Newbie Nevada
New
This past week, I went diving in Mexico. I was trained a couple of years ago through PADI and all I've had is my open water check dives under my belt. I've never been in salt water before, just a freshwater lake.
I made sure to explain my complete inexperience to the dive shop owner and the divemasters that went out with us. Several times, I didn't want any misunderstanding.
We went out in the boat with 5 other divers, about 15 minutes off shore. Checked all my equipment to ensure it was all in working order. These boats required a back roll entry, never done that before, but I rolled pretty well.
But, once I hit the water, I panicked. Then to make matters worse, my weight belt started slipping and I managed to grab it about knee level. So, there I am- alone - in the middle of an ocean about 25 feet away from the boat, one hand grabbing a weight belt and all I can think of is "I want out of this water, now". I managed to make it back to the boat and tossed my weight belt to the crew member and got out of my BCD and handed that up as well.
I held on to the ladder for about 5 minutes and then climbed aboard, feeling embarrassed, but glad to be on the boat.
I don't know that the heck happened and why I panicked the way I did. I had attempted to go to a "refresh" class before I left, but none were available as the 2 shops in my area had dive trips already planned.
In retrospect, I should not have gone diving without doing the refresher first, or choose to go with the discover scuba group that morning.
But, I also felt I shouldn't have been alone in that water. Both dive-masters were with the group at the front of the boat, neither came my way when it was obvious that I was panicking. I think if someone had been there to reassure me, I would have calmed down. I think, I guess I'll never know.
To place a cherry on the top of this particular cake, I got stung by a sting ray when walking from the boat to shore. Nice little hole in my foot as a reminder of my trip. I'm planning on taking advanced open water to get more experience under my belt and will probably try to do it in Monterrey so it's not a lake.
Please tell me, I'm not the only one that has panicked when they hit ocean open water for the first time. What will help me with this.
Thanks
I made sure to explain my complete inexperience to the dive shop owner and the divemasters that went out with us. Several times, I didn't want any misunderstanding.
We went out in the boat with 5 other divers, about 15 minutes off shore. Checked all my equipment to ensure it was all in working order. These boats required a back roll entry, never done that before, but I rolled pretty well.
But, once I hit the water, I panicked. Then to make matters worse, my weight belt started slipping and I managed to grab it about knee level. So, there I am- alone - in the middle of an ocean about 25 feet away from the boat, one hand grabbing a weight belt and all I can think of is "I want out of this water, now". I managed to make it back to the boat and tossed my weight belt to the crew member and got out of my BCD and handed that up as well.
I held on to the ladder for about 5 minutes and then climbed aboard, feeling embarrassed, but glad to be on the boat.
I don't know that the heck happened and why I panicked the way I did. I had attempted to go to a "refresh" class before I left, but none were available as the 2 shops in my area had dive trips already planned.
In retrospect, I should not have gone diving without doing the refresher first, or choose to go with the discover scuba group that morning.
But, I also felt I shouldn't have been alone in that water. Both dive-masters were with the group at the front of the boat, neither came my way when it was obvious that I was panicking. I think if someone had been there to reassure me, I would have calmed down. I think, I guess I'll never know.
To place a cherry on the top of this particular cake, I got stung by a sting ray when walking from the boat to shore. Nice little hole in my foot as a reminder of my trip. I'm planning on taking advanced open water to get more experience under my belt and will probably try to do it in Monterrey so it's not a lake.
Please tell me, I'm not the only one that has panicked when they hit ocean open water for the first time. What will help me with this.
Thanks