Gear advice

[Drewbaby]

My girlfriend and I have been looking into getting our dive certification, but decided to start snorkeling to get used to the rythym of breathing while under the water, using the mask, and fins. We've been going to a local spring here in Florida, but she gets cold fairly easy and we have to get out of the water before long. I woul like to get her a wetsuit that she can use to stay warm and also be able to use when we get our scuba license.

Can anyone recommend a good brand that makes womens wet suits that is reasonably priced, but will be a good comfortable fit for a first time?

 

[billsreef]

Most wet suit manufacturer's have both economy lines and premium lines. So the best thing to do is go to a few dive shops and try on some wet suits that fit your budget. Fits can vary widely from one manufacturer to another, and fit is the most important consideration alongside thickness needed for the water temps you'll be diving.

BTW, breathing underwater with a regulator and breathing on the surface with a snorkel are two entirely different things I grew up snorkeling, and when I started dive lessons had a heck of time teaching myself to not hold my breath when ducking under the water :lol:

 

[WarmWaterWuss]

Check out the Pinnacle wetsuits, I really like mine.... but again, try it on. I usually use a 3mm and then add a vest and/or hood if I think I might need more protection. The 3mm keeps me warm down to about 75 degrees u/w and any colder I use a 3mm long and then a 3mm short under it. I would recommend a long wetsuit because it will give you skin protection from jellyfish and scrapes.
I find that breathing through a regulator is way easier than a snorkel. Good luck and have fun.

 

[davocean]

Not sure what temp you are diving in, but a couple years ago I got a suit that I'm super stoked on, and didn't break the bank either.
I got a BARE 7mm full back zip.
On/off really easy, one piece, super warm, was just under $200 at purchase new.

 

[billsreef]

A BARE Arctic 7mm with hooded vest is what I'm wearing in my avatar picture With the hooded vest on, I'm toasty warm in water temps into the 40's during scallop season.

 

[Fin Mike]

That's three for the Bare 7mm. I use it from Nov to April here off the coast of SC. It's very warm, good fit (for me), and good quality. I bought mine at leisure pro, and it was very economical.

If I were you, I would start with a three mil and go from there. The fit is the most important thing, then the color!!!!LOL

 

[davocean]

^^ start w/ 3mil?
Hmm, we wear 3/2 surfing here, 4/3 when it's really cold, and that is on the surface, I'd want more than that going down where it's much colder, no less than 5m.
But again I'm not sure the temps or how deep OP is going.
I just did a night dive in my 7mm, temps are still warm here, so I'm happy to pull it off when I'm done(that will change very soon) but I'd much rather be a bit warm than any bit cold when diving, cause that makes for no fun at all.

 

[Drewbaby]

Well we are in Florida so the temps here are pretty warm as far as on land, but we haven't been scuba certified yet so I don't know how the water temps actually feel. I know at the springs, 68 degrees, my girlfriend needs a wetsuit. She's gets so cold she starts chattering. She wears a jacket in 80 degree weather so I think I should start her in a thicker suit and if it's too warm, which I doubt it will we can go thinner. And use the thick one for winter diving. Currently she doesn't think she's going to want to dive too deep, but once she gets in I'm sure shell be headind down to get a closer look. The good thing her is there are alot of reefs that are between 20-50 ft down.

Thanks for all the advice I'll look into the BAREs it sounds like you all love them. Any other advice or recommendations are welcomed

 

[billsreef]

68 is typical summer temp around here. I practically sweat in my 7mm at that temp, but I'm also fairly cold tolerant. Most divers around here that spend the money on multiple wetsuits use a 5mm for the summer and early fall. She'll probably also want a hood if she's finding 80 cool enough to need a jacket. Good chance her cold tolerance will also improve the more she dives.

BTW, Dave is quite right, you can't be too warm underwater I'd rather be pulling down the collar of my suit to flush some cool water through then be chilled.

