Scuba Gear – Scuba Equipment

Can anyone recommend good Mask, Fins, and Snorkel.?

I’m taking a scuba diving certification course and need to buy myself a mask, fins, and snorkel before the course begins. I see the split-fins are popular, but expensive. Can anyone make a good recommendation?

The first thing to consider is fit and comfort. If you put the mask on to your face, then inhale (without the strap on your head), the mask should stay tightly plastered to your face, even when you breath through your mouth. If it doesn’t, reject it.

Next, look for visibility – can you see well to the sides? Does anything on the mask bother you? If it’s not the best of the bunch, reject it.

For the fins, if you have very strong legs, go for the split fins if you can afford them, otherwise, go for more traditional ones. Extra long fins are awful if you are going to be boat diving, or if you have to walk out of surf. I prefer a middle ground with straps that can be replaced if they break.

For the snorkle, usually they come with the mask, but be sure yours fits in your mouth comfortably, doesn’t cause your teeth to clench, and that when it’s on the mask the nozzle rides above your ear or the back of your head. You want it to be out of the water when you are swimming on the surface. I prefer one’s without a ‘drain’ at the bottom, but I’ve been diving a long time. I tend to go for simple, since I want to enjoy my dive, not spend my time repairing my gear.

What do you need to go scuba diving?

what are the basic things you need to survive and have a good time? I’m big into marine-type things like boating, sailing, etc. but I’ve never dived before. I can’t afford much right now, I know you probably need a regulator, tank, mask. Is there anything else you might need? nothing optional but just what you need, thanks!!

First and foremost, get training and certification. Even if you have a tank, your local dive shop will not fill a tank without proof of certification. And on dive trips, you won’t be let on the boat without certification as well.

In your first class, called Open Water, you will need what the industry calls "personal gear." Some shops rent everything, but most will require you to buy your personal gear. This includes mask, snorkel, fins and boots.

Everything else can be rented.

Now, to be fully decked out, ready to dive, you need the following items:

1. mask
2. snorkel (some consider this optional)
3. regulator set (1st stage and two second stages, pressure gauge, low pressure hose for BCD)
4. buoyancy control device (BCD)
5. tank
6. weight
7. boots
8. fins
9. exposure protection (ex. wetsuit)
10. depth gauge
11. timing device

If you’re going to own everything, it’s a average min. $1000 investment. Now, if you like high end gear, the min. cost can easily exceed $1000. If you’re really good buying used (great to have friends who dive), then you might be able to get into the sport for less.

Remember, certification first

is there any difference between a wetsuit for surfing and a wetsuit for scuba diving?

is there any difference?
what are they?
dose either have a front zipper, or dose that depend on brand?

Once upon a time, there were only wet suits for diving. When I started surfing in the 60s, we wore the same wet suits to surf or dive. Surf wet suits evolved greatly, thanks mostly to a man named O’Neill. Surf wet suits tend to be more flexible, and don’t usually come as thick as some diving wetsuits. Also, most (but not all) dive wet suits have a front zipper. the front zipper is more comfortable wearing a back pack and air tank. Surf suits zip up dorsal side, so you aren’t lying on your zipper while you are paddling. Surf suits don’t usually have any zippers or snaps on the ventral side.

Most big name manufacturers make suits that are sport specific, surfing, diving, triathlon or ‘water sports (white water rafting, personal water craft etc.)

The old wet suits were pretty durable, however. I still have a Parkway 3 mil jacket (front zip with a beaver tail) that I bought in 1969. I occasionally lend it to pals who forgot their own suit on unexpected cold days, and it is still in good shape.

What sort of scuba gear is best for saltwater muff diving?

There’s a place in N. Ireland called Muff that has a diving club. Guess what they’re called?……..Yep, Muff Divers!

Can you get scuba diving equipment for horses?

I want to be able to ride my horse under water for an art project. Also, how long can a horse hold its breath for?

……wow. That is supposed to be a joke right?

So I’m wondering how I can get into scuba diving and sky diving….?

I live in Arkansas…i know….i know… but I am really interested in learning to scuba dive and I want to go sky diving at least once…What do I need to buy? I don’t want to go into this scuba thing not knowing and then get taken for a ride and pay a lot of money I don’t need to pay. any suggestions? I really don’t even know what I’m looking for in a tank, a class, or even what kind of fins I need to scuba dive.

For scuba, you want a beginner’s class run by a PADI, the worldwide group that certifies & trains divers and instructors.

The link below is to the main PADI page. There should be a link to find a dive center near you. (There are a couple in AR.)

