Leviathan Scuba What to Buy First

[@thescubanurse]

Love knowing you in person, Mr. Leviathian!! Makes it easy to see just how much of yourself - your passion & integrity you throw into these videos. That “come have a cup of coffee” is such a genuine invitation and I love that. Thanks for being willing to have these conversations several times over with all your newbies. It’s easy to see just how MUCH you care about all your divers - and makes us so proud to support our local dive shop. I may not be quite ready to dive without a mask strap yet - but you are the absolute best & you know we’ll keep following you around to breathe underwater wherever you’re going!! 🤿🫧

[@LeviathanScuba]

You are the kindest!!! Easy to care for someone like you. Honest, open and brave! Did I mention brave? I know when it gets scary sometimes it is easy to give up and bail but when you stick to it and overcome, that is true bravery. It is a true privilege and honor to be included in your journey. Excited to keep going. Thank you for the kind words. Thanks for watching. More to come soon. Freddy

[@maxheadrom3088]

Kudos for the "keep your local diveshop in business"!!!! Won a bunch of respect, Mr. Leviathan!

[@LeviathanScuba]

Absolutely! Thanks for watching. Freddy

[@heddge7718]

It really shows how much you care about your audience and the hobby/sport itself. keep it up dude we need more people like yourself in our world🙏

[@LeviathanScuba]

Soo kind. Thank you. Help us spread the word. It just seems like we are growing sooo slow. But we will not sacrifice the integrity and the quality. Thanks for watching. Freddy

[@Jamessmith-ep3iz]

You found a lifetime subscriber! Fantastic videos. My first was your video on mask choices-man, it is so informative!! Thank you for investing so much effort into this channel you’ve created. I never leave reviews, but this has to be my favourite channel out there.

[@coralkeyscuba]

Wow James, thank you for the great words. We try hard to do the "right thing" and make them quality. More coming soon. Take care, Freddy.

[@tonka4512]

Still researching about scuba & learning before I jump to get certified. luv the rants, because you talk about real scenarios & that’s what I need to hear; real scenario’s are the 1 that could safe your life one day.

[@bucks7440]

Your reviews are the best. Love listening to your video's and all the expertise you have. It saves me a lot of time and mistakes I would have made otherwise, purchasing the wrong products!

[@LeviathanScuba]

That is exactly why we do it. More to come soon. Freddy

[@darkzak47]

Fred, my wife and I are about to finish open water certification. She has never dove before. I learned to dive back in college 30 years ago and got 41 dives under my belt before life interceded. Had my own gear back then but 30 years of disuse and poor storage, took its toll. Now I’m finding myself completely unable to recognize what’s new, what’s good, and as you said, what’s quality. Looking forward to watching some of your other videos on gear selection and the like

[@coralkeyscuba]

Any way I can help you decide please just let me know. I want you safe, in good gear, and comfortable. That way you will continue diving and hopefully help us take care of the sea. First of all, anything 30 years old should hit the museum or the garbage can. Next, do your research well and buy quality name brand as you can. There are so many products out there that we get overwhelmed with requests and can't get to them. So, we are putting out videos on what to look for in a _____. More of those coming soon. Remember it is life support and quality makes a difference. Thanks for watching. More to come soon. Freddy

[@_earthtojen]

Glad I found this video. I just got certified and I was worried about the cost of all the equipment for my new hobby.

[@coralkeyscuba]

Just go slow and get the right stuff. It is a marathon not a sprint. Make it fun. Thanks for watching. More to come soon. Freddy

[@senelonaxonite8933]

I absolutely agree Fred!! Going slow is the best to explore the options! But I think you forgot to mention some side tools that are also essential like: Magnetic Shaker Reef hook Divers tool kit etc These are not the top priority ones at first but eventually any person will need who do the regular diving 😊

[@bloodymarvelous4790]

Nobody needs a magnetic shaker, and very few people need a reef hook. You can bang your cylinder with a bolt snap, and reef hooks have a very limited application.

[@LeviathanScuba]

Yeah man, sooo many products out there that I could have mentioned. Each dive could actually call for a different item depending upon the type of dive. Thanks for watching more to come soon. Freddy

[@markm6216]

This video (first I've watched from Leviathan) got me to suscribe........great advice

[@LeviathanScuba]

Thank you. I am looking for positive topics to add. Thanks for watching. More to come soon. Freddy

[@Alex-ev3gd]

"Have some Grog, and spend the next year on my Klipper" :D Edit after reason event at the lake: Even as most costly sale, I would tell everyone to buy regulators first. Buddy lend one from his dive-shop and it was long due to service. The Octo lost air and was completly filled with mud. I recommend to have all live-safeing equipment first and maintain the revission-scedules. After that you should go from essential to compfort equipment.

