Coraline_Reef
Registered
I am considering getting certified, but I'm nervous. What if I'm underwater and my mask fills up with water... is that scary?
A lilNervous
- Thread starter Coraline_Reef
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Drew1
Registered
what agency are u concidering getting ur cert with? im certified through padi and one of the first things they teach you is to clear your mask if water gets in it.
skybird
Guest
coraline
Nervous is normal. Your mask might fill with water ........you will learn in your lessons how to get the water out. Really not a big deal. Many of us have been nervous and down right scared at times while we were learning. All I can suggest is go for it. Give it a try. Do you have a problem with putting your face underwater? Do that in a bathtub a bit. Even try it with a mask then flood the mask. You may be one of the few who hate diving, but I doubt it. You will never know till you try.
SkyBird
Nervous is normal. Your mask might fill with water ........you will learn in your lessons how to get the water out. Really not a big deal. Many of us have been nervous and down right scared at times while we were learning. All I can suggest is go for it. Give it a try. Do you have a problem with putting your face underwater? Do that in a bathtub a bit. Even try it with a mask then flood the mask. You may be one of the few who hate diving, but I doubt it. You will never know till you try.
SkyBird
OP
Coraline_Reef
Registered
I am not positive who I'll be certified through. I live near Houston, TX. There are a lot of places here. I guess I'm just afraid I'll panic & the top of the water will be far to get to... I can't hold my breath that long. I'm sure they'll help me learn how to deal with it in training.
Vtdiver2
Contributor
It's all scary til you learn the procedures to deal with situations like this. Once you learn them, practice, practice, practice until it becomes second nature. It is a little nerveracking at first, but once you get used to it, I'm sure you'll do fine. I've been diving many years, but still practice things like that. In fact, I've incorporated mask clearing into a game. My neices and nephew will throw a quarter into the pool when I'm not looking. Then they'll throw my mask into the pool. I dive in, retreive the mask, clear it underwater, and then use it to find the quarter before coming up. They think I'm the coolestCoraline_Reef:
If you have access to a pool, take your mask and spend some time working on your skills. It'll help with your anxieties and make you more comfortable.
Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.
C-Dawg
OP
Coraline_Reef
Registered
That sounds like a great idea to help me get comfortable with that type of situation, thanks!
PaulSmithTek
Contributor
Just remember the first thing not to do if something happens is Panic. Take a second and think and relax. If you panic you have a higher risk in having something else happen that is worse. It is like a domino effect. If you take your time and think through everything you will be alright. This board is the best place to start and also get information and support. Please let any of us know if you need help with anything. Also one other thing is find a instructor that is will to work with you. Your first diving expericance all depends on your instructor. Good luck and keep us all up to date.
scubamickey
I'm a GIRL!
Mask clearing is easy as long as you know how not breathe through your nose underwater. To clear the mask you will have to breathe out of your nose-but not in. Otherwise you swallow water and that can make a person panic.
But I'm sure that if you are considering diving that you must be a confident swimmer and have probably at least snorkeled. You'll use some of the same techniques while diving. Good Luck!
But I'm sure that if you are considering diving that you must be a confident swimmer and have probably at least snorkeled. You'll use some of the same techniques while diving. Good Luck!
I just finished my open water class today...and I will fully admit that I was scared on my first pool session. I was scared in my second pool session. But then I started to get more comfortable under the water. Then I was really scared to go into the ocean for the first time, thinking that it was going to be so deep, and dark. And what if i lost my mask? That is the skill that I have most trouble with...flooding my mask and removing it under water. And I had to do it at about 20ft today. And I started to panic a bit. But then, I told myself to calm down, that i could still breathe, and it's amazing what talking to yourself can do...I went from slightly panicky state totally calm state...with my mask off. I put it back on and cleared it, no problems.
The point of this story is to tell you that, yes, it IS ok to be scared...and MANY of us are scared. But you learn the skills, and the more you do them, the more comfortable you get with them, and they are not scary anymore.
If you like anything about water, if you like marine life...you'll love diving.
Let us know if you do end up taking a class, and let us know how it goes!
The point of this story is to tell you that, yes, it IS ok to be scared...and MANY of us are scared. But you learn the skills, and the more you do them, the more comfortable you get with them, and they are not scary anymore.
If you like anything about water, if you like marine life...you'll love diving.
Let us know if you do end up taking a class, and let us know how it goes!
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