Second pool session notes

[Grish]

First things first: I did the garbage bag thing, much to the confusion of everyone around me except for Kravi (a fellow poster here). It worked like a charm!! My wetsuit was on in seconds. I tried to have my dive buddy use it but she had less success lol. I struggled all class with a slightly malfunctioning BCD that was constantly leaking air (ick), but I didn't report the problem till the end of class because it was only a mild annoyance. We did the breathing without a mask for a minute skill and I kept blowing water up my nose. Can I breath out of my nose for that or is that a no no/bad habit to develop? We also went into the deeper pool and while I had no problems equalizing, my ears are very mildly sore. I was a little congested, could this be why?

 

[Grish]

Er, that would be "SEcond pool session notes"

 

[Scubakevdm]

First things first: I did the garbage bag thing, much to the confusion of everyone around me except for Kravi (a fellow poster here). It worked like a charm!! My wetsuit was on in seconds. I tried to have my dive buddy use it but she had less success lol. I struggled all class with a slightly malfunctioning BCD that was constantly leaking air (ick), but I didn't report the problem till the end of class because it was only a mild annoyance. We did the breathing without a mask for a minute skill and I kept blowing water up my nose. Can I breath out of my nose for that or is that a no no/bad habit to develop? We also went into the deeper pool and while I had no problems equalizing, my ears are very mildly sore. I was a little congested, could this be why?

Hey Gretchen!
Good job. Yeah if you're a bit congested, it may make it harder to equalize. It may not be a good idea to dive, even in a swimming pool if you're having trouble with your ears.
A trick for the no mask breath is to tilt your head forward a bit. That will keep water from rolling into your nose. This will not, of course prevent you from inhaling water through your nose. To solve that problem you need to practice separating your mouth breathing and nose breathing and don't inhale through your nose! I think that it's okay if you exhale through it if it helps you. It also automatically equalizes your mask if you do. (assuming that your mask is on your face)

 

[divingguru]

Hello,

While mask clearing it is always best to blow air out through the nose. It is very strange at first, but try it on the surface a few times until you get the motion right. Regarding your ears, it is very common to have a problem on your first few dives. Your ears are muscle's, like any other muscle in your body, so when you start using it, it can feel sore, just like heading to the gym for the first time in a while. Take it really easy, and let your instructor know if you are continuing to have problems.

Hope this has been useful. Good Luck

 

[Scubakevdm]

Your ears are muscle's,

I did not know that.

 

[Prostar]

Well, it is good to see you are going straight for the Deep End certification.

 

[Grish]

Well, it is good to see you are going straight for the Deep End certification.

Eh?

The deeper pool was 10-14 whopping feet, lol. We went over there to practice the fin pivot skill. My open water dives are at the end of the month.

Divingguru, I had no problems clearing my mask, it was blowing water up my nose when we were breathing without the mask on our faces.

Good to know about the ears. I wasn't uncomfortable under water and equalized frequently, but it was probably just because it was a new sensation for me.

 

[Ber Rabbit]

I gently exhale a little bit through my nose when diving without a mask to help keep my exhaust bubbles from forcing water into it.

Quick tip: If your mask is partially full of water and you tilt your head too far back the water runs up your nose, that can be a bit of a surprise when discovered accidentally.

Odd thing I've learned: Party trick--you can actually drink the contents of your mask using your nose.
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[mobster75]

First things first: I did the garbage bag thing, much to the confusion of everyone around me except for Kravi (a fellow poster here). It worked like a charm!! My wetsuit was on in seconds. I tried to have my dive buddy use it but she had less success lol. I struggled all class with a slightly malfunctioning BCD that was constantly leaking air (ick), but I didn't report the problem till the end of class because it was only a mild annoyance. We did the breathing without a mask for a minute skill and I kept blowing water up my nose. Can I breath out of my nose for that or is that a no no/bad habit to develop? We also went into the deeper pool and while I had no problems equali zing, my ears are very mildly sore. I was a little congested, could this be why?

The mask-off skill doesn't care whether you breathe out of your nose or not. When I was doing basic OW, I found it was easier to breathe in w/ the reg and out through my nose to keep bubbles from agitating my nose. It took a little work to be able to direct my exhalations through my nose instead of my mouth. This may work for you as well.

If your BCD is leaking, its important to let the instructor know ASAP! While in a pool this may seem trivial, in open water, a leaking BCD may prevent you from being able to surface and take breaths as needed. (I learned this only recently when my BCD was leaking)

Good luck!

 

[scubapatton]

You do want to be careful about always breathing out your nose though - You have dead air space in your nasal cavity and the exhaled air contains carbon dioxide. It is totally acceptable to breathe out your nose while you are doing the no-mask skills, but I would caution you and others about always exhaling out your nose. Occasionally is good because it does put air in your mask to avoid the squeeze, but certainly not as the default exhalation technique.

I know several people that use to think No big deal, I will continue to breathe out the nose. As they got away from this, they had fewer run-ins with headaches (since the carbon dioxide does not continue to linger in the dead air spaces) and also by not always breathing out the nose, the mask did not keep humming back and forth on the seal to their face.

As for the BCD, you might want to note it to the instructor so he can have that BCD pulled and inspected by the shop. Enough people keep saying, Not my problem, eventually it will become someone's significant problem. To quickly swap BCDs for you at the pool MAY take 10 minutes tops...

It is nice to see new students show their zeal for the sport. Please keep us all posted. I love reading new experiences as it gives me a base of Q&A material for my students - which helps my teaching style, and the student's desire to learn.