Just found this thread and I agree with Madman about DAN. I go on at least one if not two dive trips a year and in my mind DAN is essential equipment. We don't plan for accidents and don't expect they will happen to us however diving has inherent dangers. $60 or whatever it costs a year is a small price to pay should you ever "get bent" (DCS) and need a few sessions in a hyperberic chamber. The DAN insurance will also cover non diving related accidents too. To me it adds some piece of mind that I or the local doctors can talk to someone versed in the specific dive related medical issues where the local doctors wherever I am may not be as knowledgeable. The Alert Diver magazine that comes as part of your membership is also excellent.
I also agree with most of Madman's suggested purchases. Our first items we bought (or had since we snorkeled before diving) were a mask, fins, snorkel. Our next purchase was a dive computer and then we've moved on from there and added some other components like dive skins and accessories. We're happy to rent BCs and regs where we go as it helps decrease the amount of stuff to carry. Madman's point about your own regs can be true. I think I've seen just as many personal regs have issues as I have rental regs but that could depend on how diligent you are on getting yours serviced. It comes down to what makes you comfortable.
I would differ on the snorkel comment, I always dive with mine attached to my mask. It's just extra piece of mind in case there is an issue with air or for long swims on shore dives. I remember reading a thread on scubaboard about someone who was coming in after a shore dive and ended up getting caught in a riptide as the weather had deteriorated. He ended up burning through his air trying to get back to shore and just barely made it before his tank was dry. As I read this I thought "if he only had a snorkel".
We also did our classroom and pool sessions with Aqua Sport (there is nothing wrong with the other dive outfits in town that I know of). We then did our open water dives in Costa Rica. That ended up being similar to Minnewanka for vis but warmer water. I would wholeheartedly recommend doing your classroom and pool work locally instead of which on vacation for a number of reasons: 1) who wants to study while on vacation? 2) the sessions are spread out over time which gives the information a chance to sink in 3) the instruction you get locally will likely be better/more complete. We witnessed this first hand in Costa Rica where a diver who was doing the entire course down there was on the open water dives with us but had not read the book, had not written the exam, had limited pool sessions, and on one dive ended up aborting because he freaked out in the silty conditions.
Lastly, have fun. Diving is a fantastic activity and a great way to explore the world.
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