Anyone into snorkeling or diving?

If I could do that, I would. We live several hours away from such. The reason I asked the questions I did.

I love snorkeling. I'm sure I'd like diving as well but there's sooo much more involved in that. Just get a good pair of goggles, fins and you're G2G.

I bought a lot of stuff off eBay. Used Mares abyss regs for about quarter of retail. Only problem buying used is a dive shop is gonna charge you full price for any service you get done on them. Sometimes if you buy local they will give you a break on any service done.

Also found some good deals on BCDs at leisure pro. Sherwood tortuga. It’s a back inflate hybrid that inflated under your arms as well. It helps you float upright at the surface without squeezing you when inflated.

I bought some split fins off eBay as well that we’re used and a good price.

I bought a mares dive computer from leisure pro that was around a hundred bucks and is really easy to use.

Been diving for 25+ years.

If I were just starting, I'd buy some used gear online and go that route till you figure out what you like.

I use to make a living Mussel diving on the Tennessee River, and occasionally some other rivers in special situations.

If you think you want to dive a lot, for a long time in area lakes, get a Thomas Oilless compressor head, honda 5 hp motor to run it. Filter the air, pump it into a beer keg ( put 1 way check valves on everything) to store volume.

Get 75 feet of good breathing airline and put a good mouthpiece on the end of it. Southeastern Divers use to have some pretty good stuff, but I don't know if they are still in business.


Get a good Flatbottom boat and motor, and drag the boat behind you when you dive. It's a little hard at first, but it will muscle you up pretty quick and soon, you won't even know that boat is back there. Plus whenever you want to surface fast, your boat is right there. Also your boat will stay downstream of you, and help you to know direction. Always go upstream so your water is more clear, the mud that you stir up will stay behind you.


Make sure your intake for your Compressor head, is at a good distance from your Honda motor exhaust. You can use rubber tubing to relocate it. Also filter the air intake well, any kind of dirt and dust will ruin that compressor head fast.


This set-up will probably cost a couple of grand to build these days ( boat not included),but once you own it all, you can dive for a few bucks each day.

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excellent advise especially if you are traveling to dive, no way I’m bringing a BC or computer or any of that other shite. the single most important item of gear that should be a personal fit is the mask/snorkel and everything else is for most people interchangeable and thus better off rented

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100% this, very few people dive enough to justify owning all the gear, a dive shop operator told me that the average person that gets a basic certification will make a total of 25 dives before losing interest.

I would add that I like having my own fins and boots, as my feet are large, if you do dives that require swimming any distance having them fit properly helps considerably.

thanks folks....

I will probably take some time in the spring for certification and training for diving.

Between now and then probably stick to free diving, and snorkeling. NASA thanks for the brand of Mask, Fins, gear.

Any other mask recommendations?

I don't recommend any brand.

Get a mask that fits...or you'll be clearing your mask more than you'll be enjoying diving. As far as computer, get one that meets your needs for example: Do you plan on getting Nitrox certified? If so, get something that does both air and mixed gas combos.

The black skirt vs clear skirt on a mask is user preference....with the black...there's less glare and I believe that's the one favored by U/W photography.

Do you wear contacts or glasses? You might want to consider getting a set of your prescription in the lenses...they make those. I have both a regular set and a set with my script.

Just like archery and other sports...do the research and go try things on. What made me buy my own gear: Poorly fitting rental gear used during my Open water cert. I fought that gear more that I cared too...it sucked hard too. Good fitting gear and ease of use is paramount IMO.

thanks NASA