OK I know that many of you new divers want to get into scuba in a big way. Many of you go out and buy equipment thinking it will get you involved in the sport and committed to diving. OK many LDS will not like what I have to say here , because they make their money on equipment sales. But My advice is wait. First of all wait until you complete the basic course.
It is true that if you own your own equipment, you will become more involved in the sport of scuba and dive more frequently. What I suggest is that you do your basic course and THEN start looking at equipment purchases.
If you really want to save money find the equipment that will best suit the type of diving you want to do. This way you are not always spending money on the next best thing. Scuba equipment can last a long time and it is important that you buy only what is needed to meet your needs and not what is pushed on you or what is really unnecessary only to be pushed aside because you no longer would use it. Sometimes rent or loan before buy is possible check into this at your LDS
If you are looking at just doing basic scuba and diving on vacation trips, all you really need is basic equipment ( mask, snorkel, fins, booties and a small gear bag) You can rent as needed as you travel.
If you are doing more then just the vacation type of diving then get the wetsuit, BCD and reg that fits into your budget and is comfortable and affordable for you to enjoy the sport.
Now , The items such as surface marking devices and dive lights are great as gifts and yes I would say get these items for safety if for nothing else, even before buying the wetsuit, bcd and reg, (even for those one time a year vacation divers). A cylinder is the last thing you should ever buy as they cost little to rent.
If you are looking at getting into diving in a more serious way and willing to make those local dives or more advanced dives, then at the least talk to the local divers and see what works best in the local environment OR think about the type of diving that you want to get into and start to build your dive equipment towards that goal. This will save you big $$ in the long run.
There are some dive shops who do not like to see me come through their front door with a student, there are others who welcome me because I always help them get the customer satisfaction and continued business they desire.
Its ok to have more then one type of equipment configuration ( rec to tech) but there are ways to save money and enjoy the sport regardless of the type of diving you desire to learn and do. An instructor and good dive shop will help you get what you really need with the ability to expand and build upon if required right from the start.
Buying scuba equipment can be a case of buyer beware. As an example one LDS sold a student a bcd without the LP inflator hose included. They charged the cost of the hose to the purchase of the reg unit as a needed item. This is wrong as the LP hose is included in the BCD and should be attached to the reg 1st stage as a customer service courtesy. The reg comes only with the 1st and 2nd stage hose connecting them, the additional package should include a SPG, depth gauge/computer and a alternate 2nd stage with hose, the LP hose comes from the purchase of the BCD.
A shop tech should assemble these items as part of the sale and connect the LP hose for the bcd to the 1st stage of the reg. You get the idea.
I agree that a LDS needs to survive and must make equipment sales, you should shop to support your LDS, but there is a good and a not so good way to do business.
As a footnote: to this post:
I am a instructor who makes his living teaching scuba, I do not make it selling equipment, I own a diving school not a dive shop
It is true that if you own your own equipment, you will become more involved in the sport of scuba and dive more frequently. What I suggest is that you do your basic course and THEN start looking at equipment purchases.
If you really want to save money find the equipment that will best suit the type of diving you want to do. This way you are not always spending money on the next best thing. Scuba equipment can last a long time and it is important that you buy only what is needed to meet your needs and not what is pushed on you or what is really unnecessary only to be pushed aside because you no longer would use it. Sometimes rent or loan before buy is possible check into this at your LDS
If you are looking at just doing basic scuba and diving on vacation trips, all you really need is basic equipment ( mask, snorkel, fins, booties and a small gear bag) You can rent as needed as you travel.
If you are doing more then just the vacation type of diving then get the wetsuit, BCD and reg that fits into your budget and is comfortable and affordable for you to enjoy the sport.
Now , The items such as surface marking devices and dive lights are great as gifts and yes I would say get these items for safety if for nothing else, even before buying the wetsuit, bcd and reg, (even for those one time a year vacation divers). A cylinder is the last thing you should ever buy as they cost little to rent.
If you are looking at getting into diving in a more serious way and willing to make those local dives or more advanced dives, then at the least talk to the local divers and see what works best in the local environment OR think about the type of diving that you want to get into and start to build your dive equipment towards that goal. This will save you big $$ in the long run.
There are some dive shops who do not like to see me come through their front door with a student, there are others who welcome me because I always help them get the customer satisfaction and continued business they desire.
Its ok to have more then one type of equipment configuration ( rec to tech) but there are ways to save money and enjoy the sport regardless of the type of diving you desire to learn and do. An instructor and good dive shop will help you get what you really need with the ability to expand and build upon if required right from the start.
Buying scuba equipment can be a case of buyer beware. As an example one LDS sold a student a bcd without the LP inflator hose included. They charged the cost of the hose to the purchase of the reg unit as a needed item. This is wrong as the LP hose is included in the BCD and should be attached to the reg 1st stage as a customer service courtesy. The reg comes only with the 1st and 2nd stage hose connecting them, the additional package should include a SPG, depth gauge/computer and a alternate 2nd stage with hose, the LP hose comes from the purchase of the BCD.
A shop tech should assemble these items as part of the sale and connect the LP hose for the bcd to the 1st stage of the reg. You get the idea.
I agree that a LDS needs to survive and must make equipment sales, you should shop to support your LDS, but there is a good and a not so good way to do business.
As a footnote: to this post:
I am a instructor who makes his living teaching scuba, I do not make it selling equipment, I own a diving school not a dive shop
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