Any Suggestions?

[purple vonny]

did you say something Paddy diver?

[Hazel W]

subliminal bcd and reg suggestions

[MATTBIN]

One of the things to bear in mind is that the female shape is a bit different from a blokes shape, more sticky out bits (generally) wher kit is going to cause a problem. some BCD are made especially for women. Something else to think about is looking at "wings" rather than BCD as they seem to be more comfortable if you dont like the crushed feeling you get with a BCD. If you want to know what a wing is, just ask, YD has a rule - there is no such thing as a stupid question on here (stupid answers possibly ).
Regs - there is a huge range to suit most budgets, but I would suggest you get some capable of being used in cold water, if you do like cold UK diving and you have bought warm water regs you'll need to either sell or get converted, start as you mean to go on. Oh and get them DIN instead of A clamp. One of the guys on YD (Dom) had a great website that detailed equipment choice, I'll see if I can find the link. There is also a "sticky" in equipment forum on this site.

I'd take Lou up on her offer, only leave your cards at home

HTH
Matt

http://diveweb.oneandoneis2.org/guide/index.htm

[Mark Davies]

As everybody has said, it really is a good idea to try out some kit first.

I know you are really excited about this new hobby and are desperate to spend your cash and get some of your own gear - it's almost a substitute for not getting in the water yet! I have a colleague learning and he's done just that. He's bought himself a load of kit and he's not even dived in open water. To be honest, though he asked me for advice which was duly given, he pretty much ignored it all and made some bad mistakes with his purchases. Just due to impatience. Frustrating really.

Take your time with it and save money in the long run.

However, things to consider . . .

Definitely DIN rather than A-clamp, even if you expect all your diving to be abroad.

If I was going to recommend one brand of regs for universal use it would be Apex.

One BCD you should try is the Diva LX, which I think is made by Scubapro. It's the only one I know of that is specifically designed for women and the female divers I know who have one love it - they say it's the most comfortable they've ever had. But that all depends on your shape, and you'd probably find a wing and harness just as good. Not a definite reccommendation, just a suggestion of something you should try.

Don't be in a rush to buy tanks. Make those your last purchase - they're really cheap to hire and if you are in a club they're probably free.

If you are buying a computer (of course you are!) get one that does Nitrox - you WILL use it in the future. It hardly costs much extra.

If you are buying a drysuit get one that's made to measure. A good fit is far more critical than anything else about the suit. If you plan to dive in the UK please DON'T be tempted by a semi-dry. It will put you off diving for life!

Ignore any recommendations you get about masks and fins. In my experience these are purely personal choices. I've bought three masks in my time but I'm still diving with the first one as it's the only one that fits properly - that's all that matters. Find one that doesn't leak and stick with it until you've destroyed it. Likewise with fins - you've just got to try them out before you find something that feels comfortable.

Gloves - get something that you can put on easily. If they're tight to put on when dry they are too small. You'll never get them on wet for a second dive and kitting up becomes a nightmare!

Hope that helps. Good luck and happy shopping!

[vid]

agree with everything mark said, but here's some elaboration

Originally Posted by Mark Davies

One BCD you should try is the Diva LX, which I think is made by Scubapro. It's the only one I know of that is specifically designed for women and the female divers I know who have one love it - they say it's the most comfortable they've ever had. But that all depends on your shape, and you'd probably find a wing and harness just as good. Not a definite reccommendation, just a suggestion of something you should try.

i know i'm not a woman, but my long term buddy is, so here goes

Diva LX is not the only "female BCD" - it's made by seauquest (part of aqualung) - there are around 6 "female bcd" designs now being offered by various manufacturers - but it is still one of the favourites

my long term buddy had this and some of the others, and this was her favourite - she sold it when she moved to twins, but regrets it now, because she should have kept it for instructing

on the wings side, yes a harness can be as/more comfortable than a bcd (even the diva) but it depends on the harness and your shape - some harnesses are not as comfortable (see this link)

http://www.yorkshire-divers.co.uk/fo...81&postcount=3

AGAIN - try before you buy

Originally Posted by Mark Davies

Ignore any recommendations you get about masks and fins. In my experience these are purely personal choices. I've bought three masks in my time but I'm still diving with the first one as it's the only one that fits properly - that's all that matters. Find one that doesn't leak and stick with it until you've destroyed it.

in fact, if you find a particular mask that works for you, buy 3 of them in case it stops being made in the future

some people just have odd shaped faces/heads - we have a diver who just could not get most masks to fit - very much a trial & error scenario

vid

[Paddy Diver]

Originally Posted by purple vonny

did you say something Paddy diver?

Ya sorry about that, my bloody screen ran out of ink!!



Ian

[purple vonny]

Originally Posted by Paddy Diver

Ya sorry about that, my bloody screen ran out of ink!!



Ian

You going to share your thoughts now or has your brain run out of synapses honey?

[Paddy Diver]

Originally Posted by purple vonny

You going to share your thoughts now or has your brain run out of synapses honey?

Had written a bit on my view but when I went to post it it told me I had to log in even tho I was already logged in!?! Seems when I write a big piece and go to post its after loging me out by the time Ive finished. Anyway I think all aspects have been covered now so Ill same myself me thinks.


Ian

[JumpinJacks36]

Thanks for all the tips and hints on diving gear, its useful to know, what to look out for, have been brousing a bit to see whats out there, so think i will just hold back on buying til i find what suits me. Saying that though I do need to invest in a good Mask and some fins!

Had my first confined dive last night was great, can't wait for the next one but it's a whole week away!

Lou if you are at the show on Saturday, I will try to find you to say Hi and the guys and gals at the bar