Failed my Day 1 PADI Pool Training

[lowwall]

One option is a private class. But if you want, I bet you could go back and ace this class. You've already paid for it right?

The key to doing this is pre-class preparation using small steps. I'm going to list the smallest steps because you need some rebuilding after what you experienced. You can skip some of these if you are feeling up to it.

First do some swimming with this mask in a pool. Then with your wife next to you, practice clearing the mask while kneeling in the pool. Once you are really comfortable with this, add a snorkel and practice just swimming around with the mask and fins and then clearing the mask while swimming with the fins.

Separately, practice breathing through the reg both with mask on and off. Start on the couch, but also do it in the bathtub with your face in the water. You can skip the fins for this part

On your next pool session do it all together. Have your wife wear the tank and you breathe off the octo. Stay on the surface. Hold hands and just swim around together. Once you are truly comfortable doing this, which may take 5 minutes or 30 minutes, close your eyes and pull the mask away from your face so it fills up with water. Keep breathing and keep moving while you get used to the feeling. Now take the mask completely off. Again keep breathing and keep moving. Once you are feeling calm about this, stop and put the mask back on. Now start again and after however long it takes to get comfortable again, let some water into the mask and then clear it. Repeat several times. Put the wetsuit on and do it again. Wetsuits make things feel different, the constriction is unpleasant and can cause anxiety at first.

Whether you can go further depends on whether you have your own gear. Equalizing is the other issue (along with mask clearing) that trips people up. Maybe practice that in the deep end with just the mask. I would also try to do some breathing off the reg underwater. You can use a weight belt or hang on to the pool ladder and just breathe off your wife's octo. Do a few mask clears and you will be ready for whatever the class throws at you.

I did an abbreviated version of this with my 12-year-old son before his OW class. It was a private class, but he had absolutely no problems and pretty much nailed every drill the first time.

 

[Quicklynx]

Thanks, All! So many posts I will try to respond a little later with a better detailed one.

I just wanted to say that I realized in my post I think I made the instructor come off as brash.

That was not the case. I would say they were firm and blunt, which I'm perfectly capable of handling.

I think the main issue was my ill preparedness coming into the training, not realizing how fast paced it was, and not recognizing that having some hands on training prior I would've greatly benefitted from. Being my first ever day even putting a regulator in my mouth was probably a bad decision on my part.

I had familiarization with everything via books and videos, but no personal experience.

I also wanted to say that the instructor did show empathy and we have had some discussions about getting more comfortable in the water. I do have a call scheduled with them this week to go over my next steps.

The rest of the class had no issues and everyone passed, which I was very happy for.

I have accomplished a lot in other realms of technical sports, etc.. so I think I was fairly complacent coming in thinking this would be minimal issue for me, as long as my lungs allowed for it. It was a poor attitude on my part.

My wife also wants to take me with her to do some stuff as well. She has some ideas and she's a great teacher, and honestly would probably be enjoyable for both of us.

There have been times I've let her take the stick in the sky. It's kind of the same reaction I had when I tried diving. She held the stick with all her might and I just had to tell her to relax and fly it with her index finger.

 

[Lorenzoid]

Great replies so far, and I agree with those who recommend a lower student-to-instructor ratio, even one-on-one classes, and perhaps even seek out a particular instructor based on recommendations. You need to slow down and master one small thing at a time, under the guidance of a patient instructor. Flying lessons couldn't be completed in just a few days and the instructor's time didn't come cheap. Likewise, quality dive instruction from a well-regarded instructor may take some time and may cost more.

I firmly believe you will overcome your difficulties if you keep at it. Someday when you have been diving for years a newbie who had a bad day in dive class will happen across this thread and think, "Wow, if an aerobatic pilot had difficulty and overcame it, so can I." Thank you for such a great post.

 

[NothingClever]

Thanks, All! So many posts I will try to respond a little later with a better detailed one.

I just wanted to say that I realized in my post I think I made the instructor come off as brash.

