Newbie

[hgs_notes]

For a new diver, this is what I would recommend:<br><br>Buy snorkel gear first. Buy the mask at a shop where you can try on several different styles to get the right fit. This is probably the most important piece of gear you where after the air supply. Fins should be whatever your comfortable with, I'd try to rent or borrow more than one style before buying.<br><br>After snorkel gear, get a wet suit. This is also one you need to try on before you buy. I where a one piece 1/4" semi dry. If it gets colder I put on a hooded vest under it. I got because it fit good and seemed easier to get in and out of compared to the usual farmer john style. To each his own.<br><br>Next would be the BC and regulator. Just get a good brand that you are sure can be serviced anywhere at a reasonable cost. If you shop around you may notice that the 1st stages of several different combos of the same brand are identical. The difference is the 2nd stage. Get a regulator with an enviromental kit and thats good for cold, dirty water.<br><br>By the time you get comfortable with those items and whats available, you can decide what style of BC, computer, etc you want. <br><br>BTW, I bought an air integrated, hoseless dive computer on ebay for a song. I had a little scare though when the transmitter didn't link up with the computer. After a battery change and several e-mails to the seller, it turned out fine. But if the transducer had been bad, it was a $350 replacement cost that would have ruined my bargain.<br><br>HG