What To Buy First, Next, Last - Scuba Tech Tips: S06E01 

Thanks for watching. I hope you get some good ideas. Alec

33! 33!!! You're way too old now Thomas! LOL I'm 70 and still enjoy scuba diving all the time. Let's see now. I used to be good at math. Yep! Got it. &0 is twice as old as 33! Jeez Thomas, get out there and try it. It's a blast and good for your head and body. I have had at least 3 new divers over the years take a course for the first time in their 70's. Do something exciting Thomas - try scuba diving. Think about how incredulous all your friends will be. They'll probably be pissed that you didn't invite them to join you. Good luck. Alec

What? Are you writing my memoirs !! We must have met. There were only about 50 divers at that time - same age, same gear, same dives. Take care. Alec

Can I share this with my grandkids?

@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter Oh foo shoo

I appreciate that as I want to educate and entertain divers of all ages. My grand kids are divers and sometimes they even listen to me.

I know what you mean. It's amusing sometimes to listen to divers as they talk about the old days - divers in their 30's! Take care. Alec

Thanks Rockd, glad you learned something. Lots more coming on a variety of subjects. Take care. Alec

I hope it helps. Good luck. Alec

Thanks for that Tina. I know Kevin reads all the comments and appreciates your feedback. We have more coming.

Thank you for watching Beauty. Alec

So nice of you

Well, I hope you're enjoying them - either getting some good information or a good laugh, maybe both. Alec

Thanks Brad. Hope there's been something in there of use to you. Alec

Thanks for watching Jimil. Alec

Thanks Electric, just trying to educate and entertain divers everywhere. Take care. Alec.

Thanks for watching Ivory. Alec

Minnesota! I've got lots of friends there. It's apparently a scuba hot spot! Who knew?? I've been there and even visited a few dive stores. Have fun and take care. Talk again. Alec

Alec, thank you so much for your unbiased views and suggestions on scuba diving. With 60+ years experience you bring a lot to the topic. I'm so eager to explore and I appreciate you keeping the information easy to understand. Thanks again

Thanks for watching Greg. I'm glad you picked up some good ideas. Alec

Thanks Alex. Alec

Glad you like them Jonathan. A

Thanks for watching. Alec

Right Theo. Now I remember. That was your idea. More coming. Alec

Glad it was helpful! Alec

Working on it!

Glad to hear that Stel.

My gear is what I use in these videos, or borrow Kevin's (new and shinny). Lots more coming. A

"My store" before I sold it and retired last year, was Scuba 2000 located in the north part of Toronto, Ontario. Do drop in. I'm not often there any more but maybe we'll get to meet . That would be nice. Thanks for watching and for your generous comments. Alec

Glad it was helpful!

Great to hear I'm saving you money and frustration. Thanks for watching.

Thanks for watching Drew. Welcome to scuba. You have no idea the wonderful things in store. Alec

Alec Peirce Scuba I will be paying a visit to the store !!!

So.So. He doesn't always laugh when I tease him. I'm just a perpetual irritant - Kevin or not. It's one of my most endearing qualities. I figure it's character building. If you can put up with me, you just might make it through life! Alec

I hope you were able to get a good price. That's not a cheap set-up but all sounds good. Alec

I loved Jonny Quest cartoons as a kid.

@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter ah, a true man of culture! Thank you for the reply Alec, it made my day.

My pleasure Darrol.

At one time your only recourse was to get a custom-made suit which, in theory, was made to fit your body - lots of measurements, lots of time and lots of money. The material used today for wetsuits is so flexible that you may be able to get into a stock size. I'm a stock Medium Large according to the book but can use a Large and stay warm and can even fit into a Medium. I suggest you get into a good dive store that has or will get in some stock suits for you to try. Hopefully, your LDS had Henderson suits which we've found are made to fit North American bodies. If not, you should contact some manufacturers on your own to see if they can and will make you a custom suit at a reasonable cost. You will need to order it through your dive store and hope that they know how to measure correctly (there are directions and videos on the manufacturer's sites) and will not inflate the price. Try to contact Roy at Oceaner Sporting in Vancouver. They service Canada and the USA and international too. They are a smaller company and specialize in custom suits. Good luck. Alec

Have fun!

This is me smiling! Thanks Marjam. Alec

Thanks for invite RD. Before Covid and my own dislike of current air travel, I visited LB many times to see old friend Dottie Frazier. I did a video interview with her, look for it here, and she will be 100 soon. A great early woman pioneer of diving.

