Posts by Jennifer:
Aqualung Slingshot Fin
April 12th, 2010
I recently purchased a pair of Aqualung Slingshot fins. I have several different sets of fins but have always been a die hard Blade fan. I kinda hesitated on the slingshot thinking they were just another gadgety product with no benefit. After using them I have to say I am impressed.
They are really great especially if you are having to chase students. The foot pocket is very comfortable and not to rigid. The different settings make them great for easy dives or for hard currents. They are easy on the legs, to me, even at the tightest setting. It was even easy to change the setting underwater with gloves. I have used them on a few regular dives with students and on some drysuit dives. They were still powerful with my drysuit.
Plus you’ve gotta like the “mermaids don’t like competition video”!
Popularity: 8% [?]
Henderson Hyperstretch Wetsuit
November 7th, 2009
My drysuit seals finally saw their last dive, so I had to go back to a wetsuit for a while. I have a bunch of them to choose from, but I figured I might treat myself to something new. I picked up a Henderson Hyperstretch 7mm jumpsuit for about $280 and a 5mm hyperstretch core warmer for about $150. I have to say it was worth it!
Most of my other suits all fit differently in one way or another. A couple of them fit well in some places and were tight in other places. This is the best fitting suit I have ever owned. It’s like the perfect fit all over because of the hyperstretch material. It is also the easiest suit to put on or take off, whether you are wet or dry. You know there is nothing worse than pulling and tugging on a wetsuit to get it on and off. No more wetsuit jump and dance in the parking lot!!
Most of the dives I do for classes are at the local lake, which is about 60 degrees right now. The 7mm jumpsuit is great for my first few dives. Then as I get a little colder throughout the day I slip the core warmer over it and it is perfect. I definetly give Henderson two thumbs up on this one!
Popularity: 3% [?]
Used Scuba Gear “To Buy or Not To Buy”
October 24th, 2009
As a scuba instructor, I always have students wanting to know
“What’s wrong with buying used scuba gear?”
I try to approach this delicately. When buying from a dive shop you have to be certified to purchase all primary equipment (bcd, regulators, tanks, etc.) but now a days with eBay and all the local classified ad venues, it’s just to easy to pick up a full set of gear pretty cheap with no diving certification.
Don’t get me wrong, sometimes you can find a good deal on good used equipment, but you have to be careful. First of all, you should wait until after you have some knowledge about what you are looking at when buying scuba gear. That’s part of the basics in the open water class. I occasionally have a student or two who will bring in their “Great” find and ask me what I think of the 20 year old regulator (that probably hasn’t been serviced in 10 or more years). I just shake my head and remind them they will be using my equipment in their Open Water class, but they might be able to make a lamp or something out of it.
If you are going to purchase used gear here are just a few tips on what you should be looking for. Tanks Must be Hydrostatically tested every 5years and visually inspected every year. If there is no visual inspection sticker in the last 10 years or no new hydro stamp since 1989, lol, be leery (to say the least). There’s no telling how long that things been sitting in the dank garage empty. You wont know if it can even be used until you send it to Hydro. Bet you won’t be happy when it comes back condemned with a cracked neck (unusable) and you just lost whatever money you paid for it.
Regulators are ever changing with the times. They have to be serviced every year. If you are buying a used regulator make sure you see the receipts or service records. Even if it hasn’t been used and just stored, o rings can dry rot and there is no telling what might be living inside of it. Just don’t believe Joe Blow when they tell you it’s been serviced every year. It probably hasn’t and definitely for God’s sake, even if it has been serviced, put it in the pool , bathtub, hot tub, (just kidding) Put it somewhere and check it out before you actually go dive with it. If it is a full set it might have a burst line, frozen first stage, dry rotted o rings, etc. This is life support equipment. All joking aside, your life depends on whatever gear you decide to buy or use.
Computers have changed dramatically over the last few years. You can’t even compare what a computer back in 1999 could do compared to today’s dive computer. If you still want that used module make sure it works properly. You want to actually put batteries in it and make sure it comes on. Make sure the previous owner hasn’t violated it or locked it down. Also make sure the battery compartment is clean and dry. After you do get it home you will definitely want to look up the manufacturer online and try to download a users manual if you don’t get one with the computer.
Used wetsuits, masks, fins, boots, soft line gear are abundant. So if you go that route just make sure it’s in good condition and fits properly. Check the skirt and the strap on the mask for holes or dry rot. Check all fin clips and straps for dry rot. Some fin clips aren’t replaceable if they are to old or the fins aren’t made anymore. So, if the clips look bad don’t buy. Most fin straps can be replaced. Wetsuits, well what can I say, if it’s in pretty good condition go for it. Just remember, there are two types of divers. Those who pee in their wetsuits and those who lie about it. Think about that when you are buying that used suit.
Until Next time, Happy Diving!!
Scubajen
Popularity: 3% [?]
