Completed my first Open Water dive!!

[N.Grace]

I completed my first Open Water dive today in Kent. I was very nervous about descending. I think it was the thought of the "unknown" - I'd been briefed about the dive site - but still had this worry about what was lurking down in that lake! But, once I'd gone under once I didn't have a problem doing it again. We reached a maximum depth of 9m. It was really super hot today in the UK which was nice but I was also worried about sunburn/getting dehydrated but I drank loads of water and used sunblock and kept my shoulders covered with a towel and I didn't burn at all. I've never been diving outside of a pool before but once I got past the anxiety I was fine.
I really enjoyed it even though the visibility was pretty awful as the bottom of the lake is chalky and there were lots of student divers there still getting to grips with buoyancy and accidentally kicking up the chalk. I think I would have found things easier if I could see where I was going and what I was doing, ha. I go back again tomorrow.
On the second dive we did, I found it difficult to equalize properly in my left ear - I kept going up a little bit and equalizing and descending again but it didn't really do much. When I got home I had a terrible headache behind my left eye and my ear was painful although it's easing off a bit now I've taken some Ibuprofen. That was the only issue really. Very proud that I'm now finally "officially" a scuba diver, though

 

[WVRICK]

Congratulations, before long you will be a card carrying member.

 

[Capnhook]

Congratulations. Just be careful with that ear. Sounds like you may have a bit of barotrauma. If its still bothering you tomorrow, diving again will only worsen it. No shame in delaying the next dive until its had a chance to recover.

 

[N.Grace]

Congratulations. Just be careful with that ear. Sounds like you may have a bit of barotrauma. If its still bothering you tomorrow, diving again will only worsen it. No shame in delaying the next dive until its had a chance to recover.

Ear feels okay now, headache has disappeared. Looking forward to today

 

[dbulmer]

NGrace,
Main thing today is breathe slow and deep. You can also get a headache if your breathing is too shallow. When nervous, some people don't breathe slow and deep and this results in a build up of C02.

Before your descent, wet your face fully and let a bit of water surround your ears - just waggle your head a bit and let the water cool your ears. You can do this on the surface and it should help you equalise a little easier.

Have a nice day

 

[bergersau]

Congratulations on successful first open water dives.
Look after your ears and enjoy the rest of the course.

BTW how'd you go with the wetsuit?

 

[LowDrag]

A little late but good luck on your next set of dives. Take care of your ear.

 

[TSandM]

Congratulations! Clearly you figured out how to get into that wetsuit . . .

Do be careful with the ear. Ear injuries are the most common injuries in scuba students, but most of them will resolve without problems if you don't push it.

 

[N.Grace]

Congratulations on successful first open water dives.
Look after your ears and enjoy the rest of the course.

BTW how'd you go with the wetsuit?

Congratulations! Clearly you figured out how to get into that wetsuit . . .

Do be careful with the ear. Ear injuries are the most common injuries in scuba students, but most of them will resolve without problems if you don't push it.

I managed to get into the wetsuit!! ha. I found plastic bags worked well. No stresses with the wetsuit now.
I got certified earlier today as an Open Water diver. My instructors said they were very impressed with my buoyancy skills which is great. Visibility was a bit better today and the lake wasn't as crowded. Slight problem equalizing my other ear this time, but wasn't anything major and managed to sort it. My ears feel fine now. Unfortunately I lost my snorkel - it fell off my mask. One minute it was there the next it was gone! But apart from the vanishing snorkel, everything was fine and I felt much more confident today.
Thanks for all the help and advice to everyone here, it is very much appreciated.

 

[bergersau]

Unfortunately I lost my snorkel - it fell off my mask. One minute it was there the next it was gone!

Good to hear.

Don't stress on the snorkel - Snorkels are cheap and some posters here even think you're better off without one.