I have found dive computer manuals long and confusing. They need a Quick Start manual that I'd actually read. Take care. Alec

Thanks Mark. Every new diver wants to get his own tank and regulator when that's the easiest and cheapest and most standard bit of gear you ever use. Every tank is the same. Most regs are the same. Get the stuff that's personal to you first - mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit, computer. Take care. Alec

Thank you David.

The Hydros is fine. I suggest you look back at a couple of my videos about the shortcomings of the AIR2 series before deciding on that option. It's reasonably reliable but id is NOT a good substitute for a conventional octo set-up. Alec

Not yet. Is that an invitation? What's the water temp? Alec

Sounds great Jess.

Yep. Maybe. It shouldn't be that way and it doesn't have to be but some dive stores find it hard to get out of the old retail ways. And some have trouble figuring out how to handle on-line buying. Lying sure doesn't help. If you are given a DC free it's still covered by the warranty! No idea where that MAP thing came from. Just trying to get you to buy from them. Stupid. Maybe a vid called "Buying Scuba Gear on a Budget". I'll speak to Kev. Alec

A little louder please. My kids might be listening. Thanks Rider. Nice bike! I've been a biker since 1965. Raced a Ducati 250 Desmo in '66. I've always had bikes and still love them. I have three 1971 Norton Commandos in my garage and my daily is a 2015 Indian Vintage. I don't ride rockets anymore. In no time I'd be pushing it in the corners and fall down. My old bones take months to mend now. Take care and thanks for watching. Alec

@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter Haha, thats an old bike from a while back , Ive had my 2007 Yamaha R1 for 4 years or so now. Its rapid but can be ridden sensible (I've rode around Switzerland /italy/germany/france and back to near London England in 5days ) last day was a 23hr straight ride back home (wrists were in bandages for a week after !) its a hard sporty ride and I should look for something more upright nowadays haha. done a few trackdays (rebuilt a 1998 zx6r) and have friends that race what a lovely collection of bikes you have ! I can imagine thrills of racing "back in the day" when men were men haha. yes , a bike is a sole mate in many of the ways scuba can be and hard to explain to those that have yet to experience. you truly are an inspirational chap and a pleasure to listen to ! and I don't think your brain has aged since you hit your late teens ! haha brilliant. I've watched a few more of your vids and my questions or uncertainties are been laid to rest.

Wow! Sounds like some nice rides. I too have enjoyed (endured) some long rocket rides and suffered the results (sore wrists, back, neck). On today's roads you can't go fast enough to get the uplift you need to ride comfortably on a rocket. I'm a sit-back rider now. That's partly age, partly grown up so I don't have to prove anything anymore. Take care. Good talking. Alec

Hi Michael. The only modern 2 hose regulator is the Kraken. Others claim to have a 2 hose reg, even Aqualung, but they are usually modified single hose or are based on single hose stages. The Kraken, available only from Vintage Double Hose, was designed and built from scratch by 2 hose enthusiasts and engineers to be a modern double hose regulator. It even looks like one. But close examination shows that it's as modern as any regulator on the market - balanced, 3 LP ports, HP ports, etc. It also boasts some features that our old 2 hose regs never heard of - adjustable hard orifice to assist in service, modern filters and a 3500 psi working pressure. Plus it has a unique adjustable venturi on the mouthpiece. This is not a new idea but it's the only one in production and can greatly assist the diver in avoiding free flows and in breathing ease too. I can't do much in the way of a Tech Tip video on the Kraken - it's already done on their website - vinatgedoublehose.com . I hope this helps. Alec

Alec Peirce Scuba. Thanks Alec

Best to watch these videos to help get you ready for a purchase: S03E08 All About Fins, S06E02 Performance Fins and S11E05 Fitting A Fin. These should help you be informed but also visit a dive store to try them on. Check out S08E20 Local dive store vs Online purchase.

We dive under the ice regularly wearing a wetsuit. It's not so much the water temperature, which seldom drops below 32 degrees (0 Celsius), but the duration. Our ice dives are usually 15 to 20 minutes long. Much more than that and a wetsuit starts to lose it's effectiveness in really cold water. Of course there are some personal differences as well. Some divers are quite comfortable longer than others. A dry suit is not a perfect solution to cold water. It is very expensive compared to a wetsuit - generally 4 times more at least ($300 compared to $1500); it is heavier and bulkier; it requires more maintenance and many find it a hardship donning and doffing. However, if you intend to dive regularly and if you want to go deeper, then a dry suit is probably in your future. Note a couple of points. I say deeper is an issue because water pressure affects a wetsuit insulation thickness. A 7mm wetsuit is about 1/2 that thick at 100' and water may flow in and out freely. You'll be cold. Also realize that a dry suit is not 'warmer' than a wetsuit. The heat comes from your body. The dry suit simply retains that warmth longer by using the layer of air-filled insulation to retain the heat and allowing you to overcome pressure by inflating it. I have a good friend in Thunder Bay who owns a big dive shop there. He might be worth contacting - Wally at Thunder Country Diving. Tell him I referred you for some advice. Take care. Alec

