass etc (although they recently found 45 sharpened pieces of rebar in a nearby lake not far from the cildrens beach area, how terrible I hope the person who left those goes to jail a long while). I have gone to a few local dive shops and inquired about these items and seem to get different answers, I was told by one young man that split rigid fins was the only way to go, but as I am sure you know that is not a cheap route. I was also told by another that I would not be able to select a mask until I shave my mustache (you seem to have been able to get around this) as I would never know if I was getting a good seal. I also wondered csince I see you have in fact dove he puget sound how cold is it really? I have heavy booties but when selecting a glove should i consider less thick and more movement or more thik and less movement? I would like to buy my own wetsuit in time, but since I am 6 foot 2 and 300 punds I presume this will be a difficult thing to do well as well as an expensive one. Anyway I have taken up enough of your time, and I thank you for any info you can share as well as for the cordial greeting on the board.
Jake
- booties with a pretty substantial sole in 6.5mm. Sounds like my Tusa booties, altho yours may be a little heavier. Unless they've changed, these are what I wore: Tabata USA, Inc. : IMPREX 5MM DIVE BOOT [DB-4000] - $0.00
- And I'd still add neop socks; if your booties are snug, can you exchange them for some a little lose to accommodate these: Cabela's 2mm Neoprene Socks
- I wore a 3 mm neoprene beanie I think, but a full hood would be best there, maybe thicker. I like the sound of this 6/3: 6/3MM NEOPRENE HOOD [H6015] :: Tilos, Inc
- I have gone to a few local dive shops and inquired about these items and seem to get different answers, I was told by one young man that split rigid fins was the only way to go Opinions vary so sure you'll get different answers. I use some pretty heavy split fins myself: Oceanic Worldwide - Scuba Diving Fins - Vortex V-12
- I was also told by another that I would not be able to select a mask until I shave my mustache by someone who has never had one I bet. I do shave a little off just under the nose on dive trips if I remember, but mostly I use silicone grease - not Vaseline which can harm a good mask; some use chapstick
- I have heavy booties but when selecting a glove should i consider less thick and more movement or more thik and less movement? I wore thick ones and handled my camera fine, so I don't think they'd be restrictive.
- Actually, I certified in cheap, sport goods store mask, snorkel and fins but moved up on all three pretty soon. For the snorkel tho, get a cheap tube, and virtually no one wears them after they get thru with OW. I do carry one of these, just in case, but have never had to use it: Oceanic Worldwide - Scuba Diving Snorkels - Pocket
- I would like to buy my own wetsuit in time, but since I am 6 foot 2 and 300 punds I like jumpsuits, but there - a Farmer John would probly work better, and be easier to fit. $169.95 Farmer John Wetsuit-6.5mm for Cold Water Diving Scuba Wetsuit: at JoeDiverAmerica.com
don
thanks guys.