Scuba Divers...

[ichy]

If you really get into it sure your wallet is going to take a hit. I have 100+ dives and still no computer, no BC, etc. Just mask, fins, snorkel, wetsuit and a knife. Oh, Camera - that's where the money hit comes in. 1000 bucks to dip your toe and it only goes up from there. OP needs to focus on being comfortable with diving first.

It's like golf, it seems expensive at first because you're dropping money everywhere...and then you learn to play smart.

I bought an underwater digital camera for around $300. Certainly not great quality, but good enough to take some cool photos that I could put up on Facebook.

Once you have all the gear the main expense associated with diving is travel. I knew a guy who was lucky enough to live near some great dive sites in Florida, and he said once he had his equipment it was actually a pretty affordable hobby for him. Unfortunately I live in Maryland and the prospect of diving in cold, dark quarries doesn't appeal to me, so scuba diving remains a pricey passtime.

 

[Spg]

If you really get into it sure your wallet is going to take a hit. I have 100+ dives and still no computer, no BC, etc. Just mask, fins, snorkel, wetsuit and a knife. Oh, Camera - that's where the money hit comes in. 1000 bucks to dip your toe and it only goes up from there. OP needs to focus on being comfortable with diving first.

It's like golf, it seems expensive at first because you're dropping money everywhere...and then you learn to play smart.

I rented gear at first, but now I dive at least every other weekend if not every weekend. So it made sense for me to own my own gear. Do you have to? No. Renting sure helps the wallet at first, but once you figure out diving is for you and you are going to do it often enough owning your own gear is great. Instead of paying $20-$40 to rent equipment for diving I can pay less than $5 for a few air fills (after buying the gear).

You also don't have to buy the Halcyon or scubapro gear either. But renting gear is easier/better for many people. It does not matter as long as you can get out, get wet and be safe!

Those camera prices can get crazy just like everything else. You just have to find the level of equipment you are comfotable with. That and you can buy it a piece at a time and spread it out over years if you need to. If you want to talk crazy, look into tech and cave diving. That takes way more money.

 

[Gooberlx2]

OP, where do you live? After certification, you might be able to get free diving experience by volunteering at your local aquarium or zoo (if you have one), depending on their standards and how full their schedule already is.

 

[purbeast0]

I live in Maryland so not too much going on around here heh.

 

[Gooberlx2]

I live in Maryland so not too much going on around here heh.

Actually, the NAIB is one of the best aquariums in the states with a lot of research effort happening. Right there with Shedd, Atlanta and Monterey Bay.

That said, I'd bet they have a high bar for volunteering. Probably need at least your Advanced Diver's cert. They probably don't have a lack of applicants either.

http://www.aqua.org/volunteer_certifieddivers.html