The PADI instructors I’ve met are great with "newbies". They’ll explain all about equipment, etc. Once you decide you like the class, you’ll likely want your own mask, snorkel, and fins. Your instructor will tell you what to look for.

Good luck!!!

What will happen if you don’t keep exhaling if u lose ur second stage regulator?

I am gonna learn to scuba dive at Mermet Springs (Southern Illinois) this July and i was reading my OPEN WATER DIVER workbook and I saw that you shouldn’t hold ur breath and I was just wondering why? will ur lungs explode or sumthing?

As you will learn in your SCUBA class, if you ascend while holding your breath you could suffer a lung over expansion injury which can be fatal. Your lungs don’t ‘explode’, but air is forced into your tissues and blood stream which can cause an embolis that can cause a heart attack or stroke. That is why you are taught to aways exhale when the regulator is out of your mouth. You will also about how, due to the equal pressure of air in lungs at a given depth that you can indeed exhale all the way to the surface and still have plenty of air in your lungs. This is known as an emmergency swimming ascent.

what’s the best all around scuba gear ?

I want to but my own gear complete set up, and I’m going to be diving in Monterey,Ca mostly. But I want a set up that could handle even colder water like canada with no problems. And I want dependable strenght, so I can rely on it with a great warranty. Please Help!

I’ve ice dived here ( Canada) no problem in a 7mm double. So long as you don’t have far to go to a warm spot if the wind is howling a 7mm is fine for most people. If anything, it’s your fingers that go numb after about 25 minutes or so. They do make wet suit mitts ( thumb, forefinger and a finger for the rest of your digits) if you find a traditional gauntlet or glove to be too cold. You just lose a little dexterity though, so it’s a personal preference thing. I tough it out and go normal glove. Don’t forget you’ll want a hood as well. It’ll make a large difference in how warm you stay.
Dry Suit? A luxury. If you can afford it and afford to take the course, by all means do if you think you’ve got enough dives under your belt.
If the water temp is above 60 though, you’ll cook.
By the way…our water temps vary huge here ( Canada) . It’s 70 F (5mm farmer john only time) in the St Lawrence river mid summer and 40F at the same ,inside the wreck of the Niagara II in Tobermory 200 miles away ( dry suit or double 7).
Most brands of wetsuit you find in a dive shop will be reputable and it will boil down to a comfort thing. If you’re going to be spending a lot of surface interval, you may want to look at the Henderson Insta drys.
As for dry suits. I’m not so sure you should have that on your wish list yet. Build up your log book a bit. They’re an expensive investment and as I said earlier, more of a luxury. They can also eat an inexperienced diver. One more distraction to deal with when you’re already under a task load. A feet first run away ascent is not how you want to be remembered.
The rest of the gear? Environmental regs certainly. You did say cold water so environmentally sealed is important. Manufacturer? All brands of regs carried in a dive shop will be reputable. They have to be. It’ll be a budget thing that it comes down to. Forget the extra bells and whistles on some models, like breathing adjustments unless you plan on breathing like a jet engine. One more distraction.
If you plan on doing Nitrox eventually, you may want to ensure that those regs are compatible. Not all are.

BC? A personal preference and fit thing. Try as many on as you can. I’m partial to harness rigs because of their flexibility. You can add pockets, change web size and also your lift capacity, not to mention turn it from a purely recreational rig to a tech rig in just a few minutes.
Fins? Personal preference again. Split or blade? Try both. You’ll like one and hate the other, it’s that simple.
Mask? Lol, you guessed it, personal preference again. No matter what, though, it has to fit. Try on as many as you can. The ones that fit are the ones you look a second time at. Narrow it down from there. Some people hate a black skirt ( I do) and prefer clear and vice versa. Stay away from ones with a purge. A feature you don’t need unless you plan on not taking your hands on the dive with you. They eventually leak too. What to look for besides fit? Sideways and downwards viz is a plus as is low internal volume. The Cressi Subs rock in this regard. They must be good, mine keep getting stolen. 4th mask now.

Vacationing in Emerald Isle, North Carolina

Located on the western half of Bogue Banks, one of the barrier islands of the Outer Banks island chain, Emerald Isle is the best way to enjoy a fun-filled and relaxing family vacation. The beautiful sandy beaches, lush vegetation, abundance of wildlife, endless aquatic activities and friendly family environment make “the Gem of the Crystal Coast” the perfect family vacation getaway.

