Anyone else really nervous in the beginning?

[Edward3c]

How do you make your plan if you don't know what is under there? Is your plan just for time/depth?

I’ve done hundreds of unknown dive sites. It’s how to expand the known ones.

Yes, plan maximum depth, time and gas (air) requirements, research for information on entry and exit, tides and current, weather, what your expecting to see, location of public phones (if no mobile sign), availability of O2 and an AED,

However, when on a holiday trip I listen to the dive site brief especially the depth and time limits, I can then calculate my gas (air) requirements (knowing the start cylinder pressure and tank size), if the brief includes swim throughs I inform the guide I’ll not be doing them and will swim over the reef.

Last time in the Philippines I refused to go in because the sea was too rough to safely get back onto the boat, all the other customers followed suit. A few approached me afterwards saying they didn’t know they could say no if the guide wanted to go. The captain found a new site.

 

[nldunn]

I’ve done hundreds of unknown dive sites. It’s how to expand the known ones.

Yes, plan maximum depth, time and gas (air) requirements, research for information on entry and exit, tides and current, weather, what your expecting to see, location of public phones (if no mobile sign), availability of O2 and an AED,

However, when on a holiday trip I listen to the dive site brief especially the depth and time limits, I can then calculate my gas (air) requirements (knowing the start cylinder pressure and tank size), if the brief includes swim throughs I inform the guide I’ll not be doing them and will swim over the reef.

Last time in the Philippines I refused to go in because the sea was too rough to safely get back onto the boat, all the other customers followed suit. A few approached me afterwards saying they didn’t know they could say no if the guide wanted to go. The captain found a new site.

Thanks for sharing that story and your knowledge. I appreciate it!!

 

[NothingClever]

@nldunn

You may consider thinking of unknown dive sites akin to taking on a new trail hike. Intuitively, you accomplish planning for a new trail hike because looking over a map, walking, breathing and glancing ahead to evaluate the trail are all things that happen without requiring a lot of thought.

Similarly, I’d recommend focusing on developing proficiency in the five fundamentals of diving so that you’re able to focus your mental energies on modest but fulfilling exploratory diving.

Five fundamentals:

- Buoyancy control
- Trim
- Propulsion / finning
- Breathing
- Awareness (self, others, current, temp, sealife, topside conditions, crew, etc)

By focusing on these, I think a lot of your nervousness will dissipate and the confidence to lead yourself on a dive will increase.

The above will enable you to handle a camera someday. Skipping to the camera right now will significantly retard development of good habits (you’ll be distracted) and make you later say, “Gee, I wish I would’ve focused on basic dive skills first.”

Have fun!

 

[johndiver999]

I would NEVER hold my husband's hand underwater!! That would make me concerned if I saw a couple do that! I do agree that women give up responsibility more easily than men, especially when we are unsure.
I took what you said seriously and want to learn. I was talking with my husband about what you said and I was hoping you responded because I am trying to figure out how you make a plan for a dive you haven't been to before. For example, we have done three dives that we had not been to before, all from the beach. How do you make your plan if you don't know what is under there? Is your plan just for time/depth?
Thank you and again, I am appreciative of your advice and help.

The complexity and detail of your plan has to be appropriate for the dive site.

If it is a simple beach dive and the sea conditions are calm and there is little or no current and there is no dangerous boat traffic and there is no restriction as to where you can exit the water, then time and depth and the pressure you want to hit before heading back should all be established. You make a simple conservative plan that everyone is comfortable with. Letting someone on shore know where and when you are diving is smart too.

If you are a new diver and/or ignorant of the dive site, it is always smart to ask the locals for what to look for and what to look out for.

Years ago, I went for a solo beach dive in the Pacific northwest. Cold and pretty dirty water near seattle Washington. Not sure where really. Rented a tank, swam out there a ways and in 10 minutes I was in some serious trouble. I was 20-30 feet deep or something, but I got picked up by a horrendous current! I swam and crawled like hell and fought my way back to shore which required a good bit of my air and ALL my strength. If I was not strong and experienced in significant current, I would have been swept away.

I had done lotsa dives in seemingly similar conditions off the beach in Maine (cold limited visibility), so I figured I didn't need to seem stupid and ask the local dive shop about the site and any "issues". When I returned the rental tank and indicated that I had quite an adventure, they were like.. "you CAN't dive there, except on a certain tidal window"

I think they literally didn't believe me that I had actually dove there at the time I said. They showed me a tide chart and said there could be like 7 kt currents... I never saw anything close to that, but I was nearly swept away and in cold water, in a wetsuit with limited potential exits, it could have been a serious problem.