[@coralkeyscuba]

On my way!!! And yes, in some of the upcoming vids I will be actually taking a sip or two from the mugs. Thanks for watching. More to come soon. Freddy

[@723snoopy]

love your videos!! I think this is the 5th video of yours I've watched in a row since I found your channel yesterday :)

[@nickgeva8225]

Im so glad I found your channel it is the best scuba channel on KZbin I have found!

[@LeviathanScuba]

Thanks Nick. We try to make it relevant and helpful. No BS right? More to come soon.

[@jasonwilson4185]

Jusyt recently subscribed, have watched only a couple of your videos. One wish, when you mention that you have done a video on a particular topic, that you had a link to it below the video or as a pinned comment. That aside, really appreciate your approach to informing us (especially us new folks).

[@LeviathanScuba]

Great suggestion. Much appreciated. I still have much to learn. Thanks for watching. More to some soon. Freddy

[@Dreoni_]

Hi Freddy, what were the 2 bad regulators you talked about at 3:00 ? Also, love your videos and honesty!

[@LeviathanScuba]

Didn't mention the names because without a proper review I didn't want to disparage any brands. Hint, they are in Korea and 1 in China. The one from Korea is the worst and sells on the market from $99 to about $145. Will do a review before too long. Thanks for watching Dreoni. More to come soon. Freddy

[@BillieLo]

Thank you for your sincere words. ❤

[@davidressler9316]

The good thing about buying locally in a store is you can look at it and try it on. I always found it problematic that people will shop in person and then buy it online. I think it hurts small retailers

[@benhotzfeld1261]

Love this content! I only live a short drive from your shop will definitely have to come by and have some coffee with you

[@coralkeyscuba]

Come on big dog! Look forward to it. Thanks for watching. More to come soon. Freddy

[@bradballard4588]

Very good point on supporting your LDS and ask them for a deal. That $ lost up front on the sale is made up with a lifetime customer, word of mouth sales, etc. The dive shop sells the experience. Their first question for a new customer would be what kind of diving do you see yourself doing, then let that guide recommendations.

[@rafalguza438]

Thank you so much for creating this Fred! Very informative and simply best video out there! This should have 💯 k likes

[@LeviathanScuba]

Thank you so much. We had a lot more before we changed our name and KZbin made us start over. Thank you for watching, will have more vids soon. Freddy

[@Takman74]

Super happy I found this channel. I’m in the process of completing an open water course myself. Lifelong dream to dive. I’d love for you to do a video that recommends some quality beginner gear. Thank you thank you thank you for this video.

[@coralkeyscuba]

Check out our video on what to buy first. Tom, my recommendation to you being it is your lifelong dream is DON'T buy beginner gear. Buy the right gear for the type of diving you are going to be doing. Go slow, research well and buy quality and it will serve you well. Thanks for watching. More coming soon. Freddy

[@Takman74]

@@coralkeyscuba that’s kinda what I was getting at from your video. Is to get the right gear. I live in Canada and will be primarily diving in cool/cold water in the summer months. The thing that I’m finding overwhelming is the shear amount of gear that’s out there. I don’t want cheap gear. I want the best gear to fit me as you suggested in the video. I have picked up some great things from your channel. Thanks for sharing. I’m looking forward to your series you mentioned in the video.

[@LeviathanScuba]

Hey Tom, how did it go? You finished with your course? Hope so and hope you got your first dives in. Take care. Freddy

[@maxheadrom3088]

Here in Brazil, a nice diveshop at Paraty suggested the first thing to buy is the wetsuit. Their recommendation comes from the fact it's quicker to adjust the counterweights. Notice that this is a recommendation for warm water fun diving. Also, regulators, computers and most of the other gear are really expensive here (currently). Note: pee is the cleanest liquid that comes out of the human body. It's cleaner than salive and sweat.

