Man, is SCUBA an expensive habit

[Yossarian]

for the non divers, what does the computer do? can you nef from 150' deep?

 

[Mani]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
what BCD, Regulator and computer did you get?

BCD - Seaquest Black Diamond
Reg - Aqualung Legend
Comp - Suunto Cobra

Edit: bought these from my local diveshop, the prices can be found much cheaper online. I just wanted to support them, and the warranty doesn't hurt either.

 

[Mani]

Originally posted by: PipBoy
for the non divers, what does the computer do? can you nef from 150' deep?

The one I have helps with tracking air level, nitrogen levels, decompression time, and helps you plan your ascent and descent. Also has the ability to record dives and put them on my PC.

 

[prvteye2003]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
I just happen to have that right here next me courtesy of Hoboken Dive Center

Classroom & Pool $189
Books $89
Basic Equipment $160 (Mask, Snorkel, Boots & Fins)
Certification Dives $139
Rental Gear for Cert. dives $79

Yes, you can shop around and save money on some of this....

I spent a total of $325 total for both my wife and I to get our basic certs. My paramedic partner has been a dive instructor for 25 years and he gave us the class. We used all his gear, his pool, books, etc. It was really a good deal for us. We did our cert dives at Lake Travis in Austin, Tx which we spent another $120 total for both of us.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: Mani

Originally posted by: Mwilding
what BCD, Regulator and computer did you get?

BCD - Seaquest Black Diamond
Reg - Aqualung Legend
Comp - Suunto Cobra

Edit: bought these from my local diveshop, the prices can be found much cheaper online. I just wanted to support them, and the warranty doesn't hurt either.

I don't know anything about the Aqualung stuff, but the other things are all very nice. Is the Seaquest back inflate?

 

[amnesiac]

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: amnesiac
Good luck getting life insurance if you don't already have it.

Anything serious about that post?

Yes, very. Scuba is a high risk activity and underwriters take it extremely seriously. Most of the time you have to fill out an avocation questionnaire if you Scuba, skydive, fly (pilot), or race cars, among other things.

Not to say it becomes impossible to get insurance, you just tend to pay significantly higher premiums depending on the intensity of the activity.

 

[GasX]

will they come to my house and assess whether or not I am planning to go wreck/cave diving?

 

[AndrewR]

Nothing like living on a subtropical island surrounded by coral for ease of diving! Plus, the tank rentals at the military-sanctioned dive shops are from $1-3 per tank (more for Nitrox, don't dive with that yet). Of course, I've bought three masks already, two snorkels, fins, BCD, reg, a 2mm/3mm suit, and a dive skin so far (probably around $1000-1100). Now that I've spent the money, though, I can grab a couple tanks, park at the seawall and spend a couple hours underwater for $2!

It's expensive overall, but it's easily one of the most incredible things I've ever done. I absolutely love it. My goal before I leave is to dive on the wreck of a WWII US destroyer which is about 150' down -- that's for next year.

 

[DurocShark]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
Let's say I can't see worth sh!t without my glasses.....
I already have a pair of prescription goggles[job benefit: $$$ in flex account, use it or lose it].... should I get a prescription swim mask to make it more enjoyable?

Even if you rent everything else, buy a prescription mask. You'll be amazed at the difference. A guy I went through cert with in high school kept popping his contacts whenever he went under. Granted, he needed help with mask pressure regulation, but it's so much easier if the mask itself is ground for your prescription.

Spend a chunk on the mask, and you won't regret it!!!

 

[rudder]

Expensive hobby??? pffft. I just had a $150 breakfast last weekend. Flew to a get together about an hour away last weekend just for the pancakes.

I miss scuba diving though. Living in Tennessee there aren't too many places to comfortably dive. I learned to dive in the philippines and got spoiled by the 84F water temp. Plus I can't squeeze into my wetsuit anymore.

 

[WannaFly]

Originally posted by: rgwalt

Originally posted by: K1052
There are certainly more expensive pastimes.

Cars, drugs, guns, flying,boating, gambling, etc.

Yeah, this hobby is better than a $500 a week cocaine habit.

