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From: jah@brunix.UUCP (Jim Hendler)
Newsgroups: net.rec.scuba
Subject: Re: Results of general information request...
Message-ID: <10581@brunix.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 9-May-85 08:45:16 EDT
Article-I.D.: brunix.10581
Posted: Thu May  9 08:45:16 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 12-May-85 00:00:32 EDT
References: <2058@decwrl.UUCP>
Reply-To: jah@nancy.UUCP (Jim Hendler)
Organization: Brown University Computer Science
Lines: 31


A couple of quick "meta" comments about the equipment list:
a) Be aware that one should NOT ever use a dry suit until you've
   had some special training (or at least tried it in a pool).
   I've known several divers to be in dangerous situations due
   to inexperience at wet-suit use, and they were all
   instructor level.

b) In ALL dive gear comfort is more important than brand or etc.
   At a recent instructors' gathering we were comparing eqpt.
   and discovered that there was little (or no) agreement about
   anything except the above.

c) Don't "pooh pooh" horse collar BCs.  I own 5 BCs (6 if you
  include the one that says "Federal Offense to remove from
  the Aircraft") including 3 horse collar and 2 vest type.  I
  now use my "Fenzy" horse collar style BC almost exclusively.
  (It uses a spare O2 bottle for power inflation, thus providing
  a breathable back-up for emergencies).  I don't recommend this 
  for everyone but I find it more comfortable during the dive (far
  less drag than my vest type BCs).  Again -- go with personal
  comfort over anything else (see b).

d) Dive knives weren't included in your equiptment list.  Neither were
   compasses.  I won't recommend brands or types, but it is a serious
   mistake to dive without both of these.  The dive knife especially,
   I only NEEDED it once (in about 250 dives), but I wouldn't be here
   writing this message if I hadn't had it that time...

Good diving,
 Jim Hender