[@LeviathanScuba]

Thanks for sharing about the pee, Haha. Wetsuits are the item that wears out the fastest so it is not crucial if you start or don't with that. Other items as I mention in the video are more important mainly because they are safety related. Thanks for watching. Freddy

[@ariefpoerniawan]

Some folks just want once investment with good gear… for me, whar to buy priority are 1 dive comp, shearwater pergrine or garmin decent 2 mask, tusa freedom Hd, or tusa paragon 3 fin, buy jetfin 4. Regulator, never buy cheapest one, instead buy with hood aftersakes service availsble in your area, this regu can last very long time, for me i buy oms airstream evoque, it is come with tech spec 5. Bcd, i buy backplate bcd from oms comfort harness 2 since it is very modular…and you can set it up with any configuration, and for me it is expensive but it is worth the money, the only downside is very heavy specially when traveling, other than this you can try oms iq lite. 6. Wet suit, And the most important of all is DSMB, always bring it whenever you dive That the priority to me

[@LeviathanScuba]

Every diver will have their favorites for different reasons. Suggestion, wait to buy the Garmin until my video comes out. I love Garmin brand and ingenuity. However, the Decent Mk 2 i is a "do not buy"

[@jacobking1267]

@Leviathan Scuba yall have said it time and time again, that you don't just want to tell people what to by. I'm newly certified, looking to expand my skill set quickly to nitrox and deep diving. I live in California and primarily boat dive the channel Islands. What would be some really key features to looking for in a primary regulator, or possibly a suggestion or two to looking into. Your feedback is so much appreciated and can't wait to see the next video. Thanks

[@ivoryjohnson4662]

Great video I appreciate your honesty

[@nanami73_]

Waiting so long to for you to start drinking that beer and having some more fun

[@coralkeyscuba]

This season, I'm taking drinks from real drinks. So, its your fault, haha. Thanks for watching. More to come soon. Freddy

[@GrimOxford]

I know I got some flak for having free diving fins for scuba, but they fit my big feet and they’re very effective for moving through the water, although I have to be a bit more conscious about fin location. 😅 Before I even started my class I had my fins, mask/snorkel, dsmb, line cutter, and a Shearwater Teric with an AI transmitter. I just recently bought my own BCD, decided on the Tusa Conquest II and will soon be buying my own reg set and lead. I would appreciate your opinion on a good reg set that’s ideally under $500 for warm water diving.

[@LeviathanScuba]

$500 for the set is a little tough these days. The Tusa RS 1207 with Tusa ss0007 Octo is great bang for the buck. You stepped up on the computer. You might consider avoiding the octo all together and get a secondary air for your BCD. It will eliminate the octo but you will have it available for you on your bcd. One less hose, item to maintain and service and you are more streamlined. I will recommend being cautious on going cheap on a reg. The features and "Finesse" or breathability and adjustability are nice to have that you don't get on many of the more affordable more basic regs. Hope it helps. Thanks for watching, more to come soon. Freddy

[@bloodymarvelous4790]

@@LeviathanScuba That's the absolute worst advice I've ever read, and coming from a SCUBA dive store, you should really be ashamed. A secondary air for your BCD is more expensive than an octo, needlessly complicates everything in an emergency/OoG siguation, and it definitely needs regular servicing. Suggesting that you don't need to service your alternate air if it's integrated into your inflator is, to put it mildly, dangerous. $500 for a regulator set is definitely very much at the low end. Save some more and spend about $750. If you need to skimp on your initial purchase, skip the SPG for now since you've already got an AI computer and transmitter. I would recommend getting an analog SPG, but since it'll most likely be a backup to your transmitter, you can postpone the purchase. Definitely get a cold water rated regulator. Stay away from titanium. It's expensive, and doesn't handle increased oxygen content and cold water that well, even if it is rated for cold water and up to 40% oxygen. A lot of people will recommend a light weight regulator for travel, but you can (more often than not) have it as a personal item in addition to a carry-on bag, so weight isn't really an issue.

[@coralkeyscuba]

@@bloodymarvelous4790 I know there are those that don't like the secondary air sources but to say the worst advice and I should be ashamed. Wrong. I love the things and give advice to people as if they were a personal friend. Many divers are choosing the secondary air sources for the benefits described in the video. 1. Not complicated. Actually one less item to worry about. You need air in an emergency, I give you the one in my mouth so I am sure it works fine. 2. I didn't say you don't need to service your alternate air. I said one less item to service because you don't have an inflator. We service the secondary air source at the same time as the reg. for the same fee. 3. Servicing a cold water reg costs significantly more than a warm water reg. Just the O2 lube adds $25 when not needed for warm water diving. Plus the oxygen rating is exactly the same on both. 4. The only negative with Titanium is the cost. My ratings on the titanium regs were right on and I lowered their rating because of the cost / value. I have a suggestion for you, stop watching the channel! You are always looking for a fight. I will dive with you any day of the week and pretty sure you won't embarrass me. 51 years experience, military experience, I dive with some of the top professionals in the world. I don't show it off but if you don't think you can trust me then stop watching. I care for the diving community and want to make it better. Call it like I see it when there is bad gear out there or dangerous practices. I don't believe secondary air sources are dangerous in the least unless you have no skills at all. Freddy

