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Post by megop on Aug 5, 2014 1:53:48 GMT
Needing some counsel here with those more skilled and experienced within Scuba. I didn't have the best experience during phase 1 of open water certification. Too much weight applied, BCD didn't fit (way too large) and really bad partner during "out of air" exercise sent me into panic mode and I broke for surface after miscommunication and too much delay. Instructor caught me, held me down to rescue from his octo, but I would have nothing of it by then. Dropped weight belt and needless to say, I won that struggle. (That is not a good thing by the way, thank goodness only 10 feet deep.) Just a bit of background: I'm a fish in water, lifeguarded 7 years, have my WSI, competed with and coached swim teams. I do not fear, but I have tremendous respect for water safety. So..... I have to go to phase 2 to complete which means lake diving and 30 feet. I've been back to pool to work on my own, but not being certified, I cannot have access to weights or a BCD. I've worked on secondary breathing (mask flood still not mastered without taking it up the nose.) Divemasters are telling me "I did fine," "It was partner error," "You really don't need another first phase class" etc. So, I have three more weeks to work on mask flood and getting secondary air intake good with snorkel. What other "tips" helped you getting over the skills you struggled with? I'm not going to phase 2 unless I feel totally comfortable, as it is upon me to make my dive, my dive, but really want to accomplish it. Thoughts? What worked for you? My main issue is taking it up the nose without mask. |
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Dalai Mama
Drama Llama
La Pea Boheme
Posts: 6,985
Jun 26, 2014 0:31:31 GMT
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Post by Dalai Mama on Aug 5, 2014 2:11:54 GMT
I'm confused by one thing you said - not being certified typically means you can't get fills, not that you can't get a BCD or weights. Although the BCD is kind of useless without tanks.
DH had problems with his mask removal and clearing and getting water in his nose. You need to make sure that you start with your head tilted downward. Once your mask is back on and you start exhaling through your nose you shouldn't have a problem with tipping your head back. Before you go for your second open water session, take the time to ensure your gear fits properly. I did my OW with a wetsuit that was too tight across my chest and led to a panic attack at 30 ft - not good. I got myself through it by just telling myself that I was okay because I was still breathing.
DH and both went on to get our Advanced OW and Rescue Diver (one of the most physically demanding thing I've ever done). Both of our kids 12 & 14 are getting their certifications next week. Let me know if you have any other questions.
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Post by underwatermama on Aug 5, 2014 2:23:16 GMT
Can you get some private 1:1 time with an instructor before you move on to the next phase? I was a big weenie about the whole thing but really wanted to be certified. DH and I ended up paying for a private class with just the two of us and the instructor. Worth the cost for me. FWIW, my problems were all on top of the water and feeling like I was going to sink even though the weight was correct. Getting a bc with the wings on the back is what helped me.
I guess my best advice is to stay calm, even though that is really hard, especially after a non-stellar experience.
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Post by megop on Aug 5, 2014 3:38:54 GMT
Thanks for advice!
Yes, BCD etc. is useless without fill. I should have been more clear.
I tried to arrange 1:1 time, even offered to pay for private, but pool access is an issue in my area.
I have the mechanics of flooded mask, the issue for me is stopping nose breathing during sudden flood. I've practiced with open face and just snorkel and submerge/unsubmerge, but it is the sudden influx I'm struggling with. Especially due to not being able to be provided weights to practice by myself in pool even in shallow water, as dive shop unwilling to provide without dive master present if they do. I understand the why, just frustrating at the mentality of "your safety is up to you and your dive is your dive" yet, I feel resistance in making it my own.
At the end of the day, it isn't up to them to make sure I'm comfortable with second phase, it is up to me, but it sure isn't helping to establish trust. I'm going back in tomorrow to talk to owner.
I want to make sure he understands, that A. if I don't feel at least relatively safe, I'm not diving, B. This isn't a trust issue for their dive masters, C. I'm not willing to put others in the class at risk by being perhaps high maintenance and taking their attention away from others as that wouldn't be right.
