[fcallagy]

Hi Newbie,
First up join a club or contact divers in your area for info that may be more relevant to your area. Semi Dry suits are fine for scuab depends on what temp the water is at in your area. I dive in Ireland and use a 7mm semi dry from oceanic or a 5mm crushed neoprene drysuit from Posideon. I cant see a dry suit for snorkelling working unless you have no intention of diving under the surface. These use a suirt of air to keep you warm but add to your boyancy and stop you diving down or if you relaese the air can give you a sore squeeze if you dive down. Temps over here are usually any thing from 8-14 C. i just got a 5mm wetsuit for freediving/snorkelling as its toasty warm and a lot more flexible, but its specifically for this and therefore warmer than say a 5mm surfing suit.
Regs are so many on the market and they all work some just breathe easier than others but if being used in cold water try to get an enviromenatly sealed one as will be better in cold water. Also depends on the depth you will be diving to etc and conditions.
B/Cs using a buddy commando and find it a great one and apeks have some great back up service but again others may suffice at present. Commando is not really top of the range I think anymore but a great workhorse and used by thousands in Uk and Ireland. Features are all much the same check location of dump valves etc and i prefer not to have dump via pulling on corragated hose from inflator but some swear by it. A good fit is important as with anything.
Fins are a mine field try out if you can before you buy kicking without fins in a pool with a float board is a good exercise for legs though and may help. Split fins are very popular as give easy propulsion without too much effort but if you are in a current I don,t think they will move you through it too easy. i ahve used them a few times to try out but didn,t like them.
if you join a club they will help you out and may have second hand gear etc for others the shop here on deeperblue has very good prices and delivery service.
long post but hope i answered some questions