 

[cur10u5g30rg3]

I dive Florida Springs and in the summer when the weather is warm I am fine with my cheapo BARE 3mm wetsuit. But after 1 hour in the water or when the weather outside is less the 80 degrees, I get cold in the water in that suit and will switch up to a 5mm. I am a decent size guy with alot of natural insulation too. Personally I spend more money on getting the higher end suit when I get thicker than 3mm for comfort. I would definitely go try out a bunch of different suit at the local dive shop. If your in the Orlando Area, pm me and I can tell you what my favorite local shop is.

On the snorkeling, I think it is an excellent way to get comfortable with being in the water. Breathing from a reg is deffinately going to be different than breathing of a snorkel.

 

[Drewbaby]

I'll have to check and see if any of the local shops are open on Sundays. That's the only day we both have off with her working 2 jobs and me working and going to college.

Cur10u5g30Rg3, I live in leesburg about an hour from Orlando, but I would definitely like to find some other good shops. I'll pm you about the info.

So snorkeling is good for getting in the water and getting used to the mask and fins, but not really for the actual breathing aspect.

 

[davocean]

I think w/ the breathing aspect many just tend to get excited, and breathe fast.
It takes a few times to learn to breath smooth and steady, and be relaxed.
This also helps you not burn through a bottle of air too quick.

 

[cur10u5g30rg3]

I live up in Lake County as well and Dayo in Winter Park is worth the drive. supposedly their is a shop in Leesburge that has a decent price on fills but I don't really know as I haven't used it. There is always diver's direct which is on I-drive and I am sure they are open on Sunday. It would be a great place to figure out sizes and what you want prior to shopping around. I will tell you the price at Dayo ussually are better than diver's direct.

 

[Drewbaby]

The shop in leesburg is called underwater adventures. It's owned by an ex navy seal. He works with you on gear. If you buy one piece he gives you a second on like a layaway type plan wear you actually get the gear in advance. It's piece by piece but it helps us less wealthy people start the hobby and he works with couples on the class pricing as far as books. He lets you share the materials. I'll have to check out dayo. I've hear it was a good shop from other people too. What do they charge for certification?

 

[cur10u5g30rg3]

Their pricing is all online I believe at http://dayoscuba.com/ . I think they do their class schedule on an as needed basis. The class size could vary from just you to a very large class depending on demand.

 

[Drewbaby]

Thanks fo the link. That's pretty cool I know some shops wait until they have enough people signed up. I met a retired tug boat captain that is certified to certify, but he charges $250 a person not including gear or materials so we would have to rent the gear for our 2 pool dives and open water. I think I feel more comfortable going through an actual shop though.

Cur10u5g30Rg3, where do you dive around here?

 

[cur10u5g30rg3]

There are all kinds of places to dive in Central Florida. I went diving in Paradise Springs last weekend in Belleview. There is Alexander Springs, Blue Springs(Deland), Ginnie Springs (Gainsville), Rainbow River in Dunellon there are alot more than just those but those are more local.

For saltwater beach dives anything south of Sebastion/ Vero area is good. Boat and Deeper Reefs, West Palm has some nice charters for about 65 bucks for a two tank dive. There is some deeper stuff in the New Smyrna area but I have dove any of that. Keys are beautifull for longer trips.

Living in Florida though we have all kinds of options, there same really nice springs with decent open water dives as well as some really nice shore/ beach diving.

 

[Drewbaby]

Ok cool. Do you dive mostly springs or do you dive saltwater regularly too?

 

[cur10u5g30rg3]

I do both. I like to dive the oceans as much as I can, but the tides and sea conditions control the ocean diving whereas you can pretty much dive the springs at any time.

 

[dancerscap]

Snorkeling is very little like reg breathing since you aren't controlling buoyancy, aren't conserving air, and aren't looking through a veil of bubbles. These aren't negatives either by any means. Snorkeling is great in it's own right, and has it's own place. They are related in that I don't dive without a snorkel, don't recommend it but that's just my opinion. I DO recommend taking a good class and getting into scuba. Buoyancy and air conservation are both issues addressed through breath control.

I don't know if we are allowed to post a website here. If not feel free to edit. But there is a site called tommydsports.com. He is in north Pasco county, he has a warehouse there and will ship or you can pick up. Has good (not great) gear but does have great pricing.

For the moderator, I am not associated with this site except for being a satisfied customer.