Some things that I haven't learned yet

[TSandM]

Well, say you want to do a 30 fpm ascent from 75 feet to your 15 foot safety stop. 30 fpm is two seconds per foot, right? So you watch the gauge and you count, "One thousand one, one thousand two," and you should see the gauge click up one foot. Now, the gauge isn't that accurate, but neither is your count; if you get to 15 feet in less than two minutes by a little bit, you just stay there longer than your 3 feet (or you may catch things because you got to 45 feet too soon, so you stay there until the gauge clicks over the minute). None of this has to be perfectly precise. If you have a gauge with seconds, or a stopwatch, you can get really anal about it

 

[sambolino44]

I know what you're saying, I'm just saying I haven't been able to do it very often. When you get it right, yes, it's as you describe. But what makes it hard is that, to keep from getting way off your target (a certain level, or a certain ascent rate) you have to catch when you're off and compensate real early, before it gets out of control. For me, usually, by the time I'm able to tell that I'm off target, it's too late and I'm already zooming to the top.

It's getting easier with more experience, and I'm glad that I have a buddy who's into practicing skills. It really makes you wonder about those folks who only go diving a few times a year, though.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I know what you're saying, I'm just saying I haven't been able to do it very often. When you get it right, yes, it's as you describe. But what makes it hard is that, to keep from getting way off your target (a certain level, or a certain ascent rate) you have to catch when you're off and compensate real early, before it gets out of control. For me, usually, by the time I'm able to tell that I'm off target, it's too late and I'm already zooming to the top.

It's getting easier with more experience, and I'm glad that I have a buddy who's into practicing skills. It really makes you wonder about those folks who only go diving a few times a year, though.

Sam, it's one of those things that takes practice ... and one of the reasons I have my AOW students doing things in mid-water.

One great way to get used to doing it is to shoot a bag and pace yourself spooling in the upline. With an upline you will get a pretty good idea whether you're picking up speed, because either you'll have to speed up your reeling pace or the line will get slack. By maintaining a steady pace with the spool and keeping slight tension on the line, you'll be training your body what it feels like to come up at an even speed. For practice, shoot it in 30 fsw or less and practice stopping every five feet on the way up. Once you can do that comfortably, try the same thing without the bag (free-water ascending). You'd be surprised how quickly your body will develop a feel for it.

If you and Betty feel like practicing this with me sometime let me know ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Soakedlontra]

Thank you Lynne and Bob!

Right now my major concern is how to get rid of my back pain! I have been doing hydro massage in the local swimming pool and it feels great but once I am back on land my back 'protests' again! What a bummer!:depressed:

Tomorrow I am supposed to do my two dives for the dry suit class...I think I will be able to do it with Sam's help and donning/doffing? the rig in the water.

Take care of your back folks!​

 

[Soakedlontra]

 

[sambolino44]

Obviously I haven't yet learned how to keep my light out of my buddy's eyes while filming!

 

[Soakedlontra]

I have been practicing skills lately and guess what is the most difficult skill to do?

Taking off my rig on the surface!

 

[princessaprilia]

Betty, thank you for sharing your frustrations. I'm currently trying to soften the voice of the drill sargent that has been yelling inside my head for the last couple weeks.

Glad to see he visits other people's heads, too.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Betty, thank you for sharing your frustrations. I'm currently trying to soften the voice of the drill sargent that has been yelling inside my head for the last couple weeks.

Glad to see he visits other people's heads, too.

Sometimes you need to tell that drill sargent to just shut up for a while ... frustrations can become self-defeating. While I'm a big proponent of practicing skills, there's such a thing as overdoing it. Never lose sight of why you got into diving. Take some time to just relax and enjoy yourself before letting the drill sargent get your attention again.

Also pay as much attention to what you did right as to what you did wrong. Keep your motivations positive ...otherwise diving becomes a chore and you'll start looking for rationalizations why you don't need to practice.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Soakedlontra]

Betty, thank you for sharing your frustrations. I'm currently trying to soften the voice of the drill sargent that has been yelling inside my head for the last couple weeks.

Glad to see he visits other people's heads, too.

Glad to read that I am not the only one on this boat!

The benefits of practicing skills outcome the frustration, though! as long as, as GD Bob mentioned, you don't beat that horse to death!