11 replies to this topic

[Canuck in Texas]

This is a quote from an e-mail my sister sent me. She did an introduction to Scuba in the Dominican. Now she has been bit by the bug and wants advise. I figured this would be the best place to get different opinions.


"I am now serious about getting my open water diving and want to do a trip with your single divers somewhere next spring, summer. I can do it in Moose Jaw and the guys assure me that if you can dive in murky cold Canadian water, the clear warm carribean is a snap.

In Moose Jaw they are certified to teach open water through 2 organizations, a canadian based ACUC and international SSI. They have recommended the ACUC because it is more classroom based rather than online or home study class portion. Both are the same price so it is not an issue.

They recommend that you buy your own mask and snorkel by the end of the class and Im thinking it probably wouldnt be a bad idea to invest in my own wet suit. I think I should probably budget for a full length suit right off the bat if I have to do the dives up here, frick its been a long cold winter and I dont think the lakes are going to warm up any time soon. Plus, I got the impression you wish you had done the longer suit too, it must be cold sometimes.

I need you to do some research for me. Is the ACUC recognized and easily accepted by dive outfits, because if I go PADI I would be looking at Saskatoon, and it's alot harder to drive up there for a class.

What do I look for in a mask and snorkel. What about a wet suit."


Any information will make her life easier.

Maurice

[NJBerserker]

I honestly have never heard of ACUC, but I'm sure they're legit. On the other hand, just about all North American divers have heard of SSI. Taking that into account, it is quite possible that the SSI cert. would be much more widely excepted world wide.

What to look for in a mask: One that FITS!!! Any mask that fits comfortably and properly will do the trick. Anything else is either unneccesary or just gravy.

What to look for in a snorkel: One that BREATHES!!! A dry-top snorkel is preferred so water cant get in on the surface, but that's about it.

Wetsuit: If your sister plans on doing a lot of diving, it would make sense to by her own exposure protection. Proper fit and thickness for the diving she will be doing are the only essentials there. Just my 2psi, I love BARE wetsuits. They rock and I believe they're a Canadian company so any customer service would be relatively local if needed.


I am always amazed at how some people (especially newer divers) make simple pieces of gear a complicated mess. All a mask has to do is let you see u/w. If it fits well and comfortably. . . you're good. Snorkels are even worse. . . it is currently possible to buy a $100 snorkel. What the hell is up with that?!?! Why would anyone shell out that much money for what has to be the most optional piece of dive equipment out there. I NEVER dive with a snorkel. The only time I have ever taken one down with me was during my o/w training . . . and that is only because it was mandatory. I do own a snorkel though. It is a DiveRite dry snorkel that I bought of OWDiver sometime last year for under $30. It is still in the plastic bag it came in. . . unopened. . . in a drawer in my desk. I really wish that LDS's would just level with their newer customers and take some of the anxiety out of buying the most simple and basic gear. *Steps off of soapbox* LOL.

[georoc01]

I concur in that SSI would be universally accepted and I haven't heard of ACUC either.

IF she is going to do quite a bit of local diving, she is probably going to want to dive dry. I would take that into account when making my wetsuit investment. I did dive wet here in Colorado for a couple of years until I bought my dry suit last fall. But I don't think that 7mm is going to get much use going forward. I do dive a 3mm in the tropics and that will continue to get plenty of use going forward.

[divzac]

The previous posts sound good to me so not much to add there. As far as diving in the tropics goes, I have seen the locals dive dry for comfort and others like me that go only as far as a hooded vest in the winter. A 3mm suit is typical here but I also see plenty of 5mm and even 7mm used as well. Even with the 3mm I would suggest a beanie or light hood. At the end of the day, considering all of the different configurations used in the tropics, I havenever heard anyone saying that they were too hot! Just my 2psi mind you

[uwfan]

I think SSI is a more known entity ( I haven't heard of the other), my sister was certified SSI in Alaska. Don't know how far it is from Moose Jaw to Saskatoon, but either SSI or PADI are well known. Snorkel- I actually didn't dive w/ mine last trip, though there were a couple times I would have been more comfortable with it, I'd recommend one that can be folded up and put in a pocket for those "just in case" scenarios. A long 3 mil would probably work well. Depending on the ease of getting the wetsuit on she may also want a skin.