[@coralkeyscuba]

@@bloodymarvelous4790 @bloodymarvelous4790 I know there are those that don't like the secondary air sources but to say the worst advice and I should be ashamed. Wrong. I love the things and give advice to people as if they were a personal friend. Many divers are choosing the secondary air sources for the benefits described in the video. 1. Not complicated. Actually one less item to worry about. You need air in an emergency, I give you the one in my mouth so I am sure it works fine. 2. I didn't say you don't need to service your alternate air. I said one less item to service because you don't have an inflator. We service the secondary air source at the same time as the reg. for the same fee. 3. Servicing a cold water reg costs significantly more than a warm water reg. Just the O2 lube adds $25 when not needed for warm water diving. Plus the oxygen rating is exactly the same on both. 4. The only negative with Titanium is the cost. My ratings on the titanium regs were right on and I lowered their rating because of the cost / value. I have a suggestion for you, stop watching the channel! You are always looking for a fight. I will dive with you any day of the week and pretty sure you won't embarrass me. 51 years experience, military experience, I dive with some of the top professionals in the world. I don't show it off but if you don't think you can trust me then stop watching. I care for the diving community and want to make it better. Call it like I see it when there is bad gear out there or dangerous practices. I don't believe secondary air sources are dangerous in the least unless you have no skills at all. Freddy

[@johntaylor1947]

One thing I tock from my open water training is how important a dive knife is due to mono filament fishing line that can't be seen under water and can be very strong and can entangle a diver.

[@TheSmileyTek]

I'm so excited about my Open Water training, coming up soon. Your videos have really help me out. I'd done a ton of research, and I've taken my time, but we're ready to make some purchases. I'm a tech nerd, and beyond the basics, I do know I'll be buying my son and myself a legit dive computer at some point. But, we're going to complete the course, and get a few dives logged before moving on those big purchases. We'll start with good fitting goggles, flippers etc., then we'll look at regulators and computers. I'm thinking we'll just be renting BCDs and computers for now. Is this a reasonable path?

[@LeviathanScuba]

Sounds good to me. I caution people to go slow and let your actual dive experience guide you in what you need. You can think about it all you want and go out and melt the credit card then find out that your actual diving might guide you towards a different piece of equipment. Make sense? Many places won't rent dive computers and those that do will most likely have a cheap and easy one with less features for simplicity sake. A dive computer is life support and getting the right one can make a difference to your comfort level and safety. Quality makes a bigger difference in dive equipment than many other sports. I am excited for you because I know the world you are about to join and it is awesome. Thanks for watching. More to come soon. Freddy

[@TheSmileyTek]

@@LeviathanScuba Done. I will definitely let experience gained over time guide further investment. We just picked up the required mask, snorkel, and fins this weekend. Some decent ones. That’s it for now, of course. 2 weeks out from the first weekend. Went to the pool today, to practice clearing water from our masks, and the valsalva maneuver in the deeper water. My son and I are ready to learn. So happy to do this with him.

[@TheSmileyTek]

@Leviathan Scuba I ended up purchasing a reg set and dive computer first, then a 5mm wet suit 6 months later. The next thing on my list is a BCD. I've narrowed down to 2. Either the Aqua Lung Axiom or the Scuba Pro Hydros (seems easy to travel with?). Have you had any experience with the Axiom or Hydros? I know the Hydros is almost double the price, but it's just caught my eye. I do think the Axiom is more what I'm looking for, being a jacket style. So I'm leaning Axiom.

[@R1RoLLER]

I would love to buy my gear from this guy! Thanks for a great video!

[@LeviathanScuba]

WWW.LeviathanScuba.com Haha, thanks for watching. Freddy

[@DennisCamps]

Subscribed , love your honesty!

[@LeviathanScuba]

Yay! Thank you!

[@mariamsaldanha_aot1768]

Thank you this helped me a lot!!!

