Just starting out

KneeDeep · Post by **KneeDeep** » Thu May 17, 2012 12:26 am

Hello all... been browsing for a bit, but thought I would finally reach out and say HI.

I have finally started my Open Water on 5/15/2012 and will be moving forward from here.

Soooo, that being said, who's willing to have a newb start diving with them in the Seattle area around mid June

Want to get some dives in so I can get my AOW next.

Jeff Pack · Post by **Jeff Pack** » Thu May 17, 2012 5:24 am

welcome to NWDC.

I find it better to watch for postings about dives, or just simply when you are wanting to dive,post you are looking for a buddy a number of days in advance.

What is your location? That also helps abit.

John Rawlings · Post by **John Rawlings** » Thu May 17, 2012 6:53 am

Welcome to the club!

There are a LOT of divers here on NWDC that enjoy diving with newer divers and being a mentor, as I'm certain you will discover. However, like Jeff has already mentioned, telling folks where you are located will go a long way toward finding new dive buddies. As of now, we don't even know what city/town you are in, which makes it pretty tough to even "think" about planning a dive with you.

So....great to have you here with us, but tell us more!

Also, keep your eyes peeled for "Club Dives" that are announced here. They generally happen 2 or 3 times a year, usually at Redondo, and an attempt is usually made to match up experienced divers with newer divers as "big buddies' and "little buddies". It's a great way to meet anywhere from 50 - 60 club members all at once.

- John

Tangfish · Post by **Tangfish** » Thu May 17, 2012 8:15 am

Welcome to NWDC KneeDeep!

Norris · Post by **Norris** » Thu May 17, 2012 11:07 am

I know this dude! He is in the fall city area and can't wait to start diving with ya kneedeep

Penopolypants · Post by **Penopolypants** » Thu May 17, 2012 1:27 pm

Woohoo! Welcome to the board, and to the addiction!

KneeDeep · Post by **KneeDeep** » Thu May 17, 2012 6:25 pm

Thanks All... yeah... a bit lame on the intro.. but at least wanted to throw something out.

As Norris stated, I live in Fall City and have lived in WA my whole life. Been wanted to dive for some time, and just getting started. Will be finishing my OW class in mid-June, and hoping to start diving asap. Pending some key equipment

As soon as I am done with OW, will roll straight into AOW.

As for addictions... I have MANY, this one will be taking the lead for a while I a feeling:)

KneeDeep · Post by **KneeDeep** » Sun Jun 10, 2012 4:10 pm

WAHOO!!! Just completed my OW this morning at EUP

Now to get some gear... (wife is going to love this part)

Zen Diver · Post by **Zen Diver** » Sun Jun 10, 2012 4:32 pm

Congrats!

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » Sun Jun 10, 2012 5:03 pm

I probably saw you there. I assume you were either with Fred or Silent World.

Should have been on the lookout for a bright yellow drysuit...

Peter Guy · Post by **Peter Guy** » Sun Jun 10, 2012 5:06 pm

Congratulations on getting certified as an Open Water Diver.

Since you are going on to get gear, I highly recommend you look around and ask around -- and here on the NWDC you'll get plenty of informed opinions on what you should get.

Just for kicks, I'll start:

Regulator -- don't go for the high end, go for middle range (or even "low end" for a reg that can be used for other purposes later in your diving career, like a Scubapro Mark II). I tell my students to stark with either AquaLung or Scubapro (or their lower end brands like Subgear for SP) because you'll be able to get them serviced any where. (Note, I have quite a number of regs from a different, lower priced, company -- HOG.)

Exposure Protection -- get a dry suit, even a used one, but get one. Again, for my students, I recommend starting with a lower end (lower price) suit and even if you just sell it in two years, the total cost will be pretty minimal on a per dive basis.

Dive Computer -- highly recommended -- get a wrist mount, Nitrox capable, downloadable -- There are lots out there and whether it is a Suunto (very "conservative") or an X1 (doesn't care if you get bent!), dive conservatively and stay well within your NDLs.

BCD -- K.I.S.S. -- Make sure it has enough lift for cold water; two cambands preferred to one; standard inflator and connector; weight integration is nice BUT in cold water makes for a VERY heavy combination. I'm sure there will be some people who will tell you the best BCD is a Back Plate and Wing combo -- and if I were you I'd look at one before I buy something else.

When you shop for gear, don't only ask "What" gear do you recommend, but make sure the salesperson explains WHY a piece of gear is recommended. What are the pros and what are the cons. There is NO "right" gear -- there is just gear that works for you.

Norris · Post by **Norris** » Sun Jun 10, 2012 5:28 pm

And get a tech snorkel...

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2

KneeDeep · Post by **KneeDeep** » Sun Jun 10, 2012 9:40 pm

Thanks... pretty excited

Jeremy wrote:I probably saw you there. I assume you were either with Fred or Silent World.

Should have been on the lookout for a bright yellow drysuit...

I was with Silent World (but parked next to Fred).

Peter Guy wrote:Congratulations on getting certified as an Open Water Diver.

Since you are going on to get gear, I highly recommend you look around and ask around -- and here on the NWDC you'll get plenty of informed opinions on what you should get.

I do have a head start on some gear and I have been doing alot of reading. Below is what I have to date.
Drysuit (USIA AquaSport Drysuit brought from this board with the help from Norris)
-Need to sync with a board member for an undergarment (Joshua Smith)
DriveRite Transpac Harness with a Classic wing (but it needs a inflator valve)
130 Tank (yeah.. big one, I'm an air sucker)

Items still need to get:
Reg - I have done some asking and I am leaning heavly towards the HOG's
Computer - yeah, not sure on this, but something is better then nothing.

I have to 2 dives next week for my drysuit class, and will be taking Nitrox class next week.

So far it's been bit by bit, but I'll get there some

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » Sun Jun 10, 2012 10:13 pm

Sounds like you are doing great and well on your way!

I'd recommend the HOG's...I've heard great things about them.

For a computer I'd go with a wrist mounted computer over a console. In fact I don't even dive with a computer any more, just a Liquivision Xen which is a bottom timer with fantastic color visibility in the display. But the wrist mount is much nicer than a console imo...even though the Oceanic Pro Plus II has nice big numbers.

I'd get a wrist mounted compass as well. It's sort of tradition to wear your compass on the left wrist and your computer/bottom timer on the right wrist....just in case you get into scootering down the road.

Jeff Pack · Post by **Jeff Pack** » Mon Jun 11, 2012 6:27 am

I got my Liquivision XEO from Koos DuPreez here on nwdc. While expensive,its a longer term investment as its not suffering from overbearing recreational deco models, readability is beyond awesome, supports multi gas switching, tri mix, even CCR later down the road.

Wrist mounted is the way to go.

BASSMAN · Post by **BASSMAN** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 10:49 pm

Jeff Pack wrote:I got my Liquivision XEO from Koos DuPreez here on nwdc. While expensive,its a longer term investment as its not suffering from overbearing recreational deco models, readability is beyond awesome, supports multi gas switching, tri mix, even CCR later down the road.

Wrist mounted is the way to go.

What happened to "Middle of the road computer"
If you got the $$ for a Liquivision, you should buy your own compressor and a scooter too!

Welcome to the club, KneeDeep!

Jeff Pack · Post by **Jeff Pack** » Thu Jun 14, 2012 5:42 am

Middle of the road is for the non 1% club...

Jeff Pack · Post by **Jeff Pack** » Thu Jun 14, 2012 6:17 am

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