my first time in water.

[Blackhawksq]

Ok so yesterday was my first time in the water, in full gear. It was pretty cool.. just had a few thoughts I figured you'd comment on ....

Mask clearing -- I read in Dive trainer that this was diffcult and the professor says it's the most difficult techinque in the class, yet it was simple... Remove mask, Replace mask, tilt head up, press mask, take breath in regulator, blow out your nose... How is that hard?

The only problem I had was pressing the mask to far and allowing more water in. Which was easy to figure out and over come. Maybe the breath training I do in Aikido helped, I doubt it... but if this is truely the most diffcult "skill" diving promises to be a breeze!

The problem I did have was regulator recovery... not the recovery itself... but the whole 'continue to exhale slowly'... come on is this really necessary?!?!... Ok Ok it is .... but but but... Anyway once the regulator is out of my mouthm my chest wants to hold on to the air as much as possible, I'm figuring it'll become second nature, alot like Kokyu has (Unless you aikido don't worry about it), through training

One other thing that added some difficulty was the crowdness... It might have been the pool... it might not... but as we swam through the water and I looked around I noticed I was surronded by people.. up, down, left, right.... people every where (there were only 10 people in the class)... It made me feel closterphobic for a while... not panicky.. just a slight tightness until I got used to it. Is that just the pool or are is it a normal thing to have people ALL around you?

 

[sherilynne]

Congratulations!

I'm really glad your first time went so well! It is very addicting. As to the mask clearing bit, I think most people are just uncomfortable taking the mask off because it lets the water in around your eyes and nose and people try to breathe in their nose or just simply remember they are underwater and panic. The mask can become a kind of security blanket for people. When we taught we used to make people swim around without it with a partner guiding them so they would get used to it. Realistically, if you lose your mask it is not going to be sitting in your lap. You'll either have to open your eyes and find it or trust your partner to hand it to you.

Anyway, great job and we look forward to getting in the water with you!

 

[ReefHound]

The mask clearing is something that is hard for SOME people and a non-issue for others. It probably has to do with your reaction to water on your face and ability to keep water out of your nose. It can be harder in cold water. Maybe your Aikido just teaches you to remain calmer.

It's very important to keep exhaling during regulator recovery. If you have a lung full of air, it can overexpand and cause injury if you ascend just a few feet. Think about when you might need to "recover" your regulator. Probably after having it suddenly pulled out of your mouth from being kicked or snagged, in which case you might be a little disoriented and not realize you are ascending or descending for a few seconds.

Crowdedness occurs often in murky water where you have to stay close to stay in sight. This is common in Texas waters. Are you claustrophobic about it or just worried about bumping into people and looking clumsy? As you master buoyancy control and develop alternative fin kicks and minimize wasteful motion you will become more comfortable in navigating in close quarters.

 

[katwoman]

Welcome to the world of Scuba!

Sounds like you are hooked! Just wait until you get out on coral reef and see all the coral and the fish. It's great!!!

 

[ReefHound]

The mask can become a kind of security blanket for people. When we taught we used to make people swim around without it with a partner guiding them so they would get used to it. Realistically, if you lose your mask it is not going to be sitting in your lap. You'll either have to open your eyes and find it or trust your partner to hand it to you.

Good point. While basic classes don't fully play out the scenarios, it would be a good idea to get out to the lakes and practice these kinds of scenarios in further detail. For example, you could have a plan with your buddy (always discuss this stuff before the dive) that near the end of your dive you will practice a completely lost mask scenario. You remove your mask and hand it to him as if you lost it completely, signal your situation to him, "call" the dive, then make a slow ascent. You'll need to be able to open your eyes, be able to see and give hand signals with your buddy, see your gauges or let your buddy control, remain calm, and ascend slowly.

 

[ZenDiva]

Well the mask clearing was the hardest thing for me...mostly becasue I was initially required to do it w/out an air source.....


I'm not very comfortable w/ a crowd of people.....I'm mentioned this in my training log....

Good luck w/ your training......just remember it's only the beginning......it's a lot of fun....and I'm sure you'll love it!


Can't wait to hear more of your experiences and thoughts!

*smile*

 

[Sushi Boy]

Diving is a completely different experience from anything most of us have ever been exposed to before, and while most people will have difficulty with something during open water class, each person will react to the skills differently. What's easy for one person might be a nightmare for someone else. As you noticed, mask clearing was easy for you, but regulator recovery was a little more challenging. That's one of the things that makes teaching scuba both interesting and challenging. You have to constantly be watching people, their eyes, and their reactions so you can be ready when someone reaches their limits. It's always very cool, though, when you see that light bulb turn on in their head and all of the sudden they go "hey, I can do this!"

Is that just the pool or are is it a normal thing to have people ALL around you?

That's mostly just the pool. Once you get out into open water, you probably won't experience that again until you get in a low viz situation like ReefHound describes above, or you take up photography and a dozen of your closest friends are all trying to get under a ledge on the reef to get the same picture of the swallow-tailed blue-bellied Galapagian seahorse.

Great questions, btw. Keep 'em comin'!

 

[ZenDiva]

That's mostly just the pool. Once you get out into open water, you probably won't experience that again until you get in a low viz situation like ReefHound describes above, or you take up photography and a dozen of your closest friends are all trying to get under a ledge on the reef to get the same picture of the swallow-tailed blue-bellied Galapagian seahorse.

Great questions, btw. Keep 'em comin'!

Or you're diving devil's den on a saturday.............! *smile*

 

[Blackhawksq]

Thanks for everyones reply... Pretty much what I expected to hear... everyone is differnt...

To answer one question.... It was closterphobia... I'm SLIGHTLY closterphobic (Don't even know if it's bad enough to be called a phobia ). In closed rooms, small spaces, I can typically keep it under control. It's when I'm being held down, or strapped in, or tied up (even the one time I did agree to it ) That I loose it. Oh and I loose it in traffic also... yeah it's the closterphobia that makes me scream and give people the one figure salute... Honest!

Anyway this was directly in the middle of the two scenarios. I'm guessing it's due purelly to the new enviroment.

Thanks again!
Robert.

 

[ReefHound]

The mild claustrophobic feeling should ease in clearer water and as you become more comfortable in your gear.

Also scuba equipment is bulky and can feel confining. Losing the heavy wetsuit in warmer waters should help. You might want to try a backplate/wings BC instead of a jacket BC that wraps around you and can squeeze you when inflated.