Scuba diving gear bc

DON'T buy online. Biggest mistake you could make. The fit won't be right, the after sales service will be non existant or take weeks, and you may wind up getting defective gear. Your local dive shop can usually put together a package that is new, inspected gear, fitted to you, adjusted and with instruction on it's use, for the same money that you would have spent online. Support for the gear is right there, right now. I've lost count of the people I know that have purchased gear online, to find it defective, just when they need it most, or as damaged, sales floor seconds.

Oceanic Biolite BCD: The newest lightweight BC at just 5.5 pounds!The new Biolite BC looks to establish itself as a complete solution with the introduction of a new color design and streamlined, integrated weight system. This is the ultimate travel BC with a perfect balance of features and benefits that makes diving a pure joy. The Biolite keeps things simple with a clean, straightforward design that focuses on comfort and convenience. If your travel plans call for lightweight luggage, then the Biolite BC is definitely for you.Aeris XR-1 Air Computer Console: An air Dive Computer that's easy to read and easy to use. A comfortable mix of graphics and icons make this computer extremely user friendly. Oversized digits and a split-screen display makes using the computer even easier.Oceanic Alpha 8 Regulator: Professional performance, entry-level price. If you believe that you shouldn't have to sacrifice performance for price, the Alpha 8 Sport is for you.

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There is used gear that I saw on craigslist for $500.00 and I was curious if this is a good deal for a begginer diver. "2 complete pro dive getteups scuba pro bc vests one sherwood brut regulator one aquarius aqua lung regulator 2 sherwood aluminium 3000psi tanks hydro good till 2011weight belts w/weights dive mask several to pick from fins snorkels misc items dive travel bags take ur pick 500.00 each great deal "

Some additional costs... How old are the BCD? While regular servicing of a BCD is not required by a professional, the BCD might need to be examined and tuned-up by someone that knows what they are doing. This could range from $20 per BCD to $100 per depending on the person doing the servicing. When was the last time the regulators were serviced? Most manufacturers suggest cleaning/tune up every other year and an overhaul on the opposite every other year. The regulators could be in complete bad shape and cost around $150 each to get overhauled. While the hydro on the tanks are good until 2011, when was the last time it was visually inspected? You need visual inspection yearly and hydros every five years. The visuals cost about $20 per tank, and the hydros cost about $75. So in two years, you'll need to get a new hyrdo anyway, and new AL 80 tanks cost about $160 and will have a brand new hyrdo. If the gear is in perfect working condition, then $500 is a great deal. You could end up spending another $500 per kit to get them in safe, working condition.

For the first time, I used my own personally owned SCUBA gear to dive. I was diving for several weeks in salt water, and then returned home. I probably will not be diving again for several months, how should I store my BC and reg?

As soon as possible after leaving salt water you ought to have thoroughly rinsed it with fresh water. That's rule #1 with any dive gear when used in salt. The BC bladder itself ought to have been drained and then flushed with fresh water as well, then drained again. Some people add an anti bacterial agent in that last bladder rinse, some don't. Up to you. Leave the bladder partially inflated, so that the lining inside doesn't stick together.Stowage is best done with a proper hangar in a cool, dry area of your house and out of direct sunlight. Your Reg set ought to be coiled properly with the first stage stopper in place and also in a cool, dry area out of direct sunlight after a proper fresh water rinse with the reg set under pressure from a tank for that rinse. A habit that you ought to take up after any dive, fresh or salt water is gently cracking your tank valve after undoing your yolk or din, to blow any water out of the area before placing your first stage stopper on the first stage. Do it easy or you may lose the tank valve O ring ( you have several in your save a dive kit, right?). This keeps H2O out of your first stage filter. Some filters are synthetic...some aren't. If you see green in there...take the regs in for service. You got water in the first stage for sure. Doing all this post dive and while the regs are pressurized will ensure nothing ought to back up from the second to the first stage and allows a good cleaning of the diaphragm in the second stages ( don't forget the octo). Allow both reg set and BC to dry before storage and all will likely be ready to rock when you need them. It's always a good idea to have both checked prior to reintroducing them back into service so keep that in mind before their next use after an extended stowage period.

I am about to sign up at a PADI certified diving place, to learn to scuba dive. I am 14 years old and I need to know that I can become completely open water certified. I would also appreciate anyone that could give me a few websites that I can buy gear from. I would like to purchase all of my own gear, wetsuit, tank, bc, regulators, mask, snorkel, everything. I live in Ohio near Lake Erie and have gone to lake Huron to visit family. I believe both are classified as temperate waters. Any tips possible would be greatly appreciated.

At your age, you'll be classed as a junior open water diver. There are a few restrictions placed on your diving. There's a depth restriction ( I believe it's 40 feet) and you MUST dive with an adult that is at least open water certified. Once you hit 15, you automatically gain an adult open water cert, with no extra cost and that will allow you to a depth of 60 feet with a certified adult diver. Shop around for your course locally. Don't just go into the first dive shop you see and sign up. Not all dive shops offer excellent training. Find one that you feel comfortable and safe with. Buying equipment? DON'T do it online. Go to a local shop. You need to try this gear on before purchase. It's no good to you or even dangerous if it doesn't fit right. You can't try stuff on, online. The shop you're taking your course from will probably offer you a discount. They'd like you to come back. You'll also get better service for your gear if you buy from a local shop and can be guaranteed that what they sell are not manufacturing defects, damaged or used goods. Online dive shops sell this stuff. Finally, by buying your gear locally, you keep that dive shop in business. That shop is going to be the hub of your world for diving. It's where you'll meet other divers and organize trips. If it's gone you'll have to start placing ads in newspapers to find dive buddies.