Beginner equipment recommendations?

[DanL]

Chadwick,
Welcome to scuba diving and to the board, where you will find most people helpful and cordial.
I've got thirty or forty years under my weightbelt (or is that thirty months under my integrated weights? Don't remember...I'm always narced...) and the piece of equipment you really need is a BS SHIELD TO PROTECT YOU FROM SPEARIT!!!!

Spare it, Spearit.
Har Har Har - I'm so glad it's a free country.