Scuba diving questions?!?
I want to learn how to scuba dive so I have been researching and looking into it a lot. My question is, I want to find a mask, snorkel, fins, and boots for a reasonable price, but they also need to be of relatively good quality and not a $10 snorkel mask that will fog up every 10 seconds. I don’t know the best way of approaching this aspect because I want to ask my parents if I can learn to scuba dive, but knowing them they will want to know a price.
Good advice or tips for anything regarding scuba diving (preferably finding equipment) is greatly appreciated, thank you!
Scuba.com
you can find forums and all of the equipment and all of the major brands.
But for the mask, you need to go to a dive shop and get one that fits the shape of your face or it will leak.
You are right about wanting good quality. You need the best you can afford so that it will last and you need to be sure of your equipment when you are under water.
Off the top of my head here is a price list:
Mask $50 plus. Low volume mask with black skirt (black is best)
Snorkel $20. No need for an expensive one
Fins $80. I like the Thrusters. These strap around your foot. Most scuba divers use full foot fins. I use strap fins so I can use booties with a sole for walking on rocks etc. Full foot fins can go over your feet or you can use scuba socks.
Booties $40 I like them with kevlar in the sole in case I step on an urchin
If you want full foot fins
Fins $50
Socks $20
Get the Super Psyduck Snorkel mask for all your scuba needs, available at local dunkin donuts free with every purchase of a medium hot cocoa
References :
Quality masks, snorkle, and fins can be found at reasonable prices although price would not be one of my criterias for selecting what will allow me to move, breath, and see underwater. Comfort and function should be your biggest concern.
1. Purchase your boots before your fins. Boots depending on diving environment should have sturdy Tennis Shoe style souls. You will need to try the fins on over your boot with selection criteria being snug but not tight. Your feet contain many small bones and pressing them together for any period of time can cause great discomfort.
2. Masks should be a "Low volume" meaning there is less air space within the mask reducing mask squeeze when decending. It too should be comfortable and seal without having to tighten it too much. Low volume masks generally have no glass over the nose. I would also recommend sylicone construction for a more supple fit. The easy way to check for mask seal is to place the mask on your face without it’s strap, inhale and a properly fitting mask will stay in place with mild suction. You may alwo be able to feel air passing if it does not fit properly.
3. Snorkles need to be about 17" long so that they end over the top of your head. The tube should be wide for reduce breathing restriction, flexability between the mouth piece and tube so that it will drop away from you mouth when you spit it out to insert your regulator. I like mine to be wide enough to stick my thumb into. The more parts you have the more breathing restriction you will feel in a strenious swimming situation. Also there is not such thing as a dry snorkle. Get one with a purge valve also
3. Fin style will depend on your kick style. They should be "open healed adjustable" which means they have a strap and are not full footed. If you kick with a bicycle style kick you will want a softer more flexable fin. If you kick with slight bending of the knees you will want a stiffer fin.
A good dive shop sales person should give you these same tips also if they do not they are only ingerested in selling you the expensive stuff and not your diving comfort. I also would suggest shopping at more than one shop. Once you get an idea of what you wish to purchase take the package to each dive shop and see who will give you the best price on the items. I would do the same with my certification class.
References :
PADI MSDI
Spell check not functional, Sorry!
Scuba.com
you can find forums and all of the equipment and all of the major brands.
But for the mask, you need to go to a dive shop and get one that fits the shape of your face or it will leak.
You are right about wanting good quality. You need the best you can afford so that it will last and you need to be sure of your equipment when you are under water.
Off the top of my head here is a price list:
Mask $50 plus. Low volume mask with black skirt (black is best)
Snorkel $20. No need for an expensive one
Fins $80. I like the Thrusters. These strap around your foot. Most scuba divers use full foot fins. I use strap fins so I can use booties with a sole for walking on rocks etc. Full foot fins can go over your feet or you can use scuba socks.
Booties $40 I like them with kevlar in the sole in case I step on an urchin
If you want full foot fins
Fins $50
Socks $20
References :
EBAY!
Most people think that all the stuff on there is used but its not a whole load of it comes from outlet stores for a fraction of the price so you would still be getting the best quality equipment for a fraction of the price if you search around, hope this helps!
References :
Amazon has some great stuff, I myself looked upon as I went once at scuba diving in a trip to Greece.
They got really good stuff but a bit expensive.
Try this if you want some extra cash on amazon xD
References :
http://www.goldcarrot.com/index.php?r=241