I was thinking of getting into scuba diving and was wondering what the best bang for your buck was in scuba equipment (i.e. good quality for relatively cheap price) with spear guns also.
Thanks.
Your going to get "xxx is the best". Everyone has their personal favorites.
The best gear the what you can have serviced locally. Sending your gear out via mail or UPS is kinda scary.
My personal favorite is the Aqualung brand, though. 
I am in the market for a 3.5 cu. psi portable scuba dive compressor, but to date, I have not been able to locate a distrbutor in Australia who can satisfy this request.
Currently, I do have a 3.5cu. psi portable Bristol dive compressor which is approximately 25yrs old, but as I do not have access in Australia to spare parts, filters, oils and charcoal, I am reluctant in using this compressor without it first being completely rebuild.
This is the reason for updating to a new model so that I am able to have access to the necesary service components that are needed and required for the compressor to deliver clean air at all times.
Yes you can. Here’s a link to a dealer in Australia that sells new and used. They may even be able to get parts for your current one.
http://www.prodivingservices.com.au/page.php?ID=10&fl=1
Good luck and good dives.
Edit: I guess plagerism is a form of flattery, eh, Arron never…? You liked the link I posted that much that you added it to your original answer of just "Yes" . Lol, tut tut.
I bought a scuba tank for airgun filling purposes. Will not be used as a breathing aparatus. If it just needs some sort of anti-sieze and a proper torqueing, I can do that. Since the tank will be empty they may want to do a VIP anyway correct? Therefore should install the valve for me.
Any preesurised gas container should be visually inspected annually (at least) and pressure tested every 5 years, 3 years or annually according to local law.
If you are going to have it tested, screw the valve in loosely as they will need to examine the threads on it in order to pass the tank and valve as a unit.
BUT ALL THAT ASIDE, the answer to your original question is: Replace the tank neck O-ring, very lightly lube the threads of the valve with a SCUBA silicon grease, wind the valve in to finger tight (if you have a torque wrench you could find out setting) if no torque wrench, nip the valve tight with a light tap from a rubber mallet on a 12" wrench (I know it is a bit approximate, but the O-ring makes the seal, not the tightness)
I don’t understand the difference between wetsuits and the differences. I scuba dive, surf, and kite surf, and want someone to explain the type of wetsuit I would want for each. Also, what do the numbers 4/3 etc mean when you are talking about a wetsuit? Thanks for the help. Points for the best answer.
First of all, if you are already diving, surfing, Kite-surfing etc., why don’t you talk to the people in the dive or surf shops that you do business with. They are full of great information, and they know far more about local water temperatures and conditions than we do out here in cyberspace. We don’t know you, or where you surf & dive.
There are really three types of wet suits that I know of. Surfing wet suits have a greater degree of flexibility at the joints and have a back zipper (so your are not chafing on a zipper when laying on your belly paddling). Scuba suits tend to have less flexibility, often come in thicker versions and more often zip up the front, so a zipper doesn’t chafe you back from your backpack and tank. General purpose wet suits are a little rarer, but they are what of jet skiers and kayakers wear. Although all of the jet skiers and kayakers I know personally wear suits originally designed for either surfing or diving.
When I started surfing and diving 43 years ago, we all wore the same wet suits for both swimming and diving. Of course Mr. O’Neill revolutionized the industry, and things are the way today. Unfortunately, I had to stop diving in the 70s, but I still surf year round, and wear a variety of wet suits.
As much as design is a consideration, the difference in thickness makes a big difference in the application of a wet suit. As I guy who used to dive, I know there is a considerable in heat body heat loss at 100 feet diving than there is sitting on the surface surfing. The numbers that you mentioned, are thicknesses expressed in milimeters. So a 4/3 has some 4 mil neoprene, and some 3 mil neoprene. The thinnner stuff is usually used at flex points.
The only way to get the "right" wet suit is at a dive or surf or sport shop, where you take the time to try on different models. Every manufactuer’s sizing varies slightly, and proper fit is important.
Your ‘Best Answer’ won’t come from anybody on line. Like I said, talk to the local guys who can tell you what is popular in your area and what works best for your area. I could tell you exactly what type and thickness suits I wear in different seasons, but how would that help you? Good luck.
How much air can an average scuba air tank hold? And how much time can you stay underwater?
Thanks!
No offfense, Allie, but if you want to be a diver, you beter know this kind of stuff. Otherwise…. It will go down the drain.
No offfense, Allie, but if you want to be a diver, you beter know this kind of stuff. Otherwise…. It will go down the drain.
First, I would consider an AL80 tank to be the "average" scuba tank. AL80 stands for Aluminum 80. Most AL80 tanks only hold 72 cubic feet (despite the 80 designation) of air when filled to 3,000 psi at 72 degrees F.
How long will that tank last underwater? It depends on three major factors:
1. Depth. How deep are you going to dive? As you dive deeper the surrounding pressure increases which causes the air to become more dense. Since the air is more dense, each breath takes more from the tank. The deeper you go, the less air time you have on the tank.
2. The Person. The person breathing from the tank makes a huge impact on how long the tank will last. Typically, taller/bigger people have larger lungs therefore they will use more air per breath than a smaller person. In shape people use the air more efficiently than out of shap people. Females tend to use less air than a same size male. An experienced diver will use less air than a new diver.
3. The Dive. What are you doing on the dive? A researcher sitting in one spot will use less air than someone swimming around. Colder water temperature usually means faster air consumption. Diving with the current uses less air than working against the current.
For what I call an "average, warm water, tourist dive" the standard AL 80 tank will last about 45 minutes underwater. This dive is done in 80F or warmer water, little to no current, max depth might be 80 feet, but the average depth is around 40 feet, and there is little to no current.
