Beginner Questions

[Ryder]

Hi all!

I've been very interested in Freediving in the last couple months and am preparing to make my first big name purchases. I have been doing CO2 and O2 tables which has helped me go from a 1:35 to a 3:20 static hold. I have a class scheduled for mid-june and would like to have my gear before then.

From what I gathered on masks you should try them on to see if they fit your face type, but basically any low-volume mask should do fine

I'm not really sure which direction I should take on fins, hard or soft, plastic or fiberglass(Carbon fiber is too expensive right now)

For my wetsuit, I'm looking to get a custom suit since I don't have the most "off-the-rack" body style(6'4" 210lbs), and I have taken a liking to the Omer Black Moon 5mm, but that doesn't quite come in my size. How much wiggle room should I put when ordering a custom suit and is there a custom suit similar to the Black Moon?

Finally, I'm not sure how different the weight belts, and if there is one weight belt preferred by most freedivers.

Thank you all in advance,

Ryder

 

[Whopperhead]

Ryder - Many will give different advice............. here is mine:

Mask: Aqualung Sphera Mask

Weight Belt: Hammerhead Marseillaise Belt - Spearfishing World

Fins.......... Hard to say. I would almost say that a used pair of Carbon would be worth it. C4's are KING! my back up fins are Cressi plastic fins.

Wetsuit: you are correct.... you more than likely will need a custom. check Eliossub.com or Oceaner.com Both make top of the line suits. not sure if a "off the shelf" suit would work. could go into a shop and try some on, but I would recommend Custom Order.

 

[growingupninja]

If you are planning on spearing, don't buy the most expensive of everything to start out--you'll probably just end up losing it; steep learning curve in the beginning. A nice wetsuit is worth the money though, and you can't really lose that. If you are getting a custom suit, you will need to basically discuss wiggle room with the manufacturer, but an open cell wetsuit is designed to fit very snug, skin tight.

 

[Ryder]

Growingupninja-
I'm most likely not going to be doing any spearfishing, just site-seeing etc.
Do you recommend any other custom wetsuits besides oceaner or elios?

Whopperhead-
Thanks for the advice, I feel like the Sphera is a great mask based on cost and reviews, but I'm worried about the plastic lenses. If you have them do they distort your vision much?

Also, How important is a dive watch? I know for safety it can be a huge help, but is it a necessity early on?

 

[growingupninja]

I don't know much about various wetsuit manufacturers so can't help you there. I suppose a dive watch could enhance safety if you keep it set very conservative but I would not consider it a safety device for beginners. Time and depth are absolutes but your physical state (fatigue, hydration, nutrition) has a much more real effect on what is actually safe at a given moment. Try to find a buddy, and just enjoy yourself, don't push it.

 

[Whopperhead]

Whopperhead-
Thanks for the advice, I feel like the Sphera is a great mask based on cost and reviews, but I'm worried about the plastic lenses. If you have them do they distort your vision much?

Also, How important is a dive watch? I know for safety it can be a huge help, but is it a necessity early on?

I own 3 of these mask and they are perfect. It does not distort vision at all. Or at least not enough for me to notice.

On the Watch........ I would say unless you are diving for longer than a minute or after you take a class....... not as important as a good wetsuit. It is very important though. I never go diving without mine. The main thing is to give yourself enough surface time. If you can't get a dive watch, at least use a digital watch to clock your surface time. That is the most important thing.

About losing your gear...... I don't think I've ever lost any gear. just keep track of your stuff and check your area before you leave.

 

[growingupninja]

Oh yeah, weightbelt: rubber weight belt is mostly used by freedivers so that isn't sliding up and down your torso as you ascend and descend. They are more expensive than a cheap nylon scuba weight belt.

 

[Apneaddict]

To save some $$$ on a suit, get one from Aqualand.com

 

[Ryder]

Thanks guys, appreciate all the help!

 

[Taylor.Stevens]

I own 3 of these mask and they are perfect. It does not distort vision at all. Or at least not enough for me to notice.

On the Watch........ I would say unless you are diving for longer than a minute or after you take a class....... not as important as a good wetsuit. It is very important though. I never go diving without mine. The main thing is to give yourself enough surface time. If you can't get a dive watch, at least use a digital watch to clock your surface time. That is the most important thing.

About losing your gear...... I don't think I've ever lost any gear. just keep track of your stuff and check your area before you leave.

Is a class needed right of way??? IS it to dangerous to learn with a safety buddy and few experienced divers?

 

[Whopperhead]

unless those "Experienced Divers" have taken the class.... it is dangerous. I don't care if they have been doing it for year. If they haven't taken the class, they are more than likely doing it wrong.

You all could take road trip up to Wisconsin July 27-28 for a class. Only $295!!! Gets you Level 1 certified.

 

[esom]

unless those "Experienced Divers" have taken the class.... it is dangerous.

Sorry Whopperhead, our Community is NOT the Catholic Church.

We keep each other safe, through respecting others ways of diving and learn from it.

Things do not get safe because they are the result of the words of an certified instructor who got them directly from Aida (or related sects with a broadband connection to the eternal truth). Please choose your words more carefully.

...Certifications brought many people in situations, which were not safe and where they wouldn´t have gotten, if not a certificate had told them the were ready for it.



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