Well, thanks for the compliment Argos. You realize that you'd have to endure commercials if I did that? I think this is OK for now. Thanks for watching. Alec

@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter Good point, Just keep the Great videos coming Alec and I or one will be very happy.

Thank you Ajesh. Hope it's been helpful. Alec

We have are videos on both of those David. You'll have to search Tech Tips. I'm glad you've found my vids useful. Thanks for watching. Alec

Today that is controlled by computers. Since the O2 level must change with depth, a modern computerized rebreather automatically sets the O2 level to match the depth. Most will actually read the O2 Partial Pressure (PPO2 - the limiting factor); some also can read the CO2 level in the divers exhaled air and adjust the O2 levels to ensure a save mixture. Various alarms will alert the diver to problems. There are a dozen or more different types of rebreathers depending on the different methods used to measure and/or control the O2 level. In the most basic system, a diver controlled system, O2 levels are changed manually by the diver as he sees fit, and that's the problem. Since each person has slightly different O2 tolerance and since the physical symptoms or signs will vary between individuals, it really comes down to the diver getting enough experience that he can correctly read and then accurately change the O2 level to keep himself safe. Hopefully the diver survives this experimental stage. Signs of O2 deficiency are fairly obvious and need immediate response. Signs of O2 excess are less obvious and can be equally and quickly deadly. In my personal case, I discovered that my eyelids would start to twitch when I had too high a PPO2, then I started to see black dots swimming before my eyes and I needed to immediately reduce the O2 level or decrease the depth. The next phase would possibly be blackout or convulsions. Other divers tell me that they feel like they can't get a full breath, or start to feel woozy, or get anxious. Unfortunately the time between becoming aware of these symptoms and reaching a serious level is short. More than a few rebreather users have not reacted in time. Suffice to say that safe rebreather use depends on training, familiarity with your body and the equipment and a good diving buddy. All of my tips on maintaining your diving gear in good condition apply equally to rebreather users, the difference being that a sloppy rebreather diver will pay with his life. Take care Thomas. Alec

I think all current computers, even the basic, affordable ones, allow switching of gas mixes - during a dive or while underwater, I'm not sure. I'm not sure why you would want to do that. Alec

@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter it's just something that a very experienced diver told me to get, I have no idea also however this guy has been diving over 55 years and is an absolute fountain of knowledge. Could you reccomend any makes or models? I don't want to spend too much but want a user serviceable one and I gave good eyesight however I'm fine with the larger puck designs?? Also a cheap way to monitor the cylinder pressure? Thanks for your advice I was shocked !! You are really great, thank you very much all the way from Liverpool!!

Everyone has slightly different sequence based on experience, cash flow, location and hand-me-down gear. Thanks for sharing Rob. Alec

I can only guess it's liability that motivates manufacturers to make a User's Manual that is so complicated. Reading some of them makes you wonder if "Users Manual" is even the right description. It should be called "The Complete Book of Useless and Hard to Understand Information About Your New Computer"!!!! Now don't take this as Gospel but I often suggest that a diver with anew computer just strap it on and go diving. I know they say to read the entire manual before using it but, if you do that, you'll be late for your planned dive trip next spring!! Here's my premise: Most dive computers today start when you get into the water. That solves "How To Start Your Computer". Most computers from the factory are set for a basic, air-based, no-decompression dive and they will show only the most important information needed for that dive, exactly what you want, in other words. So go diving. Make it a shallow, short dive with a buddy, in an area with which you are familiar and with all of your other gauges still in place. It's called a safe, simple dive. Watch your new computer throughout the dive. Remember, that's the reason you're there. I think you'll find the computer will guide you safely through the dive, depth, time, Dive Time Remaining, ascent rate, safety stop, etc. If you see something on the computer that you don't understand, look it up in the book. This way you will learn to use the computer while diving safely and you will learn only the stuff that applies to you and your diving style. All the other stuff in the book, doesn't apply to you so why read it? Good luck. Alec