To give other examples…
I am 6’9" tall and my wife is 5’2" tall. When we end a dive, my tank read 500 psi, and her tank reads 1100 psi. We both start with 3,000.
On a shallow dive (not deeper than 20′), I can make my tank last close to 80 minutes. On a Lake Michgan dive to 120 feet, that same tank might last 20 minutes.
When you answer please provide a list of basic scuba equipment with prices, and a list of scuba accessories with prices.
Scuba Diving not snorkel please
Basic dive gear includes
BCD $250-$600
Tank $150-$200
Regs $250-$600 add a computer add $250-$1700
Mask, Fins, Snorkel $80-$200
Full Wet Suit depending on type and size $100-$800
I know that is a large difference in prices, but depending on where and when you dive will affect the type of gear you purchase. Diving in the warm waters of the Flordia Keys and diving in the cold waters of the North Atlantic will require different types of gear. Also depends on how many "Bells and Whistles" you are looking for. Scuba gear is an investment, treated well it will last you years. Remember that this stuff can save your life so don’t look for "bargains" and sacrafice quality for price. That price may be your life. I can not stress enough to have your gear serviced, by a professional. You can also tend to get a better price if you talk to a shop and purchase a full set as opposed to one piece at a time. Hope this helps a little.
I have some fairly old scuba gear that I would like to sell or get rid of. I have a pair of women’s size 6 booties, gloves, vest w/regulator, knife and scabbard, fins, snorkle and mask. It hasn’t been used much but is fairly old. What would be a good asking price for these things?
Well it is fairly hard to answer that question with the details provided.
What brands and models are they?
When were they originally purchased?
What condition are they in?
When were they last used?
When were they last serviced?
Without any details my guess is you MAY be able to get 10-20% of retail for them. Of course that is a complete shot in the dark that was taken with a lack of information.
I have some fairly old scuba gear that I would like to sell or get rid of. I have a pair of women’s size 6 booties, gloves, vest w/regulator, knife and scabbard, fins, snorkle and mask. It hasn’t been used much but is fairly old. What would be a good asking price for these things?
Well it is fairly hard to answer that question with the details provided.
What brands and models are they?
When were they originally purchased?
What condition are they in?
When were they last used?
When were they last serviced?
Without any details my guess is you MAY be able to get 10-20% of retail for them. Of course that is a complete shot in the dark that was taken with a lack of information.
I’m going to become certified shortly and my eventual goal is to make a career out of scuba diving but I was wondering how long it takes to become an instructor? I think you need a certain number of dives or hours or something like that. I’m hoping that once I was certified I could work at a dive shop while I work on becoming an instructor. Does anyone have any advice or suggestions for me? Thanks.
As little as 6 months for some of these "vacation/internship" programs to as long as it’s going to take you when starting from an OW. There’s a learning ladder you have to climb, gaining not just knowledge but actual experience. The more time you commit to learning and doing, the faster your climb will be. The following are the levels associated with most training agencies.
1/ Open Water diver
2/ Advanced Open water diver
3/ Start taking specialty courses, like peak buoyancy or wreck etc. You can do some of these right after your Open water cert.
4/ Rescue Diver. After this you may jump to Dive Master or take some time to be a Master Diver (highest rate non pro scuba). At Advanced ( but more likely Rescue) and above you may also tinker in the "black arts" of tech diving. It’s not required as a Scuba Instructor but many will give it a shot.
5/ Dive Master ( now you’re officially a professional diver and can make money helping Instructors or leading dive groups)
6/ Asst. Instructor
7/ Instructor
8/ Various levels of Instructors are what’s left. Everything from a Master Diver Trainer to ( in PADI) Course Director.
In answer to working at a dive shop while going for your Instructor cert. Yes. Some dive shops will take on an Advanced, Rescue or DM as an intern. Obviously if you’re Rescue or Advanced, you won’t be helping teach any class, but will work in the background supporting that class. You may be a "victim" in a class scenario etc. A DM on the other hand will be right in there assisting the instructor and being the gofor (aka boat b|+ch) whilst they learn the ropes. Part of your own class will be actually teaching under supervision of your Instructor. How you intern will depend on the relationship you have with the dive shop. Some will offer you a discounted Instructor training in exchange for your work, others may not and consider it part of your training period. One thing that will enhance your employment prospects after your training, no matter what, will be having a second language under your belt. Not everybody on the planet speaks english and if your goal is to work at a resort, having that second language will be a bonus to a potential employer. If you have any hospitality industry courses, that too will set you above other candidates in a resort type setting or even a liveaboard.
Hi – Planning to go to Hawaii in August for 7-8 days. Wondering if anyone had any recommendations for the best places to go scuba diving. I am certified but my husband will have to do a resort course. Also, we want to learn to surf. Which island(s) should we go to? Can we do 2 islands in 7 days? Thanks!
We like Oahu for surfing…the waves on Waikiki Beach are perfect if you are just beginning…take Surf Lessons (ask for Fritz at the Moana Surfrider Hotel Beach Activities desk) and DON’T forget your Water shoes…there are some sharp creatures in the water on Waikiki…we love Molokini Crater for the Best Scuba Diving on Maui as well as SNUBA in case your husband doesn’t have a chance to get signed up for a course. You reach Molokini by boat…but there is great Scuba Diving off the beach at Black Rock…Napili…Kapalua and up and down Portions of Kaanapali. You Can do two Islands in 7 days but it will be a little stressful…I personally wouldn’t…I would stick with one Island until you can return for at least 10-14 days. But then I like to take my sweet time doing things and relaxing…No Rushing for me…My kids and My favorite Islands are Oahu and Maui,we spent 10 days on Oahu and 11 days on Maui last July and it still wasn’t long enough…lol…~~Aloha,Enjoy a hui ho~~