[WreckWench]

Thoughts on snorkels:
I never used my snorkel after open water for the most part...but then my air consumption is good so saving air on the surface is not a big deal for me but is for many. I do HOWEVER USE MY SNORKEL now when we do all these exceptional diving ops with whalesharks, dolphins, humpback whales etc. So I REALLY appreciate my DRY snorkel even more now. It was tremendously helpful when I was learning and now instead of sucking in saltwater I only get...well NOTHING when the top of my snorkel goes under water. Quite helpful for when you are focused on getting that perfect picture and now you can't breath AND you have a mouth full of saltwater.

Thoughts on wetsuits:
Owning your own suit is always the way to go if you are really going diving. (Think about others peeing in it and you soon no longer want to use a rental one!) Plus ANY thickness you have will be used at some point in time. Heck I use my thick ones when I dive in the caribbean...but then I also live in Texas where it was over 80 degrees yesterday too!

So yes to getting your own gear as much as you can and yes you'll own several wetsuits over time...none are wasted and ALWAYS go full length to protect arms and legs from sea stings of all shapes and fashion.

p.s. girls always get colder than guys...even Canadian gals!

[Morish Idol]

have not heard of the ACUC but did some looking up of them on the good ole web. they are based in Brantford ,Ontario. which is not far from Toronto. most people will know where TO is compard to Brantford. they also have a website which really didn`t provide a whole lot of info. but if anyone is interested here is the link.....
http://acuc.ca/index.htm
but for your sister i would have to say use SSI. they are more widely recognized it appears then ACUC is. hell i lived in Ontario for most of my life and have never heard of them.
hope this might help you out.
good luck
oh and by the way it is a little over 2.5 hrs from Moose Jaw to Saskatoon.
a little more info on the ACUC.. i found this page also....
http://www.acuc.es/w...vos/Page960.htm

Edited by Morish Idol, 22 April 2009 - 04:01 PM.

[scubaski]

I saw on the ACUC page that they have a link to CMAS which is a large French-Euro dive agency.

[shadragon]

ACUC History Here

Being a Canuck I do know of ACUC and it is no different than any other organization. I have not taken any courses with them, but did meet an instructor once and he was a decent fella. SSI would be more recognized in the US and abroad.

The more gear of your own you own the better. I would suggest a two piece Farmer John (Jane) wetsuit. In Canada you wear both halves, but in the Caribbean you can just wear the top (shortie with long arms) or bottoms (arms exposed). Mine is shown in the picture below.

As for the rest a decent well fitting mask. Regs suggested, but not absolutely needed.

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[PerroneFord]

Do the SSI. If this many avid divers have never heard of the ACUC (and I hadn't either) chances are many operators will not have heard of them either. No one is going to question an SSI card.

As for exposure protection, she's really in a spot. If she has ANY plans on local diving, tell her to go dry. Period. She can pick up a cheap 3mm suit for tropical diving later, but she needs to have something to protect her where she's at. And that wet neoprene isn't going to enhance the experience one bit.

Masks are a personal fit item like shoes. I've never had much use for a snorkel when diving, so I don't bother with them.

[Canuck in Texas]

Thought everyone would enjoy my sisters response to everyones help

Maurice


"holy, this is a bit scary to see your quote on the net and people answering. It's kind of like letting a secret out of the bag and hearing someone talk to you about it at the grocery store the next day.

I appreciate the quotes that came back from the group. Thanks again.

Johanne"

[Kuraman]

I agree with everthing said in the previous posts. Go with SSI, I have never heard of the other group either
A mask the fits well, comfortable and doesn't leak is worth $$$$$$ more that a fancy mask that you always have to mess with.
I too never dive w/ a snorkel, but there is always one in my dive bag, because almost everywhere I have been there are opportunities for some fantastic snorkelling sp???

In the Caribbean and SE Asia I dive in a t-shirt, so not the best about advice on a wetsuit, but there are some cool water dives I love to do, and I got a custom made suit last year in Bali cheaper than most suits in the US.

Kuraman