That was not the case. I would say they were firm and blunt, which I'm perfectly capable of handling.

I think the main issue was my ill preparedness coming into the training, not realizing how fast paced it was, and not recognizing that having some hands on training prior I would've greatly benefitted from. Being my first ever day even putting a regulator in my mouth was probably a bad decision on my part.

I had familiarization with everything via books and videos, but no personal experience.

I also wanted to say that the instructor did show empathy and we have had some discussions about getting more comfortable in the water. I do have a call scheduled with them this week to go over my next steps.

The rest of the class had no issues and everyone passed, which I was very happy for.

I have accomplished a lot in other realms of technical sports, etc.. so I think I was fairly complacent coming in thinking this would be minimal issue for me, as long as my lungs allowed for it. It was a poor attitude on my part.

My wife also wants to take me with her to do some stuff as well. She has some ideas and she's a great teacher, and honestly would probably be enjoyable for both of us.

There have been times I've let her take the stick in the sky. It's kind of the same reaction I had when I tried diving. She held the stick with all her might and I just had to tell her to relax and fly it with her index finger.

You got this, brother.

You’re going to crush it.

 

[DiveProKoko]

I'm an instructor for a different agency...and I'm still trying to get past how a new student having issues was doing/learning deep water skills in Pool 1......Maybe another shop or private lessons, buddy. Sounds rushed. Good luck!

 

[Esprise Me]

I'm really impressed with your post, @Quicklynx . For every person who takes the time to reflect on their struggles, let alone share them in a public forum as you did, there are surely dozens, if not hundreds, who have a similar experience but just give up. It looks to me like you have the key personality traits to become an excellent, skilled, and safe diver. It also sounds like you're far more physically fit than most, so nice going there.

It also sounds like you have a great buddy in your wife. I like her idea of just sitting on the couch breathing from the reg, and I strongly endorse your idea of private lessons. I'm not an instructor, but it seems to me like it's really hard for instructors to make even a living wage while providing quality training. There's just such a huge amount of pressure to keep prices low that the only way to make it work is to churn through the class with the maximum number of students in the minimum amount of time, and that means leaving behind anyone who can't keep up at every step. I got a Groupon deal for my OW class. There were 10 students on the first day, but only 5 of us on the last. They just couldn't stop long enough to help anyone who stumbled. I was one of the 5 who finished, but knowing what I know now, I would gladly pay several times what I did to go slower.

A couple of specific thoughts on the mask and reg issues. Masks often leak, and when they don't leak, they often fog. You will need to get good at clearing your mask, and you may also choose, as I do, to leave a tiny bit of water in your mask to keep it from fogging. Be sure the mask fits your face by putting it on without the strap around your head and sucking in slightly through your nose; it should stay in place. Ideally do this with a reg or at least a snorkel in your mouth to account for the change in the shape of your upper lip. If it fits, be sure the strap isn't too tight; if you can see the outline of the mask on your face after you remove it, you probably need to loosen it up. The right level of tightness will probably seem too loose at first. But even once you get those things right, there will be some leakage from time to time when you squint or smile or turn your head way to the side.

As for fogging, I bought a backup mask for my solo diving that still fogs after having two different employees at my local dive shop burn it with a lighter and after I vigorously scrubbed it with toothpaste. The shop owner offered me a refund, despite it being very well used at this point, and explained that sometimes those low-profile masks are just really prone to fogging. I kept it, and I just peel back the skirt a tiny bit to let some water in as needed.

Dealing with these issues is one of those things that's often really difficult at first, but once you get over that steep hill, it's easy and not stressful. I still remember the abject terror I felt at taking off my mask during that pool session. I knew I could still breathe through my reg, but my lizard brain refused to accept that and went on full red alert. It doesn't happen to everyone, but it happens to some of us, and it's surmountable. Just work up to it slowly, and take as much time as you need to push through it.

