LM>That doesn't sound as bad as I thought it might be.  The mask,
LM>fins and snorkle are about the same price I paid 18 years ago
LM>(granted I bought good stuff)
It really makes a big difference when you buy good stuff to
begin with.  Lots of folks try to cut corners by shopping at
the discount stores, but the quality of the silicone deteriorates
very quickly, and the darned stuff never fits right.
LM>SE> If you add a dive computer then it would be another $2-500.
LM>
LM>Dive computer?  Is that a grease pencil and a laminated white
LM>card? .
Maybe your first time or two out, but after that you'll learn
to appreciate the convenience of having a dive computer to track
your depth and time.
LM>I agree - it certainly can't hurt and I'm sure my wife would
LM>rather that we learn together.
Husband and wife teams can be a mixed blessing in an Open Water
class.  If one of the partners tends to "help" the other too much,
then we usually separate the team so that both partners can learn.
--- Nibbles on bits!
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