Frugal Diver Comments
CDN:
I really enjoyed your article about getting more diving for your dollar and especially agreed with the part about buying your own gear. Renting gear is expensive and a hassle. Drive to the dive shop the day before then hurry back the day after. What a pain. The only part I didn’t necessarily agree with was the part about not buying used gear. When my sister’s ex-boyfriend needed money to leave town I was only too happy to help him out (for more ways than one). I got boots, fins, and gloves that were pretty much a generic fit, a good mask and snorkel that happened to fit fine, and a set of US Diver regulators for $100. Of course, I took the regs in to the dive shop and had them serviced. Buying that gear was just the incentive I needed to get certified in the first place. I had wanted to take the class for years, but had always put it off. I think if the gear seems to be in good shape and the price is worth the gamble, why not get the gear, but only if you get it checked out thoroughly by a qualified shop before you use it.

Chris Sharp,
Red Bluff, CA

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