Can I rent everything at first?

Recent Post on Scubaboard:

"Can I rent everything at first? My wife and I start our first scuba class in Minnesota next week and will be going to Cozumel first week of April for the open water certification dives. We have mask, fins and snorkels and have snorkeled in (off?) Coz. I've read numerous posts saying we should try many kinds of equipment before buying our own. And a number of posts that if you do own equipment, you should take it ion the trip rather than renting on location. My specific question - is there anything (apart from the mask) that we absolutely should buy ahead of time? I believe the fee for the open water dives includes equipment. I expect we'd have to pay a rental fee if we dive more after the certification dives. Thanks!"

My response:

many good points so far. here's my $0.02 for your first big dive trip in 3 major groupings:

Mandatory (take with you):

• Mask, Fins, and Snorkel - always the first set of personal gear recommended!
• Wrist Mounted Dive computer - tracks your personal dive profile and Nitrogen Loading. Essential for multi-day trips with multiple dive operators. Set your personal dive preferences, and know the features & dive planning capabilities!
• Wrist mounted dive compass.
• Safety Sausage & signaling device.
• Mask defog
• Mesh dive bag to haul your stuff!

Optional (Rent until you know what you want & can afford):

• Reg Set (First Stage, Second Stage and Octo).
• BC (often purchased at same time as reg set, and computer).
• Exposure Protection that fits - falls in the priority here closely.
• Lights (start with a small BC mounted, then add a primary). If planning to do night dives on your trip, move this item up to mandatory!
• Knife/cutting device (EMT Shears work great)
• Emergency Kit - first aid kit, O-rings, straps, tools, etc. (Hopefully your operator will have all you need - but you never know.)

Really Optional! (not practical for Travel):

• Tanks - rent! (until you are ready to afford steel!)
• Weights
• Reel(s)
• Spare Mask
• Pony Bottle/Redundant Air Source - for deep dives

Hope this helps.

Dive Safe!