[@nickweinberger5978]

@LeviathanScuba I can't find the videos on the regs you mentioned

[@kbone2958]

Question about a dive computer. I already have an Apple Watch Ultra what’s your thoughts on using it as a dive computer . With dive tables starting out ?

[@LeviathanScuba]

As you already have the watch then I think it would be good for you. Things I don't like about it are #1 it is non air integrated. 2, it requires payment to even use. Like a subscription. Personally I just hate when companies do that. Eventually, I believe everyone should go to air integration. It is safer and adjusts to your diving profile as you dive. Check out a few of our other videos about dive computers. They can answer further questions. Thanks for watching. Freddy

[@nicyjones]

Anyone know what two brands of regulators are garbage. Or where his video is where he talks about them. I cant find it.

[@LeviathanScuba]

Hint, Brand new right now they retail for $129. No one services them in the USA except one shop in florida.

[@tedjaeggi4766]

Hey Freddy, love your shirt. I actually have that same shirt on. LOL..

[@jhare18]

Best Advice. Thank You 🥇🥇🥇🏆🏆🏆👏👏👏👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@coralkeyscuba]

You are very kind. Thank you. Thanks for watching. More to come soon. Freddy

[@nicosirch]

Love your vids! Greets From germany

[@coralkeyscuba]

Ihr Willkommensgruß. Thank you for watching. More to come soon. Freddy

[@philo2197]

Why’d you stop posting?

[@coralkeyscuba]

We are continuing. But numerous delays got in our way. Lost our Producer, Got cancer (ok now), Building a new set, and filming a new category called On Location showing dive locations around the world. It is costly and takes a lot of time. Rest assured we will begin posting soon again. Thanks for watching and checking on us. Freddy

[@coralkeyscuba]

Have you noticed were back at it?

[@johnwilliamsscuba6487]

What Brand is that? I hate when you people say "life Support" yeah we kind of know it already. To me that phrase is an up sale tactic.

[@coralkeyscuba]

As we don't sell it wasn't used in that way. There are some products that really are not optional and have a priority over others. Life support would be a crucial piece of equipment that provided exactly that. Sorry if it is over used but I really meant it for what it states. Thanks for watching. More to come soon. Freddy

[@johnwilliamsscuba6487]

Freddy here's a thing I don't like the way the scuba industry works. It is what it is there's no fixing it I got it the equipment manufacturers make a very good piece of equipment a few years later they want to make another product and sell another one so they stopped making spare parts for the old one forcing people to buy a new one. Yes they have to stay in business

[@W122ard1]

Shit what is two brand of junk regulators? I have aqualung and now thinking may it is one of it?

[@LeviathanScuba]

It is not an Aqualung. One is a Korean made and the other is China made. They are really cheap, usually $99 to $145. Not releasing the names at this time until after our review. Thanks for watching. Freddy

[@W122ard1]

@@LeviathanScuba could you provide some info when this review expected? Las video was 7 month ago so i thinking that channel was abandon...

[@LeviathanScuba]

@@W122ard1 Not abandoned. Just filming our on location videos and building a new set. Just don't buy Korean made or chinese made regulators and you will be good. The reviews of the junk regulators may not ever happen. I have to get my hands on some and they are not being received well in America therefore not being sold much anymore. Mainstream Global brands adhere to higher standards. Like your Aqualung for example. Safety is important to them. Thanks for watching, caring and more to come soon. Freddy

[@W122ard1]

@@LeviathanScuba Thanks, but anyway review of junk regul's will be cool to see, especially if disassemble it, because from outside all of them looks same )

[@OttoMatieque]

what to buy first? A boat!

[@LeviathanScuba]

I'll come dive with you on yours. Thanks for watching, more to come soon. Freddy

[@jumpship88]

At the 4 minute mark I wish you would have named the regulator, especially if it could kill someone.... Kind of seems like an important thing to know so you could avoid. Now Im paranoid and dont know what to avoid lmao

[@LeviathanScuba]

Brother, just don't buy the cheapest one. I am also trying not to get sued. I have had a couple companies come after me recently. I don't care if I can prove through technology my statements. But sometimes my comments come off as slander. Stick to a main manufacturer and you will be good. I am happy to recommend a reg to you for your type of diving. Thanks for watching. More to come soon. Freddy

[@ElAmazingGaston]

these video repetes after itself.

[@nerfherder33]

Great videos man! Thanx for the wonderful info. 👍

[@LeviathanScuba]

Glad you like them! More to come soon. Freddy