Conference noted::scuba

    I'm headed to the Galapagos this June and have a few questions. For 
    background, I've never scuba dived or snorkeled before.
    
    We'll have opportunities to snorkle almost every day of 15 days that
    we're actually on the boat around the islands.  I've been reading
    guidebooks and such to try to get a feel for the temperature of the
    water.  Some books say the temperature could be as cold as high sixties
    in June.  The folks who are leading the trip are recommending a shorty
    wet suit if you're inclined to get cold, but I'm thinking a full
    wetsuit might be required.  I do get cold easily, but don't want to 
    carry the extra weight and bulk if I don't have to.  
    
    So, if we assume temperatures in the high sixties to mid seventies,
    and snorkeling only (i.e., near the surface), how much should I wear
    to stay warm?  1 ml wetsuit?  2 ml wetsuit?  shorty?  I'm pretty much
    convinced that a swimsuit will not be enough, though the guide says
    he never wears a wetsuit in the Galapagos.
    
    Also, we have to bring our own gear, so I've been looking at fins, 
    snorkels and masks as well.  Where's a good place to look in the
    southern NH or northern MA area?  I've looked at one dive shop in
    Amherst, NH.  They had some nice stuff but the wetsuits all zipped up
    the back, and I'm assuming the zipper would be easier to use if it 
    were in the front.  Also, they seemed rather expensive.  Any shopping
    tips?
    
    I'm not normally very comfortable in the water, but know that fins 
    make a big difference to my confidence level.  I've also been told 
    that the added bouyancy of the wetsuit adds a lot of confidence.  Is
    there anything else that I should consider before buying gear?  Is an
    inflatable vest recommended for folks who aren't great swimmers?  Or 
    is the wetsuit/fin combination likely to be enough?
    
    I'm so psyched!
    
    Thanks,
    Karen.

    2mm Wetsuit 	~$200
    Fins 		~ $90
    Mask		~ $60
    Snorkel		~ $10
    Weights		~ $15
    			-----
    			~$375

    My recommendation is to shop around for a snorkeling class.  Tell
    each store your need (for the trip) and that you want to try various
    types of equipment during the class.  Also, tell them what you think
    you may be purchasing.
    
    During the class/practice sessions, try different types of equipment.
    The value in trying different equipment should makeup for the price
    of the class.
    
    Another option is to take a scuba class, you should have plenty of
    time to learn (before the trip).  If you are planning on purchasing
    a wetsuit, mask, fins, and snorkel anyway the additional cost may be
    something you would consider.
    
    You would need to pay for the diving class plus at least pay for renting
    a B.C jacket and regulators for the trip.  A good/great deal this would
    be $400-$500 per person. (above your planned snorkel expense).  Once
    you are a diver, you are a diver for life so most of this would be a
    one time expense.
    
    Rob

    I've been to the Galapagos three times and did quite a bit of
    snorkeling though I have not been diving there (yet!), once in October,
    once in November, and once in June.  I just wore a nylon dive skin. 
    You might want a shorty if you chill really easily, and you'll want to
    wear a skin even if you never get cold, because you can sunburn real
    easily right on the equator, and you won't notice until too late
    because the water is cool.  Most places most times the water
    temperature is in the mid-sixties.  Warmer than swimming off Cape Cod,
    but far from tropical.  There are some warmer areas, and all bets are
    off during an El Nino.
    
    Any dive shop can outfit you with a mask, snorkel, fins, and whatever
    you think you will need for a suit (I would just get a nylon diveskin).
    Have the store help you determine that the mask fits properly so it
    won't leak.  Snorkels are totally non-critical; might as well get one
    that matches the mask unless you find the mouthpiece real
    uncomfortable.  Make sure that your fins fit; if they are too big they
    will flop around and cause blisters.  (Whatever boat you are on may have
    snorkeling gear anyhow.)  If you tend to sink even in salt water (a
    problem I've never had, but my skinny kid brother sinks like a rock),
    you might want a snorkeling vest, which is sort of like a life
    preserver.  If you get one of these things, try it on inflated to make
    sure it doesn't chafe.  You won't need weights unless you buy a
    neoprene wetsuit and/or are a real serious snorkeler.
    
