Dive vacation coming up!

[BDSC]

On the nite dive, follow someone with one of these--or similar setup.......seriously, it will take all fears away(will also take all darkness away)...

Yep. And it takes all the nighttime creatures away. When I got my Sunray 1000 LED's I was so pumped to go on my first night dive with it. High power was unreal. It was no longer a night dive though. So I cut it down to low and I was still scaring away everything. Now I have my wife carry a flashlight to spot something for me then I capture it quickly.

 

[Crowley]

I think the Russians will be wanting that back. How did it manage to fall out of orbit unscathed?

 

[GFuterfas]

Hi,

The class is all about having an instructor that you have confidence in. If you can, do a couple of dives before the AOW class to get acclimated.

The night dive isn't as scary or spooky as you might think, especially in a group with several lights going. I remember being a bit nervous on the boat ride out, but it was beautiful underwater and the best dive I'd been on. My AOW class didn't require the night dive, by the way. We could choose a different Adventure dive.

The key to going deep is to go slow. Stay calm, don't be in a rush, and it will be like any other dive. Not a long dive because of the depth.

AOW will help you gain confidence by doing a few more dives with an instructor who can give you some guidance. Remember that diving is supposed to be fun, but it takes a few dives to really get the hang of it and feel safe and comfortable.

 

[diver 85]

Yep. And it takes all the nighttime creatures away. When I got my Sunray 1000 LED's I was so pumped to go on my first night dive with it. High power was unreal. It was no longer a night dive though. So I cut it down to low and I was still scaring away everything. Now I have my wife carry a flashlight to spot something for me then I capture it quickly.

But, the fears are gone---she gets her 'nite' dive in & has another card......

 

[diver 85]

Hi,

The class is all about having an instructor that you have confidence in. If you can, do a couple of dives before the AOW class to get acclimated.

The night dive isn't as scary or spooky as you might think, especially in a group with several lights going. I remember being a bit nervous on the boat ride out, but it was beautiful underwater and the best dive I'd been on. My AOW class didn't require the night dive, by the way. We could choose a different Adventure dive.

The key to going deep is to go slow. Stay calm, don't be in a rush, and it will be like any other dive. Not a long dive because of the depth.

AOW will help you gain confidence by doing a few more dives with an instructor who can give you some guidance. Remember that diving is supposed to be fun, but it takes a few dives to really get the hang of it and feel safe and comfortable.

Good points but everything you said can be achieved without an instructor.....lol, I had many nite dives & many dives deeper than 100+ when I took my AOW in '86...It's all about your initial instructions(OW class) & how well you rmember what you were taught, IMO............This ain't rocket surgery we're performing UW.....

 

[PatW]

Night dives are not hard. It is a matter of getting used to the dark and relaxing. If you can try swimming in a large pool at night (with a few lights around). Especially swimming underwater. It is just a matter of getting used to moving around in the dark and getting some confidence.

 

[beachlvr0168]

agree with the some of the above sentiments but I think some of the posters above did not see that the OP is finishing the AOW class, not just going diving, so the deep dive is mandatory

Slowly slowly is the key to rebuild your confidence. I don't know the dive op but explain the situation to them, hopefully they are understanding enough to cater to your anxiety. Speak to your group, make sure all your buddies understand.

Start off with a nice shallow check dive. Make sure your weighting is correct and you are comfortable getting back into the equipment, at a dive site with easy access, small currents, free of hazards that might startle you - excess boat traffic, overhead environments, great white sharks, that sort of thing. (Just kidding about the sharks!)

For the AOW deep dive, you don't have to hit 100ft, the requirement is 60 - 100ft. Get the others completed first and save the deep dive until last if possible - maybe the first dive of a third or fourth day, if your dive shop will accommodate you, or get a few days diving in before you start the class.

regarding the night dive - you do NOT have to do a night dive, at least not for the PADI AOW class. Only Deep and Navigation are required, unless there's some extra law in your area. Again, if you want to try, save it for later. If it is possible, find a nice shallow, easy to navigate dive site with lots of shore lights - they are amazingly reassuring - and one that you have dived during the day so you have some familiarity with it.

Hope that helps and good luck!

C.

Thanks, I am definitely going with a group that is understanding and that have already told me if I don't want to a dive then I don't have to. I can finish when I get home at my own pace. So I will definitely take my time and enjoy the trip.

 

[seaducer]

It is not stupid to be apprehensive about diving at night and/or diving deep. Most divers are early on, especially the night dive.

I find night dives to be very relaxing, especially in the Caribbean where there is often sooo much activity on the reef during the day, at night you just concentrate on what your light shows you. You can get much more intimate(that does not mean cuddle with it though) with the reef, and you will see so much more color too.

As for what is around you? Nothing that is really dangerous, you and your buddies with be larger than almost everything out there, and making a heck of a racket blowing all those bubbles. Some predators will use your lights to hunt by, most others will be heading away from you because you will bother them.

It is easier to keep track of your dive party at night because your eye is perfect at detecting light. Just be sure if your group meets another that you know how to tell who is who. In reality this will only save you the embarrassment of thinking you are grabbing your hubby when really you are grabbing a total stranger. If you get with the wrong group it doesn't matter, you are all going to the same place, you'll have a great story to tell to boot.

Deep? We slay a lot of pixels on this board talking about what to do when it all goes wrong, as sometimes it does, as you know. That is a very rare thing though. You have training and will be with people who also have training. Just try to relax and not allow your anxiety to cause you to make a mistake. Pay attention to your gear and how you are feeling all while enjoying what is there to see. It is not much different than checking your speed on the highway in traffic. It seems almost overwhelming and dangerous at first but soon becomes second nature.

There are a lot of instructors and DM's here that can give you real tips and advice, so I am sure you will be fine and enjoy your trip!

 

[vladimir]

agree with the some of the above sentiments but I think some of the posters above did not see that the OP is finishing the AOW class, not just going diving, so the deep dive is mandatory

You are correct Crowley, the fact that she would have to do those dives to get her AOW didn't occur to me. I stand by my advice, however, noting that AOW is not mandatory, just as night dives and deep dives are not. I think the OP is one of those divers who would benefit from more dives before she takes her advanced course. As somebody else pointed out, it's supposed to be fun.

 

[philmayer]

You're going to be making a bunch of dives on the west end of Roatan where the Turtle Sanctuary is. You're going to see a ton of sea life, turtles, eels, seahorses, and fishes from every color in the rainbow. Most of your dives will be to 30'-40'. Just go and enjoy the trip.

AKR also has a Dolphin Experience where you can snorkel with their dolphins. Spengin some time in the water with them will almost certainly help you get comfortable.

If you find you're comfortable enough with your diving later in the week, do your AOW dives then. If you're not comfortable enough, you absolutely do not have to complete your AOW on this trip. There's nothing wrong with being scared. Continue your training at your own pace, nobody elses.

You're going to have a blast. Roatan is a fantastic place.