The pristine beaches with abundant sunshine are filled with endless excitement. Feel the sand between your toes as you stroll along where the white sand and ocean tide meet, pausing every now and again to collect beautiful seashells that wash ashore. The kids will be completely preoccupied with building sandcastles, digging holes and burying one another in the sand. With little traffic, the family friendly beaches are surrounded by activities including miniature golf, playgrounds and arcades. By the days end, everyone is sure to leave the beach sun kissed and your camera will be filled with amusing photos to add to your family photo album.

Emerald Isle is known as the Crystal Coast for a reason, so make sure to spend plenty of time exploring the refreshing turquoise water which is generally ten degrees warmer than the Outer Banks region. Enjoy swimming, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking and surfing. If you don’t happen to own a personal watercraft, there are several boat rentals to choose from such as Boon Docks & Bear Island Kayaks who offer a variety of guided tours. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast and prefer to chart your own course, a self guided canoe trip to a coastal inlet is sure to fulfill your need for adventure.

For an up-close look at the delightful and stunning underwater marine life, enjoy a daytrip on a scuba diving adventure. Enjoy family bonding time during the training class and everyone will be eager to dive into the ocean depths. If you prefer to stay dry, a chartered boat tour will provide you with a knowledgeable captain who can take you to the best fishing locations for you to bring in the catch of the day of yellowfin tuna, sailfish, grouper, amberjack, or barracuda.

With so many fun filled adventures, everyone will have a thriving appetite. Dine at one of several local restaurants all stocked with the freshest seafood caught by the local fisherman. And if the kids haven’t quite developed a palate for the local bounty, be assured there are several other kid friendly menu options. Try an evening dinner at an open aired restaurant where you can enjoy the spectacular sunset.

Known as one of the best golf courses in the area, make sure to pack your clubs to enjoy a day at Brandywine Bay Golf and Country Club. The pro shop and snack bar are sure to provide you all the gear you could need and yummy snacks to keep you energy going throughout the day. This course also caters to the family with its practice bunkers and junior programs. Emerald Isle provides several popular courses that incorporate the salt marshes, streams, ponds and dense woods with every play.

When planning the details of your vacation, the best way to get the most out of your getaway is to stay in an Emerald Isle Vacation Rental. Enjoy a vacation home that allows you to meander to the beach at your own leisure or relax in a comfortable setting providing everyone with privacy, space and amenities of a home away from home. It’s easy to find and reserve your dream vacation rental within your price range and that has all the amenities to make your vacation as soothing and comfortable as possible.

N Spin
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/vacationing-in-emerald-isle-north-carolina-54925.html

Should I believe him?

My boyfriend of three years and I are in the process of overcoming a long-term online affair that he had. It ended over six months ago. I’m probably much more jealous now than I should be, so I tend to get upset too easily over anything that involves another woman. Here’s the situation: my boyfriend has just begun one-on-one scuba diving lessons with a woman instructor. I’m jealous of the time they spend together, but he tries to be understanding of that fact. However, yesterday, he went to the dive shop (which is in another town) to get equipment. I made a playful comment about him "going to see her" and he insisted he was just going to the shop and she would not be there. However, last night, I saw on his phone that he had called her. When I asked if he had seen or talked to her, he said no. I finally confessed that I saw his phone and he then told me that he had seen her and had called her to meet him there, but that he can’t tell me those things because I’m too jealous.
Does this sound believable to you, or should I be worried?

This is a tricky question thatg may only seem obvious at first. See, in relationships in which the woman is overly jealous and protective of her partner, he is more likely to hide things from her (usually by not saying anything) about other women or situations involving other women that may be 100% perfectly innocent, but he doesn’t want to deal with the drama of insecurities that he’s had to go through before. On the other hand, being in the shoes of the female (as I have been before), when a partner has been unfaithful you tend to go into paranoid mode of assuming the same kind of hurt will happen over and over.

However, your partner out and out lied when you asked, as opposed to purposefully not mentioning–that to me could be trouble. If I were you I would have a heart-to-heart with him, and whatever you do, don’t flip out–if you do, he’ll get really defensive and will further bury his feelings. Tell him that you really are happy that he’s decided to pursue scuba diving, but you feel uncomfortable with it, but that you’d like reasurrance.

A true man will give you comfort and reassurance that you are indeed the only woman worth his time. A yellow light to me would be if he still gets defensive and maybe even turns it on you in an accusatory manner (especially if you’re not being accusatory at all). That’s when I would look at the other aspects of your relationship, and perhaps make a tough call as to whether it’s working.

Hang in there. Don’t let jealousy get the best of you, and don’t let him get the best of you while squandering it away on Miss Scuba, either.

Good luck!