Deep AOW

[NauticalbutNice]

Hey -

I'm due to do my AOW Deep dive at the weekend. I've done the navigation one, but this one is making me a little nervous. Excited too though! :jump013:

Does anyone have any tips/advice that they'd like to pass on to the newbie?

Cheers

NauticalbutNice :fruit:

 

[macgyver2258]

Hey NauticalbutNice,
Don’t worry, patience and trusting your previous knowledge will get you through it.
Clint

 

[theskull]

Relax. You'll love it. Yes, I do have some tips.

1. Control your buoyancy while descending so you know what your depth is and are in control of it. Do not exceed the depth set by the instructor OR the depth at which you are comfortable.

2. If you become uncomfortable or worried (and you really shouldn't), follow the classic advice of Stop, Breathe, Think. Under no circumstances should you consider swimming rapidly for the surface as an option on a deep dive!

3. Relax! Breathe in a relaxed manner. Perform your tasks in a slow and relaxed fashion. ENJOY!!!

Have fun and dive safe,
theskull

 

[matt_unique]

Hey -

I'm due to do my AOW Deep dive at the weekend. I've done the navigation one, but this one is making me a little nervous. Excited too though! :jump013:

Does anyone have any tips/advice that they'd like to pass on to the newbie?

Cheers

NauticalbutNice :fruit:

I think everyone develops their own way for managing diving stress. First of all know that every diver, at every skill level, can feel anxious under different circumstances. You don't reach a magic skill/dive level then become immune to stress or anxiety. You can have a bad day at work and have it affect your dive for example.

With that being said, the frequency of stress or anxiety is reduced with more experience. If this will be your first dive to this depth or at this site it is totally normal for you to feel some anxiety about it. It is the same feeling that adds to the sense of accomplishment and adventure in my opinion.

You will experience some affects of nitrogen narcosis even though it may not be apparent to you. Your instructor may have you do a math problem or such as a way to show you this affect. Everyone has a different tolerance and once again this can change from day to day even for the same person. Get a good nights sleep (if you can) and be well hydrated. All the skills you have learned to date will still apply at the deeper depth - clearing the mask, regulator recovery, buoyancy control, etc. This does not change with depth. The way you clear your mask in 2 feet of water is the exact same for clearing the mask at 75' or 400'. The same applies for the other skills you will need to demonstrate on this dive. Keep this in mind while you are diving. I found this helpful when I first began diving deeper.

Remember your other basic dive skills - move slow, inhale and exhale fully, watch your gas, and enjoy the experience of going to a place you have never been before.

--Matt

 

[SquattingRadishDM]

Like others have said relaxing is the main thing to remember. This will help with bouyancy control and air consumption. Remember that its more important than ever to make a slow ascent when on a deep dive as the penalties are greater.

Its natural to feel anxious before going deeper than you have previously. Im assuming ur doing a PADI AOW (based on ur profile) and the dive will be limited to 18-30m. You may get a have a slight bit of narcosis but as ur not going deeper than 30m I cant imagine you'll feel anything too noticable.

Just relax and enjoy urself

 

[verona]

Try and relax and trust your instructor. Are you doing the dive in Bonnie Scotland? Do you know where? If you are, one thing you might be surprised at, depending on what depth you go to, is that it can get a bit dark in UK waters, particularly if it is a dull day at this time of year. This can be a shock if you are not expecting it. Of course, it might not happen but often it is better to be ready in case it does. If it is a possibility, your instructor will probably have lights and may also have a divemaster along, too.

If you are diving in Scotland and depending where, you are unlikely to go to 30m. I have DM'd AOW deep dives and depths tend to be around 23/24m in local conditions. Remember that cold water dives are often calculated as being 3 or 4m deeper than they actually are to take account of the conditions.

It will be good experience for you and once you have completed the dive, you will have a real sense of achievement.

So enjoy and let us know how you get on.

 

[Web Monkey]

Hey -

I'm due to do my AOW Deep dive at the weekend. I've done the navigation one, but this one is making me a little nervous. Excited too though! :jump013:

Does anyone have any tips/advice that they'd like to pass on to the newbie?

Cheers

NauticalbutNice :fruit:

In freshwater, 130' is just like 30' only colder and darker, and you can't stay as long.

Bring a flashlight and dress warm, keep a close eye on your SPG (it goes down fast when you're deep).

Terry

 

[ScubaFreak]

Verona got there before me!!

The way we do it, is that we give the advanced students their own torch.
It may be a bit dark, but I think thats kinda cool
Be confident in the skills you've already got, trust yourself!!

And remember, there's nothing wrong with being a little nervous- the day I stop getting nervous is the day I sell my dive kit

Above all, enjoy it and let us know what you thought!

SF

 

[Kennedydive]

Have fun! We have all been there and done it. It's one of the best courses to do. As others said relax remember what you have been taught. You're instructor is there walking you through this and you'll have a good time. I remember the anxiety I had before my first dive below 60 feet, and the first time below 100, and the first time below 130, 150, 200 and so on. It's normal. But if you don't feel right about something and something just isn't jiving for you don't ignore it. There is a difference between anxiety and that feeling that you shouldn't be diving. If you scrap a dive there is always another day. Other than that have fun and enjoy yourself.
Jason

 

[chrispete]

Only one quick thing to add, if you do feel like the dive is getting to be too much for you don't hesitate to let a DM or the instructor know and if they can't help you work through the problem at depth, don't hesitate to call the dive - and don't feel bad about doing so.

You sound very enthusiastic about the dive, I don't think that this will be a situation that you will run into, but...

Good Luck & Have Fun!