Rent vs. Buy?

[scubagirl309]

I definately think buying new is the way to go, especially for the equipment your life depends on;  regs, and BC.  Most dive shops have great sales this time of year with the end of the season coming and clearing out for next years models.  If the wetsuit you buy on e-bay has a hole the worst that will happen is you will get really cold on your first dive with it, then you patch it up.  If you find a hole in your reg hose at 60 feet, well you get the idea.  You don't have to get everything at once, buy one piece of equipment and rent the others, then another, then another.  Pretty soon the only thing you are buying is air.  As far as justifying it to your wife, I had the same qualms about justifying it to my husband as he does not dive.  I just told him that its all about safety, and that in the long run its always cheaper to buy than rent if you are really going to use it.  On the other hand if you buy everything and never dive again, all bets are off.