Do you self-train?

[truant]

Having recently finished my OW course, I got to thinking about the skills I learned.

Some of them will save my life, or someone elses. But, even tho I showed proficiency to get certified, we all know it's a controlled situation pretty much, so it's easier to expect challenges to deal with. I figure in a REAL situation it might take some time to think properly, which could make a difference - quite a big one.

I know some of you old timers are completely comfortable underwater, and some of the stuff I 'got thru' is probably stuff you can do all day without being bothered.

So, do you guys practice things when you get a spare moment? I figured it wouldn't hurt, but just not sure if it is the 'done thing'.

 

[mwhities]

I'm not an "old timer", but I would think and practicing that you do will help in a real situation. If you practice something so often, it becomes second nature and when the time comes it happens for real, you will instinctively know and do what you had "trained yourslf" to do.

Practice, practice....

Michael

 

[Wilson]

I do a number of Refreshers with OW students who haven't been in the water in awhile and I get a chance to revisit the skills then. I am expected to do a "quality demonstration" of the skills though, and this took much practice on my own to feel comfortable with. Mask-clearing seems to be the one that people have the most trouble with...that and buoyancy.

 

[Dive-aholic]

When I first started diving I practiced some of the skills I learned in OW, specifically the air sharing drills. I still practice those skills, only they're called S-drills now. My wife and I (both instructors) run through a pre-dive check, bubble check, and S-drill before every cave dive we do. Practice will train your muscles to react when the need arises. You won't even have to think about it. It just happens. So, yes, practice.

 

[Scotty g]

Use spare time wisely underwater. If your waiting for your buddy to equalize, waiting at the 3 mins stop etc, use that time to run a few drills. If i got a minute where i'm literally not doing anything, i do some basic stuff just to familiarise and practise.

Scotty

 

[Wilson]

Like Dive-aholic said...you can't practice air shairing skills enough.

 

[1_T_Submariner]

Yes, My buddies and I practice a lot. Most of our dives are in a quarry so you run out of things to look at.

Also congrats on passing OW. Welcome to Scuba diving.

 

[Mr.X]

Having recently finished my OW course, I got to thinking about the skills I learned.

Some of them will save my life, or someone elses. But, even tho I showed proficiency to get certified, we all know it's a controlled situation pretty much, so it's easier to expect challenges to deal with. I figure in a REAL situation it might take some time to think properly, which could make a difference - quite a big one.

I know some of you old timers are completely comfortable underwater, and some of the stuff I 'got thru' is probably stuff you can do all day without being bothered.

So, do you guys practice things when you get a spare moment? I figured it wouldn't hurt, but just not sure if it is the 'done thing'.

Learning occurs in steps. OW1 constitutes the barest sets of scuba skills necessary to dive @ 60'.

Smart instructors try to instill a set of beliefs in their students. This belief system includes a desire to continue their UW education using structured instruction.

Of course, you can practice all the emergency skills you want, but "discovery" only goes so far. It is far more efficient and safer when there is a skilled instructor facilitating your UW education. Example: Discovering how to EXCEL on your own, or taking a class from someone who can show you proper methodology and shortcuts.

In the olden days of scuba (40-50's) there weren't a huge number of folks there to act as mentors. The only way to learn was by doing it. Sometimes, these guys never made it back.

 

[TSandM]

My buddies and I practice frequently -- not just air-sharing, although we do that a lot, but also mask-off swimming, and ascent drills where we practice staying together and in good communication while doing free water ascents and hitting our stops. Although Mr. X is right that good instruction is very valuable in acquiring new skills and refining old ones, there is a LOT you can do by yourself.

 

[Midnight Star]

Yes, everyday - When it warms up (i'm not into ice diving), the open water will be my new friend.

-----

Mike.