First Open Water Class

[Bogtrotter]

Welcome ! I lived in nearby Hamilton for awhile- I've heard good things about Dan's.

 

[Slym]

Yea they are really awesome! I'll be doing my checkout dives with them in Cozumel too as they have a trip happening a week after my class/pool stuff is done too. Having the class on Wednesday makes hump day decent, at least for a little bit.

 

[Bogtrotter]

Wow- ok now I'm just jealous. I did my checkouts in a dreary quarry in december. Have fun !

 

[JBFG]

1st steps are always the best. It becomes an addiction after that. A great addiction!!

 

[Neilwood]

Welcome to the addiction of diving - it is a hard drug and you could lose a fortune to it.

Saying that I don't want to lose this addiction!

As the guys above have said: go slow , enjoy the views, keep breathing and keep learning.

 

[Slym]

Just had my second class now, and it was awesome!!!!!!!!!! Breathing underwater is super cool.

After the class stuff wrapped up we went and assembled our bcd, regs, and tank. The instructor went over all what we would be doing, and then we hopped in the water and put our stuff on in the shallow end. We got instruction again underwater and then did all the stuff ourselves with the instructor or buddy.

We went over stuff like purging, sharing air, clearing mask, finding a dropped reg, and a swim around the pool to finish things off. What really blew me away though was just the breathing! Now and then I forgot I had a reg and had a second of panic if I was concentrating on something, then I just breathed and it was all fine lol. I also didn't realize how much breathing effects the buoyancy. Can't wait for next week.

 

[Neilwood]

Just had my second class now, and it was awesome!!!!!!!!!! Breathing underwater is super cool.

After the class stuff wrapped up we went and assembled our bcd, regs, and tank. The instructor went over all what we would be doing, and then we hopped in the water and put our stuff on in the shallow end. We got instruction again underwater and then did all the stuff ourselves with the instructor or buddy.

We went over stuff like purging, sharing air, clearing mask, finding a dropped reg, and a swim around the pool to finish things off. What really blew me away though was just the breathing! Now and then I forgot I had a reg and had a second of panic if I was concentrating on something, then I just breathed and it was all fine lol. I also didn't realize how much breathing effects the buoyancy. Can't wait for next week.

That was one of the things that surprised me as well and, given a bit of practise (of which I need a good bit more), can make a huge difference to how you dive. A bit of thought about how and when you breathe can make a huge difference about how well you maintain your position in the water.