checkout dives coming up soon

[silverfish]

I have had one day of classroom training and one day at the pool. I only have two more days scheduled to dive for my OW certification.( They are at a quarry) After reading the message boards it sounds like most of you have more training time in general.I am in a PADI course, but I find my instructor really only answers questions she is asked.She doesn't offer much info in the way of chat. It is a little difficult to know what to expect since I don't know specifically what questions to ask. I don't even know how many dives we will do during our time at the quarry.Anyone care to share what you would consider intelligent questions ,or tell me what is "normal" ?

 

[The Chairman]

Welcome to the board! There are a lot of good friendly people here to answer many of your questions.

ALL questions are good... some are just "gooder" than others. :tease:

Your angst is understandable. You are about to attempt the impossible. Somehow, you are actually gonna breathe underwater, and it will be a hoot.

BUT... if you are having misgivngs and questions... force yourself to talk to your instructor. You have to be comfortable in order to have a safe and fun dive. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Have fun, and get wet!!!

 

[Mario S Caner]

The best thing you could do is to study the material, and try to get exposed to more than one format of it. Meaning if you read the book, watch the video as well as do the interactive CD-Rom. Exposing yourself to the material in more than one way will help you retain more, and find where to ask appropriate questions to satisfy your needs. Most students get hung up on the basic physiology and the tables. Make sure you understand them well, and you'll breeze through the rest easily!

 

[The Chairman]

But I have to tell you that ol' Mario thinks that you can solve a lot of problems, by just "Exposing yourself in more than one way..." The man is obviously sick, and needs medical help... Where's a regulator when you need one? Hey TexasMike... I need your help with this one. Oppsss... I think Texans do that too! Oh well!

:tease:

BTW, anyone know a good place to hide???

 

[silverfish]

Thanks for your replies. I have watched the videos and am reviewing the book.Didn't know there was a cd.I did fine at the pool and I am very excited and anxious about the check out dives. How many are there? I notice there are already several variations from the book and video on how she is teaching class.(BTW my instr. is in Belize until the 18th so I can't ask her any ?? just now)The biggest problem I had was water getting into my mask and the regulator was somewhat uncomfortablly large for my mouth.
Could the leaking be due to my mouth piece? I ask because I have been practicing with different mask and snorkels, when I use a certain snorkel all masks have more water in them.The water is coming in at the bottom under my nose.

 

[silverfish]

Problem solving is an important skill.I shall give some thought as to how I might expose myself to new opportunites.(For learning that is)As to who need medical help...you are the Doc, right?

 

[The Chairman]

Hey Silverfish...

The leakage in your mask from different snorkles usually comes from it pulling your mask away from your face just a tad. Make sure it is not twisted, and that it is routed on the outside of your strap when you are using it. I Don't dive with one anymore, as it ALWAYS seems to make my mask leak. If you have to have one for your OW... try to stow it in your BC while underwater. It does make for a handy, if not short "tickle stick" though, if you forgot yours on the boat!

 

[syruss32]

Silverfish,

It is an unfortunate fact that almost all masks leak at some point. With a little practice you will be able to clear it easily. One thing that caused me problems is I HAD a mustache. Notice I used the word HAD.

If you have one, that can cause the seal to not set correctly on your face. This can be overcome by putting a little vaseline on your mustach and flattening it to your lip. I found this to be a pain in the drain, so a couple weekends ago I said asta to the mustache.

The snorkel is another problem, up until last weekend I dove with it on. A buddy wasn't wearing his and I asked him why. He told me it cause drag underwater and makes his mask leak a little more. So the next dive, I put mine on my BCD and he was right. It was nice not having it hanging around. Some divers don't even take theirs. In lakes and quarries that is probably okay, but in the ocean I would HIGHLY recommend having one. When waves are present and you are on the surface a snorkel is a great thing to have.

Anyway best of luck on your dives, and remember this is fun that will make all the difference. Once you pass and aren't stressed with thinking how hard this is, you will find you will relax more and the skills you learned will be MUCH easier to do than they were under pressure!

Syruss
http://www.coraladventures.net

 

[TexasMike]

Silverfish...

There are typically 4 checkout dives where you and your instructor run through the same skills that you did in the pool. Plus you take a tour of the quarry to both "stretch" your legs and to improve your swimming and buoyancy skills.

What Syruss said about snorkles (both causing leaking and usage) is accurate. Currently, I don't use my snorkle when diving in the local lakes and quarries. And it stays in the gear bag. But I do pack along in a BC pocket when doing ocean dives (also known as blue water). I'm planning on upgrading to one of the collapsible snorkles (like the Sherwood Avid) which will fold into a smaller package.

But for now, it's best to get used to using one so you have that skill to add with the others you are learning. That way when you need to use it, your comfortable with it.

And as the others have advised, dive every chance you get and you'll be amazed at how easy this sport is.

Good luck on your dives!

 

[syruss32]

Originally posted by silverfish
Thanks for your replies. I have watched the videos and am reviewing the book.Didn't know there was a cd.I did fine at the pool and I am very excited and anxious about the check out dives. How many are there? I notice there are already several variations from the book and video on how she is teaching class.(BTW my instr. is in Belize until the 18th so I can't ask her any ?? just now)The biggest problem I had was water getting into my mask and the regulator was somewhat uncomfortablly large for my mouth.
Could the leaking be due to my mouth piece? I ask because I have been practicing with different mask and snorkels, when I use a certain snorkel all masks have more water in them.The water is coming in at the bottom under my nose.

I remember my checkout dives. I was pretty nervous as you are. One of the girls that was in my class was the only one besides myself with the instructor and I knew that she was more nervous than me cause she had a hard time in the pool.

What got me through it was thinking, sheesh if she can do it I can do it. And even if you fail something you can just try it again. It is not like you are being trained as a navy seal, you are being trained to open your world up to include what all the other divers already know as the true wonders of the world. Nothing man can build can compare to the beauty and grace of what god has created for us under the water.

And getting certified is just like the next step in your evolution. I am certain you will do fine.

If you start feeling nervous think to yourself "that idiot syruss got certified, if he can do it, I can do it"

I will suffer a little ringing in my ears when you are thinking it if it means you get to do that which we all seem to love so much.