Diving gear

John,
If she lives there get something there that can be serviced there! There are many good brands but not all can be serviced on island.
Try Cane Bay.

Hi, Aqualung, Tusa and Sherwood are the most popular among dive shops on the islands. Therefore eas of service and parts replacement.
Scubapro is an excellent brand but, on STT Redhook Dive Center is the only one I know of that has sales/service. They all have "prettier" BCDS' and fins for the ladies. Quality and functionality are yhe same as the mens.

Thanks all. Forgot to mention she isn't on island. actually landlocked in the Southwest but has a watering hole she can use (if the cows don't drink it all)

Just fishing for brands and types of stuff she would need; she's already certified, BTW...

If she is in AZ, have her contact the folks at El Mar in Mesa. They are a big shop and carry many brands. However at the cost to take dive gear on a plane now days I would advise her not to get a BCD and just rent when she gets to somewhere to dive. If she is only going to dive once a year or so, the same with the regulator, as they should be inspected every year. That gets expensive if she is not using it much.

If she is in AZ, have her contact the folks at El Mar in Mesa. They are a big shop and carry many brands. However at the cost to take dive gear on a plane now days I would advise her not to get a BCD and just rent when she gets to somewhere to dive. If she is only going to dive once a year or so, the same with the regulator, as they should be inspected every year. That gets expensive if she is not using it much.

I put everything in a dive bag and checked it without a problem because it didn't exceed the weight. It was $25.00 on United and free on Jetblu. Depending on how many days, renting a BCD can cost more than the checked luggage fee.

She's a little farther east in New Mexico. Was thinking of a gift. Maybe a tank and regulator. Best brands? Best website? Gracias!

She's a little farther east in New Mexico. Was thinking of a gift. Maybe a tank and regulator. Best brands? Best website? Gracias!

Your money will be better spent on regs, mask, bcd etc. Just about every dive operation supplies the tank and air when you book dives. Unless she'll be lake diving in NM with a buddy and not diving with a shop.

BARE makes great BCD's for women. My daughter has one and loves the fit.

Understood regs., masks. Don't know what BCD is. Is there a good online site to find this stuff? And, yes, she will be lake diving.

BCD = buoyancy control device. It's the vest that holds the tank , weights and is used to control/adjust your position in the water.

Dive naked. Everything looks bigger underwater.

Yes everything looks bigger but don't forget shrinkage:-o Just ask George from Seinfeld.:@)

I*f you are spending several hundred dollars, the best thing would be a computer. A BCD is kind of a personal thing. It is best to try them on to see which you like best.
Maybe get her a gift cert from a dive shop in NM

Why not get her a gift certificate to the Dive Shop she frequents and she can pick out what she needs and likes best?

Yes everything looks bigger but don't forget shrinkage:-o Just ask George from Seinfeld.:@)

I*f you are spending several hundred dollars, the best thing would be a computer. A BCD is kind of a personal thing. It is best to try them on to see which you like best.
Maybe get her a gift cert from a dive shop in NM

It depends on where you are. The closer you get to the equator the less shrinkage there is. It's the gravitational pull.

Cressi makes a Travel Lite BC, 5 lbs, that is great for travel. I love mine
I can pack all my gear into a carry on bag or I can pack all my gear and cloths into a checked bag that is around 40 lbs
Most dive gear manufactures are now making gear that is lite and designed for travel
Also, the gear you buy depends on what type of diving she is going to do.
Shop around

Thanks all and Merry Christmas!

Like the gift card idea. That may work best. Course, where she lives the aliens may not have opened a dive shop yet...

And Albuquerque is 200 miles away. But if she could hitch a ride on one of their spaceships........

Thanks again!