Do you self-train?

[spectrum]

So, do you guys practice things when you get a spare moment?

Absolutely, whenver I can or remeber to. Sometimes we set asside part of a dive for this or if we get back close to the exit with extra air it's a good way to burn it off.

Be careful about springing an OOA drill on a unwarned buddy though.

Same is true for trying things I was not taught assuming it something I have seen done or got to study up on. Shooting a buoy, valve drills, stuff like that.

Pete

 

[peanut]

My boyfriend and I both have close to 300 dives and we both still practice when we are underwater. At any given time you might see one of us with our mask off (sometimes for me it's because it's too loose or too tight and I'm adjusting it) or you might see one of us floating around with our air too in our mouth instead of our primary reg (also helps to make sure the darn thing is working). I stop a lot and hover, for one thing it's fun but it's a skill I like to keep up since my boyfriend shoots video and I spend a lot of time just hanging waiting on him. We've even had to repair his BC underwater, no small feat since we both have integrated BC's so to take his off and repair it without him floating up was a challenge. We've had to share air for real a couple of times, he is an air hog and I am a fish so I always have lots of air. If he is running low and doesn't want to get too low during a hang, he'll ask for some of mine.

 

[Scuba Brian]

You'd be surprised in the unlikely event something does happen how quickly your training is remembered. Its always a good idea to stay fresh with your skills. Most dive shops will let you either take a refresher or allow you to pay a small fee to jump into the pool and practice.

Good luck and safe diving,

Brian Day
Padi MSDT#198541

 

[waterpirate]

Practice is the key concept.
No matter who you are or where you have been, without repitition of basic skills you lose your edge. IMHO
I found out two years ago that the best way to get alot of people jacked up on a mid atlantic charter with poor vis, was to practice mask flood and clear/ reg recovery at 90 fsw.
Note to self-I almost got poked in the eye by people offering their octo's LOL
Eric

 

[Dive-aholic]

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.

However, an open water cert doesn't necessarily give you the training to dive to 60' in all conditions or any conditions. The OW training I received had a lot to be desired. The class didn't go any deeper than 22' and the dives all lasted less than 30 minutes. Everyone was coming up with at least 1500 psi. This happened because the instructor (as directed by the LDS) was just meeting standards. The tour portion of each dive lasted less than 5 minutes.

So was I ready to go to 60'? Not at all. I was ready to go to 22', maybe 25'. I did go to 36' on my first dive after OW and stayed down for almost an hour. I don't think 60' would have been smart.

This may be a little off the original subject, but I just wanted to make it clear that the 60' is not absolute. Divers are trained for the conditions and depths they dive in. They need to slowly expand that in order to gain more experience. And if it's a radical change, do it with a much more experienced diver.

 

[SuSexFulDiver]

Its cool that to see this tread when I just signed on, because I just got back from the pool across the street practicing removing my mask underwater and putting it back on and clearing it, the only difference is I used my snorkel instead of a regulator and tank. On tuesday our instructor is going to have us swim around the pool with our mask off. The worst part is the clorine in that dive shop pool is seem to be super thick and burns like hell. lol Tonight I also did some lap swimming. My girlfriend did not pass the underwater mask removal clearing the other night so she spent most of her time practicing it in the pool also but while breathing through a snorkel.

 

[Mr.X]

Its cool that to see this tread when I just signed on, because I just got back from the pool across the street practicing removing my mask underwater and putting it back on and clearing it, the only difference is I used my snorkel instead of a regulator and tank. On tuesday our instructor is going to have us swim around the pool with our mask off. The worst part is the clorine in that dive shop pool is seem to be super thick and burns like hell. lol Tonight I also did some lap swimming. My girlfriend did not pass the underwater mask removal clearing the other night so she spent most of her time practicing it in the pool also but while breathing through a snorkel.

More chlorine = more kids visiting a pool.

Tip. You can practice mask clearing standing under a light shower. Fill up the mask as necessary, tip the head and blow. Gives folks more opportunities to get it right in the comfort of their own home + not as much chlorine!

 

[mislav]

I try to practice as much as I can, but I'm still not satisfied with my mask clearing. Need more practice...

 

[Midnight Star]

I try to practice as much as I can, but I'm still not satisfied with my mask clearing. Need more practice...

I remember when I went for my first pool dive, I would clear my mask and it would refill, clear and refill ... the instructor gave me the mask clearing award to someone who couldnt keep the water out!

I finally figured out what I was doing wrong. I would grasp my mask with the thumb towards the bottom of the mask, then I would try and pull the bottom skirt off my upper lip while really blowing hard out of my nose - the problem is, I broke the seal elsewhere and as soon as I stopped blowing more water would come in. Now I just lightly (lightly!) hold the top of the mask against my forehead (one or two fingers will do), then slowly exhale out my nose ... the seal breaks at the bottom and water is displaced with air.

I have a Mythos mask; it's low volume and has a super soft clear skirt. This makes clearing easy. I'm thinking if the mask has to be strapped on tightly to prevent leaking, this will make clearing more difficult.

Have you tried with other masks to see if this is adding to the difficulty?

Also, I love going to the pool (not with my scuba gear, but just with a mask fins and snorkel), and just free dive (ditch the snorkel here if it bothers you - I usually do). While i'm there, I get the feel for clearing and other things where i'm not "overtasked" with other diving chores.

Good luck!

-----

Mike.

 

[mislav]

Thanks! That's some good advice!

It's not that I'm not able to do it, but I think I could do it better. I have no problems clearing my mask underwater - unless I'm close to the surface, in which case I can't help to either surface or sink. I just can't maintain buoyancy while doing this exercise.