Looking forward to a dive where I don't learn something major...

[TSandM]

DukeAMO, you sound as though you feel a bit overfaced at the moment. Diving DOES have a huge learning curve at the beginning, and I think it's both common and natural for new divers to be somewhat apprehensive about their dives. What's more, the common problems of new divers, with issues with weighting and stability in the water, can make dives less than the Zen relaxation you're probably hoping to achieve. But it DOES come -- it comes faster if you work at it, and get some good help.

But I do think, if you have chosen your Caribbean destination well, you will find that just because you are in salt water, or diving off a boat, it doesn't make the diving stressful. I remember floating down into Molokini crater for the first time -- the freedom of a thin wetsuit, minimal weight, and the ability to SEE was just SO wonderful. I hope you have memories like that of your trip.

 

[DukeAMO]

I think my reaction comes from the fact that I was expecting our two pool dives to be very low-key and "easy", but in both of them I had to deal with ear equalization issues and free-flowing regulators (one at depth, a true WTF-caused-that moment). Plus, getting used to new equipment is a little trickier than I thought. Silly little things like the clips not working like they're supposed to, so things kept un-clipping and dangling, and the tank straps not being pre-adjusted like they are for the rental gear. I also make myself do my 2-3 least favorite skills at the end of every dive, so the skills I don't like will become easier.

So far as AOW goes, I'm pretty set on doing that, and the May class is the only one that fits into our schedule before July. I want to do the deep dive, because most of the two tank dives we've seen in the Caribbean do the first dive in the 60-80ft range. I know I won't want to float 20ft above the reef and everyone else, and at the same time I know I would do that because they tell you to stay above 60 ft with just a new OW certification. Or I would let DH coax me down deeper and get mad and myself and him. The deep dive (to 80ft) is probably the one thing that does make me nervous, and I'm more nervous about the fact that it's very cold down there than anything. The other dives (PPB, nav, wreck, night) just sound like fun to me. If I'm already out there for the weekend, why not do them? But yes, it is a lot to cram into 3 months.

We are doing one more dive day this weekend with no goal other than to swim around and check out the quarry. I *hope* it's easy.

 

[BDSC]

We are doing one more dive day this weekend with no goal other than to swim around and check out the quarry. I *hope* it's easy.

If you're talking about "Fantasy Lake" then the diving is easy but this time of year it's still going to be a little chilly. The vis there can be hit or miss but it's usually decent (for the quarry) early in the year. It's at least better than the pool.

I would say it was probably around dive number 20 to 25 when I stopped having to "think" about what I was doing and just geared up and enjoyed myself. That was a trip to Grand Cayman. I suspect after your Caribbean trip you'll be a heck of a lot more comfortable with your diving and will be able to relax and enjoy the scenery. I hope so anyway.

 

[Tigerman]

My first relaxing dive was the first pool dive, but Ive been playing in water since before I could walk.
I keep learning on my dives, but I still relax while doing it.
Infact one of my best days out diving was a course, although it being the nitrox course where all the learning is between the dives (and actually dont even REQUIRE any dives).

I was a bit fortunate with my instructor for that one though, given the fact that despite being in Egypt with an italian guide he spoke norwegian as a result of studying marine biology here. Me, a marine biolog and the ability to pick and choose dive sites thats not much dived in the red sea didnt exactly make learning hurt

 

[Scuba_Noob]

AOW, for me, was quite relaxing. Sure, you learn skills, but most (if not all of them) are skills you were introduced to in the OW class (e.g., PPB and navigation). The other adventure dives I did were quite relaxed fun dives as well (deep, wreck, night, etc.).

I'm not sure how stressful the transition to salt water will be for you. I've just always dove salt water. It probably just tastes different , has very slight different buoyancy characteristics, and may have larger surf/waves/currents because it's in the ocean.

The boat dives should be fun. They are so much easier than shore dives. Your first drift dive might be the most stressful out of all of them, but it'll still be really fun. Just follow/buddy with someone you trust who is experienced with drift dive, and do as they do.

 

[t-mac]

I think what you are talking about is not having generalized anxiety before and during a dive -- generally in my experience caused mostly by not yet having tuned buoyancy skills and also by getting used to new equipment. This makes you nervous before the dive and then keeps you nervous during the dive. Am I going to sink to the bottom or pop when I come back up? Why can't I go down, clear my ears, get all the air out of my BC, etc.? Like you, I got my own equipment early on, which I think is a good thing because with rental gear it's a new adventure nearly every time (especially BCs). Also, like you, I did my training dives in a quarry -- 7 on 7 farmer john with lots of lead. This is not really the best for getting buoyancy figured out. I agree with TSandM in that you will probably get more in your comfort zone in the warm Caribbean and I think that is mostly because you will have on less neoprene and it will be much easier to get properly weighted. Hopefully you will also be reasonably familiar with your gear by then. For me, I think it was probably around dozen dives where I really started to relax and be able to enjoy things without some constant level of anxiety. This also resulted in a dramatic reduction in SAC rate, meaning longer dives!

 

[RonFrank]

Ear issues are a PITA. Clear early and often and don't force it. Take it slow and go up a few feet if necessary. It gets easier as I have not had ear issues for years.

I did dives 12-25 in FL at LBTS, and Key Largo, and Boat Diving West Palm and Jupiter. The shallow dives in Largo and LBTS were fun, relaxing, and awesome for my learning and ego. The deeper dives were a bit more stressful, but still fun.

Buoyancy takes time, but the trim came fairly quickly. Going slow is key but not necessarily as easy as it seems. Diving is something that takes time and practice. Enjoy the ride, and remember deeper is usually just deeper. It's not usually better, just more dangerous. The deeper you dive the more on your game you need to be. You can have a lot of fun at 25' where the surface is seconds away and mistakes are not deadly. Relax, enjoy, have fun, and carry an SMB when on the Ocean or large body of water.

 

[DukeAMO]

Thanks for the helpful comments! I was anxious when first learning to drive too. It was a while before I actually felt comfortable driving a car. I guess you could call me cautious to a fault.

When you're just starting out, little things can shake your confidence. Just when you think you're getting the hang of it... here's another curveball!

Good medicine, though, I guess. I'd rather figure out things like why my reg free flows every time I take it out now rather than later.

Usually I'm anxious for the first minute or two of a dive, then through the part where we're doing something new. At least in the classes I've taken, that's usually all in the first 10-15 minutes. Then when there's time just to relax and look around I'm fine.

---------- Post added April 30th, 2012 at 05:11 PM ----------

PPB sounds like fun, too, because half of what you're learning is how to relax and float there. ;-)

 

[TMHeimer]

Classes are always a little stressfull because you're concerned about how the instructor is judging your performance. On a "pleasure" dive I seek places that don't make me work too hard (easy entry, no big currents, etc.). Sometimes that is not possible.

 

[Hank49]

A good "dive thought" is "relax your eyelids". Think that as you're sitting there, all geared up and ready to dive....after you've done a thorough gear and buddy check.