But I am a little perplexed that you kept ending up with the reg out of your mouth. That may be something you need to focus on and work extra hard to train your lizard brain not to do. It's not uncommon for panicking divers to start ripping off their gear, but it's quite counterproductive.

Good luck and don't be a stranger around here!

 

[wnissen]

I think the main issue was my ill preparedness coming into the training, not realizing how fast paced it was, and not recognizing that having some hands on training prior I would've greatly benefitted from. Being my first ever day even putting a regulator in my mouth was probably a bad decision on my part.

The PADI Open Water class is designed to have almost nothing in terms of prerequisites. You are in fact expected to come in cold on your first day. If you can complete the swim, you're good to go. Yes, many people come in with snorkeling or other swimming experience, or have done a Discover Scuba, but many have not. Again, I see the instructors not being able to interrupt the cycle and get you back on track.

In fact, when you get certified you are required to sign a statement that you will deny the use of your SCUBA equipment to those who are not certified. So you are definitely not supposed to breathe off a regulator as practice before class.

 

[Edward3c]

Thanks, All! So many posts I will try to respond a little later with a better detailed one.

I just wanted to say that I realized in my post I think I made the instructor come off as brash.

That was not the case. I would say they were firm and blunt, which I'm perfectly capable of handling.

I think the main issue was my ill preparedness coming into the training, not realizing how fast paced it was, and not recognizing that having some hands on training prior I would've greatly benefitted from. Being my first ever day even putting a regulator in my mouth was probably a bad decision on my part.

I had familiarization with everything via books and videos, but no personal experience.

I also wanted to say that the instructor did show empathy and we have had some discussions about getting more comfortable in the water. I do have a call scheduled with them this week to go over my next steps.

The rest of the class had no issues and everyone passed, which I was very happy for.

I have accomplished a lot in other realms of technical sports, etc.. so I think I was fairly complacent coming in thinking this would be minimal issue for me, as long as my lungs allowed for it. It was a poor attitude on my part.

My wife also wants to take me with her to do some stuff as well. She has some ideas and she's a great teacher, and honestly would probably be enjoyable for both of us.

There have been times I've let her take the stick in the sky. It's kind of the same reaction I had when I tried diving. She held the stick with all her might and I just had to tell her to relax and fly it with her index finger.

Breathing off someone else’s regulator is not advised by any agency.

As mentioned earlier, an elementary course doesn’t require you to know anything. The instructor should teach you, otherwise why pay or take the cours.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

@Quicklynx

You have received a lot of great feedback. I believe in low-stress progression which I describe in a 3-part blog series on how I teach neutral buoyancy and trim in my open water courses:
Teaching Neutrally Buoyant and Trimmed - SDI | TDI | ERDI | PFI

Teaching Neutrally Buoyant and Trimmed: Pt2 - Mask, Snorkel & Fin Skills - SDI | TDI | ERDI | PFI

Teaching Neutrally Buoyant and Trimmed: How to weight properly, Part 3 - SDI | TDI | ERDI | PFI

I may suggest trying the mask/snorkel exercises on your own in a pool with your mask and snorkel. Leaking masks (due to improper fit, I recommending how to fit here: The mask test doesn’t work) and skills where the mask is removed all together are often stressful.

Stress is a major learning inhibitor, so my focus is to always reduce it (elimination isn't possible) to a "comfortable" level.

 

[Seaweed Doc]

Thanks for posting this: as others said, it shows that you are thoughtful and willing to work through issues.

In many ways, you're my favorite kind of student. I love seeing students overcome difficulties to become great divers.

That said, and I'm not sure you're one of them, some students really need one-on-one help. It makes a huge difference.

In a perfect world, you'd pay for a group lesson (cheaper than private lesson) and there'd be both an instructor and one or more divemasters. When a student in this setting struggles, the divemaster can focus on assisting them while the instructor works with other students. Done well, the struggling student will catch up to the rest of the class before they've gone too far.

From what you wrote, it sounds like there wasn't a divemaster present, just the one instructor?