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RISKS OF PANIC IN SCUBA DIVING IV
Capt. Darrick Lorenzen
8/8/2008
Can individuals with high anxiety be trained in techniques that will reduce the risks of panic?   Dr. Morgan: Apparently not. The use of intervention techniques based upon procedures such as biofeedback, hypnosis, im...

SHARK ATTACK!
Capt. Darrick Lorenzen
7/30/2008
Craig Hutto, 16, of Lebanon Tennessee survived a shark attack, Monday, July 27th, but his leg had to be amputated. The incident occurred near Panama City, Florida. Hutto was listed in critical condition Tuesday and d...

RISKS OF PANIC IN SCUBA DIVING III
Capt. Darrick Lorenzen
7/29/2008
Are anxiety and panic problems discussed in scuba diving instructional materials?   Dr. Morgan: No. Terms like anxiety and stress don’t appear in the index of books commonly used by national certifying bodies involve...

MSD FORUMS - GENERAL EQUIPMENT DISCUSSIONS
TOPIC: Equipment purchase order
bpautsch

Joined on
1/5/2006

I've been diving for a few years now and have all of the basic gear...mask, snorkel, knife, light, etc. It's time to get serious and start buying the more expensive gear. What order do people recommend buying equipment. I'm sure it's based on what kind of diving I plan on doing...I plan on doing a lot of diving in FL and Mexico...and also some training at Haigh Quarry and in Lake Michigan. I'm guessing I should purchase items in this order: 1) Wet suit, 2) Regulator, 3) BC, 4) Dive computer. I already have a digital camera and Ikelite housing, but need the strobes as well. I heard they make a HUGE difference. Comments? Suggestions?
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Alan

Joined on
1/18/2006

I am in the same situation.  For me,  I think I will move the regualtor up to top priority because I don't want to depend on a rental while diving in Florida or the Carribbean.  Would you also want the buy weights for the local dives?  Weights are the last thing I would buy, if ever.  oh no...  tanks are on my long term rental list too.

Alan Lee
Schaumburg
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bpautsch

Joined on
1/5/2006

Yeah...I put the wet suit first since it's not too expensive. Easy to get out of the way and better than renting. I agree on the regulator...that's why it was towards the top. Weights...I wouldn't buy...why add them to the already heavy scuba bag. Tanks...hmmm...never thought about it too much...
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Larry

Joined on
1/19/2006

I also agree that the regulator should be your first purchase.  However, if you plan on buying a computer shortly, I think I would move the dive computer to the second purchase and then the BC third (as long as you can financially afford it).  Otherwise, you're going to either buy or rent a SPG to go with your regulator only to purchase a dive computer a short time thereafter.  While having the gauges as a back-up wouldn't be a bad thing, if you plan on diving a lot (as you indicated), you might as well put the money into completing the reg. package with the equipment you want.  Besides, I'd rather trust a rental wet suit or BC and rely on my own regulator and gauges.

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captdarrick

Joined on
1/10/2006

A wetsuit should be your first purchase, it is a hygenic issue. No shop or resort adequetely disinfects wetsuits after use. Wetsuits are usually just rinsed off after being worn by other people who definetly will pee in the wetsuit and worse yet may have a skin or staph infection. The most versatile suit is a two piece 6mm wetsuit in that it is 2 suits for the price of one. You can wear just the jacket in a tropical environment and add the farmer john when itis cold.

The most important gear purchase is without question the regulator. Most rental regulators are not serviced or repaired until they break (I don't care what any body says about maintenance schedules), and you basically hope that the rental regulator doesn't break on your 80' dive. Buy a good one, you will own it for a long time. The regulator can fit in a regulator bag (Akona AKB604) and is small and easily transportable. The regulator is the foundation of safe and  comfortable diving. 

A computer is a very important gear purchase because most people don't plan their dive and dive their plan. Most divers just blindly follow an instructor or divemaster that they have known all of 20 min. at the dive resort. Most divers also forgot how or were never taught to use the repetative dive tables. Most computers are intuitively designed, easy to understand and extremely durable. They are easily transportable and properly used will facilitate safe diving.

If you are diving locally weight would be a good purchase. That way you can always have the proper configuration of weight on your belt or in your BC. If you only dive at resorts don't buy weights they are usually provided and you don't want to lug an extra 25# through the airport.

Don't buy a tank unless you have a high level of involvement in the sport locally or if you are technically training or leadership training. They are heavy to haul around, need maintenance, storage, and you can't fly with them. Tanks are easily and inexpensively rented. Most resorts provide them free.

If you are taking underwater photos you need a strobe. Lighting is the most important aspect to good underwater photos. If you don't have a strobe your photos will look green,gray and washed out (take a look at some of the photos in the photo gallery) Ikelite.com is a good place to start researching the best strobe for your photographic set up. Some underwater camera manufacturers have only specific lighting which can be used with their equipment, you must make sure everything is compatable.  


Captain Darrick Lorenzen
captdarrick@midwestscubadiving.com
www.divemaxscuba.com
773-732-8972
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Rachael

Joined on
1/22/2006

In general Darrick nailed it.
Wearing a rental BC sucks for many reasons- it probably won't fit properly, it's been bashed around enough that the neoprene is flattened, and without question it smells like a urinal.  I'd add a skin to this list of essentials, at least for women divers, to be purchased at the same time as the wetsuit.  In my experience, it makes getting in and out of a wetsuit much easier (and less show-creating)!

After the wetsuit, regulator and computer are tied in my mind.  

BC next- and don't just buy anything that fits the budget online that you've never tried on.  It's not always possible, but (face it ladies, we're all built differently, more so than guys) a try-on is huge.  Otherwise, how are you going to know that back-inflate is much more comfortable on your chest (or vice versa) than jacket?  Or that you really hate the padding in the shoulders?  If you can rent it and dive it, all the better.   Full disclosure as long as I'm being bossy:  I dive a backplate/wing combo which is kind of like a simplified back inflate- it was the most comfortable system I tried.

Also, make sure you have a basic repairs kit- I've lost track of how many times I've had to replace o-rings, and fin straps out of my personal stock for people I was diving with.)

Rachael
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divedeep

Joined on
1/24/2006

I think the regulator should be #1 on your list...your life depends on it working more than anything else.
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bpautsch

Joined on
1/5/2006

Regulator assembly is definitetly the number one purchase for an individual who is going to have active involvement in the sport. If the student is not sure of their level of involvement and want to rent a few times to get a feel for how often they will dive, a wetsuit is the first personal gear purchase. You definitely do not want to wear rental wetsuits.
Captain Darrick Lorenzen
captdarrick@midwestscubadiving.com
www.divemaxscuba.com
773-732-8972
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