I think part of the issue is the midwest lake diving, vs. the very clear pristine waters of say Cozumel. I already have to have corrective lenses applied to my mask, but couple that with perhaps less than 10 feet vision, and I'm apprehensive. Just trying to prepare as best I can, feel as safe as I can, and not put others at risk in the class.
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Post by megop on Aug 5, 2014 3:48:13 GMT
I'm wondering if snorkel skin diving, with googles and not mask, would be my best course of practice at this point. I can clear the mask no problem, IF I can get past the initial influx without a snout full. Practice tips there most helpful!
Thanks!
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spoon
Shy Member
Posts: 12 
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Post by spoon on Aug 5, 2014 6:07:20 GMT
Take this for what it's worth as I am not SCUBA certified, but my daughter is training for same. When she had trouble with her mask flood exercise, I told her to take the deepest breath in through her nose before removing the mask....that way she couldn't take any more air in through her nose when the mask came off. Try it now...it's pretty hard to take more air in. Then she would also have plenty of air when replacing the mask and blowing the water out of the mask.....make sense? It worked for her, so I hope it is somewhat helpful for you!
Fran
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theshyone
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,423
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Post by theshyone on Aug 5, 2014 8:13:06 GMT
I agree with you that if you are not comfortable in pool don't do open water.
Buy your own weight belt and practice. Losing a mask is never under great circumstances, never something you can prepare for, it's practice practice practice.
Concentrate on why you freak with water in your nose. Realize that it doesn't matter.
Good luck.
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Dalai Mama
Drama Llama
La Pea Boheme
Posts: 6,985
Jun 26, 2014 0:31:31 GMT
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Post by Dalai Mama on Aug 5, 2014 12:28:18 GMT
Take this for what it's worth as I am not SCUBA certified, but my daughter is training for same. When she had trouble with her mask flood exercise, I told her to take the deepest breath in through her nose before removing the mask....that way she couldn't take any more air in through her nose when the mask came off. Try it now...it's pretty hard to take more air in. Then she would also have plenty of air when replacing the mask and blowing the water out of the mask.....make sense? It worked for her, so I hope it is somewhat helpful for you! Fran The very first rule of SCUBA is never hold your breath. When you fill your lungs and hold your breath, the first thing that happens is you start to ascend. And, with your mask off, you probably won't even notice you are going up until it's too late. As you ascend, the pressure decreases, the air in your lungs expands and you suffer pulmonary barotrauma which is just a fancy way of saying your lungs pop like balloons.
Chances are very good, in megop's course, they've talked about this ad nauseum. It's why you equalize, why you keep your regulator in your mouth on a solo out of air ascent and why they teach you to say 'ahhhh' during an emergency ascent.
What it comes down to is that water up your nose is uncomfortable and annoying as crap, but it won't kill you. Holding your breath will.
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Post by Barbie on Aug 5, 2014 12:44:28 GMT
I had a terrible time with the mask flood exercise! I didn't think I would ever get it. And we didn't do it in a pool--we did it pin a 30 ft rock quarry. Nasty, murky water. And I had two issues--the water flood up the nose, and I wasn't about to open my eyes in that murky, nasty water. The thing that helped for me was that my dive master held onto my shoulder while I cleared the mask flood. That way I didn't get disoriented from basically being blind. And yes, start with your head down, and start clearing the water as you tilt your head back. It took a LOT of concentration for me not to panic at that water flooding my face. It was psychological for me--once that mask was removed, it was my natural instinct to try to breathe through my nose. I had to really concentrate on only breathing in through that respirator.
I will also add that ill-fitting equipment makes a huge difference. You become so conscious of what isn't fitting properly that you can't concentrate on your breathing. I had a couple of classes where I ended up with stuff that didn't fit well and it was miserable.
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