timz
Contributor
Good luck... all the best
Encouragement for a beginner
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nolatom
Contributor
I'm from warm water, and am impressed that you're even diving in that really cold stuff.
And what you felt is a natural reaction, as others have pointed out. Try it in warm water some time, it's not that bad, aside from the salt stinging your eyes, which you already have experienced.
It definitely does get better. So hang in there (literally). Diving in cold water (my opinion, from a few New England dives) cranks the beginner/novice tasks up to "intermediate", in a way. So take pride in what you've accomplished, and it will all improve the more you do it.
And what you felt is a natural reaction, as others have pointed out. Try it in warm water some time, it's not that bad, aside from the salt stinging your eyes, which you already have experienced.
It definitely does get better. So hang in there (literally). Diving in cold water (my opinion, from a few New England dives) cranks the beginner/novice tasks up to "intermediate", in a way. So take pride in what you've accomplished, and it will all improve the more you do it.
tlj3071
Contributor
I had substantially the same problem when I started, and found that if I broke down the mask clearing into three separate actions I had MUCH better success: 1) Press on the top of the mask with face inclined toward the surface a little, then blow out through the nose, 2) Wait a second and make sure you are set up to breath through your mouth, 3) Breath through your mouth (repeat from 1) as necessary). I now don't even think about this. Incidentally, I was a wind musician for many, many years before I started diving, and so I thought I'd have pretty good control over when I was breathing through my nose and when through my mouth...just goes to show how unnatural mask clearing can be at the beginning. Also, on mask removal and replacement, don't rush the clearing. Take your time when putting the mask back on, and concentrate on just the breathing and maintaining your bouyancy. I didn't have this problem, but my son-in-law did when he first started.
IVC
Contributor
I'll just give you two thoughts:
(1) There are people who have inhaled a lot of water and there are people who will inhale a lot of water. It's a matter of "when," not "if." Knowing how to deal with it and how to minimize the amount you get in should give you a great peace of mind.
(2) Initial OW dives are very shallow, so don't worry about different environment. If something really unexpected happens you can still bolt to the surface. It's not optimal (or good,) but it should give you yet another peace of mind that you'll be okay, so you can concentrate on doing things the right way instead of worrying about getting hurt.
(1) There are people who have inhaled a lot of water and there are people who will inhale a lot of water. It's a matter of "when," not "if." Knowing how to deal with it and how to minimize the amount you get in should give you a great peace of mind.
(2) Initial OW dives are very shallow, so don't worry about different environment. If something really unexpected happens you can still bolt to the surface. It's not optimal (or good,) but it should give you yet another peace of mind that you'll be okay, so you can concentrate on doing things the right way instead of worrying about getting hurt.
3D diver
Contributor
Keep in mind whatever inspired you to get into SCUBA in the first place.
Everything is new now & will take time to get used to. Take your time, practice what needs to be practiced. It will all be fun when you're comfortable doing it.
FWIW: It isn't Ireland, but I had a wonderful dive Saturday in 57F/14C water:
[video]https://youtu.be/scHHz8iFmy0[/video]
Hmmm...can't get the YT IMG code to work?
Everything is new now & will take time to get used to. Take your time, practice what needs to be practiced. It will all be fun when you're comfortable doing it.
FWIW: It isn't Ireland, but I had a wonderful dive Saturday in 57F/14C water:
[video]https://youtu.be/scHHz8iFmy0[/video]
Hmmm...can't get the YT IMG code to work?
First off please don't bolt to the surface as suggested you can get hurt in shallow water. One trick they may help it did for my wife and a few students I've worked with is wear your mask around the house while you watch tv or whatever. You've been breathing out of your nose your whole life it takes awhile to train yourself not to also if you get the chance sit on the bottom of the pool with you mask off and just breath it tells your brain you can breath without the mask on your face.