@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter Ahhh love IT! Way to go Alec, I'll do as you say. Our first dive with Mares will be the Great Barrier reef Lady Musgrave Island. It will be shallow, so quite a long dive. Pete and I are very good with air and we play by the rules. In February we head to the Philippines and will be diving Malapascua to meet the Threshers at 100' then within 5 weeks we're hoping to do at least 60 dives. We'll be on two livaboards. I'm so proud of myself and so lucky to be fit, healthy and a passionate diver! We're doing a Nitrox course soon, so my computer will be getting a work out too. Thanks for the reassurance. I needed that! Happy diving, Dianne

Oh, One other thing. Have you ever heard of a Baracuda wet suit made in Germany in the 1980's? The material wasn't neoprene. Had no bubbles. It was like stretchy rubber and about 2mls thick. It was as warm as a 10 mil thick neoprene which needs heaps of weights to sink it. The Baracuda needed so little weight, so no air adjustments at all needed through the dive. I was thinner back in the 80's but keep trying to get back to that weight just so I can fit into that beautiful wet suit. I'd love another. Have you come across anything like the Baracuda today? Dianne

Alec Peirce Scuba Hi again Alec, Finally figured out how to set the time on the Mares and I'm taking your advice and will leap into the waters of the Great Barrier Reef and just keep on looking at the computer, and stop worrying about the complexities. Thank you for very sensible advice. Their manual is murder! Happy diving, Dianne,

Glad you enjoyed!

Your choice of gear is good. Obviously if you can, get them both. Then you can practice and get really families with the entire set. However, your analysis is good. The BCD first. Scubapro offers Free Parts For Life which for Scubapro is a saving of over $100 a year IF, you buy a BCD, reg, October and computer. Work with your local dive store to see if they'll let you buy the set to get the FREE PARTS but give you time to pay it off - sort of LayAway. Alec

My first full face mask was the Scubapro Visionaire, Vintage Scuba video S04E02, now that is a FULL face mask and worked well. Today's models are a little more compact, comfortable and reliable and are becoming more popular among recreational divers. Maybe in 10 - 15 years FFM's will become standard along with CCR's and HUD's in masks. Hope I'm around to enjoy it. Thanks for sharing PD.

Hi Wendy. A surface SMB should be kept anytime your diving takes you away from shore or where you need to be seen by a boat for pickup. A DSMB (Delayed SMB) for underwater release can be anytime you want/need to maintain a fixed depth like at a safe stop, to signal the boat your location or drift diving. DSMB's take practice to deploy especially in currents, low vis or obstructions (like a kelp forest). DSMB's need regular practice to be able to deploy safely in any condition and are a real benefit to divers who need help maintaining a safety stop depth. Visit your local dive store to see which model of buoy and reel you like and practice. On one dive with mixed experience a couple had obvious problems slowly surfacing. I deployed my DSMB, let them use the line to hand-over-hand up to the safety stop. On the boat they were very thankful for the help as it was their first dive in a year and were glad for my line. Sometimes its not always to help yourself. Thanks for watching Wendy.

Thanks for watching Josh. Alec

Good idea Richard if you can get all the core items quickly and integrate and checkout before a big trip. When still owned Scuba 2000, customers would come in Friday afternoon to get everything for a trip leaving Saturday! Glad I'm retired now.

Most wrist mounted dive computers like Oceanic OCi, have those features and a wireless integrated dive computers. When I go on a trip my wrist dive computer replaces my watch until I"m home again. Hope this helps. Alec

I think it's just a matter of going into a large dive store with lots of selection and trying on several fins. With new fins you can actually cut either a hole or maybe just a curved bit out of the top of the pocket without the material splitting. You could use a sharp knife or maybe a hot soldering iron. There's a device called 'Fixe Palme' , French I think, that is used to hold a loose fin onto your foot. Maybe a fin that's loose enough enough to be comfortable but secured with Fixe Palme would work. Trident Scuba item #RP57, page 335. Good luck. Alec

Thanks for the advice. All good wishes

The quick, glib answer of course is, the mask that fits you best. However, I think I know what you want. Almost all modern masks from major brand name companies use the best silicon for the skirt and top quality materials for the frame. So what you need to do is go to your LDS (maybe a couple since no store carries all major brands) and try on several masks until you find one that fits easily to your face shape, seals well and is comfortable. Do not even look at the price tag. A top quality mask will cost somewhere between $50 and $150. Expect to pay around $60 or $70 for it. The LDS ought to agree to let you try it on a dive or at least in a pool and exchange it if needed. TUSA makes the highest quality; CRESSI mask are excellent and very comfortable; Scubapro masks are good. Lesser-known names may be as good but they are cheaper for a reason. They cost less to make. Obviously something is not as good. Plus you're less likely to get a good response if the mask doesn't fit. The margins are so low that they simply can't allow returns or exchanges. Sorry, but Joe Diver or Bill Bob Scuba don't make their own masks. They just buy them cheap and sell them. Try the CRESSI Big Eyes EVO if possible. I love it and my head is pretty weird. Good luck. Alec