So seeking local knowledge and/or going with experienced and knowledgeable people on a new site is recommended. I know nothing about where you were diving, so possibly many of the shore dives are much more benign. At the least, you can have mentors or guides involve you in the formation of the dive plan, which ensures that everyone is on the same page as to what the critical goals and limitations of the dive are.

 

[nldunn]

The complexity and detail of your plan has to be appropriate for the dive site.

If it is a simple beach dive and the sea conditions are calm and there is little or no current and there is no dangerous boat traffic and there is no restriction as to where you can exit the water, then time and depth and the pressure you want to hit before heading back should all be established. You make a simple conservative plan that everyone is comfortable with. Letting someone on shore know where and when you are diving is smart too.

If you are a new diver and/or ignorant of the dive site, it is always smart to ask the locals for what to look for and what to look out for.

Years ago, I went for a solo beach dive in the Pacific northwest. Cold and pretty dirty water near seattle Washington. Not sure where really. Rented a tank, swam out there a ways and in 10 minutes I was in some serious trouble. I was 20-30 feet deep or something, but I got picked up by a horrendous current! I swam and crawled like hell and fought my way back to shore which required a good bit of my air and ALL my strength. If I was not strong and experienced in significant current, I would have been swept away.

I had done lotsa dives in seemingly similar conditions off the beach in Maine (cold limited visibility), so I figured I didn't need to seem stupid and ask the local dive shop about the site and any "issues". When I returned the rental tank and indicated that I had quite an adventure, they were like.. "you CAN't dive there, except on a certain tidal window"

I think they literally didn't believe me that I had actually dove there at the time I said. They showed me a tide chart and said there could be like 7 kt currents... I never saw anything close to that, but I was nearly swept away and in cold water, in a wetsuit with limited potential exits, it could have been a serious problem.

So seeking local knowledge and/or going with experienced and knowledgeable people on a new site is recommended. I know nothing about where you were diving, so possibly many of the shore dives are much more benign. At the least, you can have mentors or guides involve you in the formation of the dive plan, which ensures that everyone is on the same page as to what the critical goals and limitations of the dive are.

"Years ago, I went for a solo beach dive in the Pacific northwest. Cold and pretty dirty water near seattle Washington. Not sure where really. Rented a tank, swam out there a ways and in 10 minutes I was in some serious trouble. I was 20-30 feet deep or something, but I got picked up by a horrendous current! I swam and crawled like hell and fought my way back to shore which required a good bit of my air and ALL my strength. If I was not strong and experienced in significant current, I would have been swept away."

I think that would have ended my diving, if not my life. What a scary experience, but a good lesson learned. I will remember that story in the future if/when I am not diving with a guide!
Thank you for you knowledge, expertise and generosity with both.

 

[mcohen1021]

listen to the dive site brief especially the depth and time limits,

^^this

If you ever do a live aboard, they do a really good job of drawing the site and you almost feel like you've been there even though you haven't

Some day boats do a decent job also.

If you've been to a destination many times (i have been to Cozumel ~25x), you get to know the reefs and won't need the briefing anymore (but it always helps)

 

[nldunn]

^^this

If you ever do a live aboard, they do a really good job of drawing the site and you almost feel like you've been there even though you haven't

Some day boats do a decent job also.

If you've been to a destination many times (i have been to Cozumel ~25x), you get to know the reefs and won't need the briefing anymore (but it always helps)

Thank you - I hadn't considered a liveaboard cause my husband gets seasick but maybe with another buddy!

 

[NothingClever]

To be candid, I wouldn’t consider a LOB right now. I’d put it on a long range calendar as a motivational objective but I think getting on a LOB right now would pose a risk of disappointment, frustration or catastrophic incident.

A LOB that is diving the conditions you desire/require is possible to find but will be a lot of work to do so.

Consider this - when your kids got their driver’s license, did you ramp them up incrementally over time to interstate driving through a major metropolitan area like New York, Houston or Seattle or jump them right into it? Didn’t you first help them make milk runs to the grocery store a routine success?

I’m going to excuse myself and move on to other conversations. I encourage you to focus on a skill every time you vacation dive.

Example conversation with your daughter:

“OK, objectives for this dive:

#1 - Surface alive and unbent
#2 - Let’s see if we can spot an octopus the dive shop told us about
#3 - I’m going to work on buoyancy control. I want to feel in control like when I’m in an elevator.”

Best of luck and have fun!

 

[curiousdiver88]

I also feel much more relaxed at a shallow depth! I find that you don't need to go deep to see a lot of cool stuff!

 

[BumbleV]

Happens to a lot of divers. I recommend you pick something on the bottom and focus on it. Remember to equalize, but just start looking at that rock and what kind of life is there. Anxiety will melt away. Also, maybe refresh on the technical aspects of diving. How it affects your body and mental functions. Understanding this and trusting your equipment may also relieve anxiety. Breathe, just like you are doing yoga.