Littlerayray
Contributor
One excersize we do its in 3 parts btw all in the pool you can even do this at a public swim bring your mask snorkel and fins with you
Excersize 1 do a full lap around the pool with you mask on and clear of water
Step 2 with eyes closed because chlorine burns the eyes place mask on forehead and do as many laps till your comfortable step
Step 3 with mask on your face flood your mask completely and do as many laps as it takes till you feel comfortable
For all 3 excersize use your snorkel also if you can get your hands on some gear and a pool with an instructor or a friend got to the deep end and just sit at the bottom of the pool till you get Zen like and you feel relaxed then try flooding and clearing
The other thing I tell students all the time is don't rush it's not a race
When you flood your mask let it sit there and stay flooded for a few breaths till the initial shock is over
After the few breaths then clear it
Always do things calm and if you feel yourself getting anxious or excited stop don't move and calm down
And remember no matter what your doing as long as you have air coming from your reg your still alive
Excersize 1 do a full lap around the pool with you mask on and clear of water
Step 2 with eyes closed because chlorine burns the eyes place mask on forehead and do as many laps till your comfortable step
Step 3 with mask on your face flood your mask completely and do as many laps as it takes till you feel comfortable
For all 3 excersize use your snorkel also if you can get your hands on some gear and a pool with an instructor or a friend got to the deep end and just sit at the bottom of the pool till you get Zen like and you feel relaxed then try flooding and clearing
The other thing I tell students all the time is don't rush it's not a race
When you flood your mask let it sit there and stay flooded for a few breaths till the initial shock is over
After the few breaths then clear it
Always do things calm and if you feel yourself getting anxious or excited stop don't move and calm down
And remember no matter what your doing as long as you have air coming from your reg your still alive
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Good to read that you're feeling more positive and intend to practise. As even the wind player mentioned (I'm one too), the whole airway/scuba mask thing is not natural. I'm very lucky in that though I had some trouble with another skill, my airway control has really always been impeccable (maybe 40 years of snorkeling first???). Anyway, all the suggestions about airway and cold water sound good. Also, just fool around with it on land-- ei., alternate inhaling through the nose, exhaling by mouth--reverse--all which ways. Try to "block off" both nose and mouth internally (glottis/soft pallet, etc) so whichever one you want completely shut off from water is locked like a steel trap. Make all types of games with this, fast, slow, etc. Once you have complete control of all airways you will only ingest water when you do something stupid--such as opening your mouth on the surface when you don't think these waves could possibly give you a mouthfull (we've all done that). Good luck. Our water's cooling off as well. Time for just one dive in a day unless one get's that drysuit.
gcarter
Contributor
I spent a couple of hours in the pool doing NOTHING but flood, clear, remove, replace, clear, repeat.
Several dives at the quarry (cold) doing an odd flood and clear to get used to the cold shock and I was good to go.
Like most things, just practice.
Several dives at the quarry (cold) doing an odd flood and clear to get used to the cold shock and I was good to go.
Like most things, just practice.
Eric Sedletzky
Contributor
Breathing without a mask is the hardest skill for most people.
It doesn't matter how much of a "water" person someone is or if they are excellent swimmers.
When your nose and face are underwater there is an overwhelming natural instinct not to breathe. Breathing through your mouth when your nose and eyes are exposed and underwater goes against everything we were pre programmed as humans to do, "Don't breathe stupid, your head is underwater!".
It takes practice and concentration for everyone.
keep working at it and each time it will get easier and easier.
When I used to help with students and they had problems I had a series of excercises to help them. One rule was there was no going up. If you found yourself at 100 feet (30 meters) without a mask you don't just shoot up, you must resolve the problem.
It doesn't matter how much of a "water" person someone is or if they are excellent swimmers.
When your nose and face are underwater there is an overwhelming natural instinct not to breathe. Breathing through your mouth when your nose and eyes are exposed and underwater goes against everything we were pre programmed as humans to do, "Don't breathe stupid, your head is underwater!".
It takes practice and concentration for everyone.
keep working at it and each time it will get easier and easier.
When I used to help with students and they had problems I had a series of excercises to help them. One rule was there was no going up. If you found yourself at 100 feet (30 meters) without a mask you don't just shoot up, you must resolve the problem.
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