Thanks for watching. Alec

There is no "model" for saltwater or freshwater. All regs perform well in either environment. If someone tells you that a particular reg is for saltwater only, find a new dive store. Diving in saltwater simply means extra time for care and maintenance to ensure your investment lasts. Alec

I'm in Ontario, Canada but have retired from owning my last dive store Scuba 2000. Thanks for watching Sun.

Good question. Many dive stores still force you to buy a mask even though you really have no idea how they should fit or even how they work. And then they won't allow an exchange if the one you bought isn't suitable. That policy is so unreasonable. Diana and I just bought a new mattress for our workbench (bed). We can use if for 100 days and then take it back if not happy - and I know how mattresses are supposed to work!!! So I suggest that you use the mask provided. Assuming it's a decent mask (not a cheap one for the students), that will give you a chance to see how they work, what they are supposed to do and how it should fit. Then you can get your own with some experience whether at the end of the course or during it. Good luck and welcome to scuba diving. Alec

I'm taking that as a compliment, so thank you. Safe diving. Alec.

Yes it certainly was a compliment Alec. Your video's are Awesome! I have learnt so much as well as the fun stuff.

Thanks Lucky. My hope is for divers young and old to learn something to make their diving safer and fun. Thanks for watching. Alec.

I'm always happy to help an enthusiastic diver Robert. Alec

FFMs (Full Face Mask) are fun. At one time there were a couple of scuba units made for recreational divers that were FF. Now they are generally used by institutional or commercial divers. Technically you can attach a FFM to any 1st stage so using a rental reg would be possible. However, for practical purposes, it's not quite so simple. First you would need to ensure the hose fits. You'd have to use the hose that comes with the FFM or get one when you buy it. That way you simply need to remove the rental 2nd stage with its hose from the 1st stage and then install the FFM hose into the rental 1st stage.The connection at that end of the hose, at the 1st stage, is a standard fit. The connection at the mask end, at the 2nd stage, may not be. Now you will need to have the 2nd stage in the FFM adjusted to match the IP from the rental 1st stage. That's really a service procedure that will take several minutes and MAY require a special tool. That will depend on the make of the FFM. You see, the IP (intermediate pressure) coming from the rental reg 1st stage may not be as required to ensure the FFM 2nd stage works properly. It could either free flow or be hard to breathe. All of this sounds complicated but it's really pretty easy. You simply have to find a dive shop willing to take the few minutes needed to do it. Any competent service person could do it in a few minutes. Good luck. Alec

Alec Peirce Scuba thanks so much! I looked all over but couldn’t find anything, this is a huge help! Have a great day, Ian

Perfect choices 4 Barrel! And as you say, your can easily and cheaply rent the rest, the scuba unit, until you have the money and have decided what you want. Take care and stay in touch. Let me know how you make out. Alec

Yes. Like the mask, it you don't enjoy the dive, you won't dive and getting cold is definitely not fun. Alec

I believe a mask is first as if you can't see, why dive. Alec

Great! That's why I do them and I hope you're getting some good ideas Russ. Alec

I am learning much glad I found your channel. Dive community is great!

I am! She is very smart to notice.

I agree that a wetsuit is a good early choice, particularly if you're not a stock size. The BCD fit can be important though. If it's too big it can still be used with care but if too small it can tip your face underwater on the surface - not good. Take care. Alec

I have 2 old business partners in Key Largo but I suggest that you contact Horizon Divers. They're right in the middle of town, really nice people, small groups (like 3-4-5 divers) and they know the reefs well. Say hi from Alec peirce. (I'm not even sure if they know about my U-Tube channel yet so point that out). They can also suggest good accommodation from top end to low budget. There's a great bar with super food right on the channel close to them called Skippers Dockside. Key Largo food is shrimp and Key Lime pie! Not sure which is the dessert! Have fun in one of my favorite places to dive. Alec

Join the crowd Brandon****. No one can wait to dive. Contrary to popular belief, scuba diving is one of the safest modern sports in the world - much safer than and motorized sport, safer than any team sport, even safer than bowling - yes bowling. In my 60+ years of diving, I've seen most divers die from depression 'cause they couldn't get out diving! Have fun. Alec