R

Ya I gotta kick my $500/wk flying habit.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: AndrewR
Nothing like living on a subtropical island surrounded by coral for ease of diving! Plus, the tank rentals at the military-sanctioned dive shops are from $1-3 per tank (more for Nitrox, don't dive with that yet). Of course, I've bought three masks already, two snorkels, fins, BCD, reg, a 2mm/3mm suit, and a dive skin so far (probably around $1000-1100). Now that I've spent the money, though, I can grab a couple tanks, park at the seawall and spend a couple hours underwater for $2!

It's expensive overall, but it's easily one of the most incredible things I've ever done. I absolutely love it. My goal before I leave is to dive on the wreck of a WWII US destroyer which is about 150' down -- that's for next year.

I am jealous. I have heard Okinawa has some fantastic diving. How far away is Truk? That and Scapa Flow are my dream dive spots at the moment.

 

[Mani]

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: Mani

Originally posted by: Mwilding
what BCD, Regulator and computer did you get?

BCD - Seaquest Black Diamond
Reg - Aqualung Legend
Comp - Suunto Cobra

Edit: bought these from my local diveshop, the prices can be found much cheaper online. I just wanted to support them, and the warranty doesn't hurt either.

I don't know anything about the Aqualung stuff, but the other things are all very nice. Is the Seaquest back inflate?

I'm loving the Legend. Great breathability at depth and from what I have heard, very reliable. The Black Diamond is back inflate - I heard somewhere it is the BCD requirement for navy master divers (though that wasn't the reason I bought it). Back inflatable is the way to go...it would have been much more of a PITA to navigate some of the small caves in Cozumel with a BC that tries to get you vertical.

 

[Mani]

Originally posted by: prvteye2003

Originally posted by: Mwilding
I just happen to have that right here next me courtesy of Hoboken Dive Center

Classroom & Pool $189
Books $89
Basic Equipment $160 (Mask, Snorkel, Boots & Fins)
Certification Dives $139
Rental Gear for Cert. dives $79

Yes, you can shop around and save money on some of this....

I spent a total of $325 total for both my wife and I to get our basic certs. My paramedic partner has been a dive instructor for 25 years and he gave us the class. We used all his gear, his pool, books, etc. It was really a good deal for us. We did our cert dives at Lake Travis in Austin, Tx which we spent another $120 total for both of us.

Did mine in Lake Travis too....did you go through Tom's Dive & Ski?

 

[Brutuskend]

You could have THIS guy's JOB and dive everyday for FREE!!!

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Julio Cesar, 42 and three diving partners work exclusively by touch because their full time job is diving in water so dark that flashlights are useless: to unclog and repair the antiquated Mexico City sewers ("a sea of human waste and industrial chemicals." according to an April Los Angles Times dispatch). The city itself is in a valley surrounded by mountains, with frequent flooding and poor drainage in it's combined storm water-sewer system. Said one environmentalist. "You walk the streets, smell the stench of raw sewage, and can only imagine what's happening underground."


:Q

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: Brutuskend
You could have THIS guy's JOB and dive everyday for FREE!!!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Julio Cesar, 42 and three diving partners work exclusively by touch because their full time job is diving in water so dark that flashlights are useless: to unclog and repair the antiquated Mexico City sewers ("a sea of human waste and industrial chemicals." according to an April Los Angles Times dispatch). The city itself is in a valley surrounded by mountains, with frequent flooding and poor drainage in it's combined storm water-sewer system. Said one environmentalist. "You walk the streets, smell the stench of raw sewage, and can only imagine what's happening underground."


:Q

Man, you gotta be desperate to feed your family to take that job!

:Q

 

[GasX]

If anyone wants some SCUBA gear, I have some on the unmentionable auction site...

 

[Evadman]

DJKBall the member worked at a SCUBA shop and was an instructor. Maybe he can get ya stuff cheap or somethin. Tell him Evad sent ya. He is a buddy of mine

 

[GasX]

Well, I no longer need the wetsuit and hooded vest....

because I decided I need a drysuit instead. It's a good thing too, because they are SO much cheaper than wetsuits...

 

[Rakkis]

I'm PADI open water

I've only been off the beach at OC and to catalina island
still need to buy most of my gear. only have mask, fins, snorkle, boots, (lost my gloves last time on the boat)