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Newsgroups: bit.listserv.scuba-l
Date:         Wed, 15 Apr 1992 18:33:00 CDT
From:         LAPORTEM@OSHKOSHW.BITNET
Subject:      Re: NERVOUS NOVICE

In a earlier posting Beverly writes:

>Well, after "listening in" to your discussions for the past 6 months, I finally
>did it...I signed up for a PADI course here in Connecticut.  I have done a lot
>of warm water snorkeling over the years, and took a resort course in SCUBA in
>Maui last July...I was hooked (so to say).
>I go to my first pool session tomorrow and we do our OW dives the first weekend
>in May.  I have a few questions that most of you have probably heard a thousand
>times, but if you don't mind, could I ask some more novice questions?
>We were to ld that we will need to purchase our own mask, snorkel, fins and
>boots...question 1: which snorkel???To purge or not to purge...? Can you suck
>water through that seal? Am I better off with the "traditional" type?

In my opinion the traditional snorkel is the best, but a number of people like
the single purge on the bottom, and a lot of people like the new "dry" snorkel
which has the valve on top as well.  It boils down to personal preference, if
you aren't comfortable with it in the water you won't have a very good dive and
might not want to do it again(Extreme case).  As far as sucking water through
the valves I haven't seen it happen, and I think the only way you can is if
the valve comes from the factory defective.  Pull one out in the store and look
close, you'll see that the valve is actually outside of the snorkel body and the
small frame (usually in the shape of an X) keeps the valve from bending inward.

>Question 2: I wear contact lenses, and I have folled the discussion that was on
>the list concerning lenses...mine are gas perm, so for the moment, I should be
>fine...Does $60 for the mask and $70+ to install prescriptions seem about
>right?

Yes, $60 dollars for the mask and $70 for the lens' seems right.  At the dive
shop I work at our silicone masks run from $62 to $105 and the place where
we get our lens' put on charges us $69.95 for regular and $74.95 for bifocals.
Remember to keep your eyes shut when doing the mask clearing!

>Question 3: BOOTS...I can get REALLY cold...so I am concerned about keeping as
>warm as possible at all times...Do the newer boots that have the tennis shoe
>type bottoms keep you warmer and dryer...or just make walking on rocks a little
>easier?

You're right, they are mainly for walking on harder surfaces and they will rip
just not as easily.

>One more question:  Our OW dive will be in Jamestown, RI.  Water temp.
>is expected to be about 50 degrees.  To make myself a HAPPY camper, should I
>invesCt in a hood and gloves?

I suggest waiting till before you are closer to the open water dives to buy
those but do buy them.  You'll probably not like the hood at first but you will
once you put your head in the water without it on.

>I intend to become serious at this...and am interested in becomming an UW
>photographer/videographer since I already do that for a living...I don't want
>to "skimp" on materials or equipment since I expect to advance in my diving
>education...Can anyone here lend a hand?

Don't skimp on regulator, bc, or wetsuit.  A tank is just a tank(but don't buy
one that the hydro is way out of date or an old steel. The steel's tend to rust
very fast and are extremly hard to clean if really pitted as well as expensive)
The first three are definately important to your underwater enjoyment the more
comfortable they are the better you'll feel unfortunately the more comfortable
they are they usually more expensive.  I don't know how others feel but I
wouldn't buy mail order packages with no-name brands I just don't feel
comfortable doing it.

If anyone would like to counter what I have said within this document I welcome
any answers.  Feel free to contact me at the address below and I will try and
clear up any misconceptions I may have caused.

Hope this helps!
Mike...

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Mike La Porte                                   |  How many times have you
                                                |  been asked by a non-diver
Bitnet :=      LAPORTEM@OSHKOSHW                |  "Do you have your own
Internet :=    LAPORTEM@vaxa.uwosh.wisc.edu     |  tanks?"
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Disclaimer:
All opinions written within are of my own  and don't necessarily
represent those of the store at which I work.
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