    Have a blast!  It is a marvelous area.  Bring piles of film.  Get some
    of the one-use waterproof cameras to use while you are snorkeling with
    the sea lions.  You'll regret it if you don't - the pups and females
    are very playful and graceful in the water (don't mess with the bulls).
    
    /Charlotte
                                                                           

    Stores in the area that have good selections of gear are:
    
    Diver's Den, Manchester NH
    Discover Diving, Atkinson NH (just east of Salem NH near the MA border)
    Aquatic Specialties, Merrimac NH (across 101A from Pennichuck Square)
    
    Aquatic Specialties has a (small) pool so you can try stuff to see if
    you like it.  They don't have as much gear in stock as the other two,
    but are knowledgable and can get anything you want quickly.
    
    I didn't find any stores in northern MA that were worth going back to.
    I suspect the no sales tax angle makes it difficult for MA stores to
    survive this close to NH.
    
    Steveg

    Karen, if you chill easily, I would recommend a wet suit.  After diving
    in Grand Turk in October in 85 degree water, I was cold near the end of
    my second dive! Mid sixties is going to feel cold real fast.  The water 
    pulls the heat from your body 25 times faster than the air does. 
    August in NH (Rye, Hampton) usually is only 70 degrees, how long can
    you stay in that comfortably?
    
    I have to agree if you're thinking of getting an inflatable vest
    ($300+/-) and snorkle gear, and a diveskin, you may want to learn to 
    SCUBA dive.  I was certified last June thru Aquatic Specialties in 
    Merrimack NH.  Tim Welch (the instructor) is a fabulous teacher and has 
    been diving for 30+ years.  My husband and I considered getting our 
    certification thru the YMCA, but after talking with Tim, we decided on 
    semi-private lessons that worked around our schedule rather than the Y's 
    (it wasn't much more $$ either).  Ross Kniffen, the owner of the shop
    has at least 30 years of dive experience and is very helpful.  They
    will help you in outfitting yourself for your trip and possibly give you
    some good insight on what you will and will not need to make you more
    comfortable.
    
    Have a great trip!!
    
    /annie
    
    

First off I'll admit that I'm a wimp and I'd like to be toasty warm when I dive.

I bought a Black Maxx 3 & 2mm one piece wet suit for a trip to Kauai this winter
and it wasn't warm enough.  Water temps were in the low 70s (I think -- don't
have my log books in front of me).

If I was diving in upper 60s low 70s water, I'd probably get a one-piece 6mm
wetsuit minimum.

However, if you think you'll ever get into SCUBA diving, and you live in the
Northeast, I'd squander on a two piece 6 or 7mm suit that's composed of a farmer
john bottom and a short-legged, long sleeved top. Then you only need to buy a
wetsuit once.  When you go on your trip bring both parts and decide if you want
to dive in just the top, the bottom or both.

Note you do NOT want a beavertail top, since they're very uncomfortable to wear
without the bottom (understatement).

                              Roak

Ps.  You'll also need weights in order to submerge with a wetsuit.  A wetsuit
turns you into a cork :-)

When I dived the Galapagos Islands about 3 years ago, I wore the top
half of my 1/4 inch wetsuit and got a little bit cold on the longer
dives.  For snorkeling, you probably can get away with a 3mm suit
but I'd go for full length, not a shorty. 

If I go back to the Galapagos, I'd definitely take my drysuit next time...

			-Maria

    gee talking about cold, about two weeks ago me and my dive buddy went
    to Rock Port and it was 40 near the top and 37 at 55'.  My toes were
    numb and my finger started to hurt on the second dive.  Luckily nothing
    else froze off;)