experience

[STOGEY]

I have a question for you more and maybe less experienced divers.

When you first went through you dive classes and got certified, what did you learn just through experience that they didn't teach you in class?

For example, for me it was and still will be learning how to manage air. When I work out in the pool I swim to expand energy to increase my endurance. However when I do this I am using more air. When I am doing a surface swim during a shore dive it is the opposite. That is trying to swim to my descent spot and expand less energy while doing the swim, so that I consume less air during my descent.

 

[johnny_bravo]

The subtle nuances of perfect buoyancy...it took me a while to understand if i wanted to rise or sink a few feet i did not need to touch my BC but rather handle it with my breathing.

 

[Lost_At_Sea]

I still have trouble sometimes on trying to conserve my air. No one has every taught that to me. Even though I work out and run, I still go through air. I can't help it. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[ScubaBabe22]

it really depends on the diver... my mom is more nervous diving, and so she sucks air, while I'm more comfortable and breath less heavily... It really depends... try and make your breathing more shallow and relaxed... but don't do it if you think you'll become lightheaded....practice on land, and maybe change your workouts?

 

[TSandM]

I think one of the biggest things I've learned just through experience is the value of doing nothing. There is so much information to be gained from just being still. If you stop finning or moving your hands, and you tilt feet down or head down, you know your weights aren't distributed correctly to help you with your trim. If you stop finning and sink, you were diving negative and correcting with propulsion; similarly, if you rise, you were positive and swimming down. If you can simply hang in the water, breathing slowly and regularly, then you have your buoyancy and your trim, and you can really begin to dive.

 

[FFMDiver]

I'm on my way to my LDS to get a HP 130!

After a few years of diving my SAC is just bad. But I think my trim isnt bad.
From what I have read here bigger tanks are not a solution for everyone though.

 

[dkktsunami]

Damn near everything. Even though it was taught, or hinted at, not much really stuck in terms of practical application. Experience was learning for me.

 

[Dave Zimmerly]

To Lost at Sea - When I went for my first dive trip (Bonaire) my friend and DM showed me a way to breath that I still use to this day. First, before you get in the water, find time to calm an clear your mind, using deep long breaths...in and out. When you get in the water, inhale normally and exhale in three short/small breaths, instead of one long one. After three cycles of breathing in and exhaling three, and also to avoid CO2 buildup, make sure you get a deep inhale and exhale. Then back to inhale normal, exhale in three short/small breaths.

Think in cycles of three. I'm not saying to hold your breath when exhaling, but break it up into shorter cycles of exhaling. After while it will become second nature.

For what it's worth.

Dave (aka "Squirt")

 

[matt_unique]

Definitely buoyancy....stress management (recognizing things that could lead to anxiety - overbreathing - entanglement awareness - site risk assesment etc.)...alternate finning techniques....I can probably think of more but that's off the top of my head.

--Matt

 

[STOGEY]

I'm one of those that is never happy with the way I do things so I'm always trying to do things a little differently then the way I did things like yesterday. However while diving I've learned that if I'm doing somethng a certai way and it aint broke, I shouldn't keep trying to change it.