Future OW Student...What to practice ahead of time?

[geogator]

Thanks for the confidence boost everybody. I guess I've just come across one too many posts that make it sound like you should be named Cousteau & have 6 months of classroom training just to be able to put on the gear & go learn, even in a pool. Somebody even had a pretty harsh post on one thread saying something to the effect that you're signing your own death certificate if you take an OW class that's only 4 days long. (2 weekends) Sheesh.

Thanks for the book idea as well. That looks like something to definitely check into.

 

[Narced Out]

Nice man, I remember my OW class. I was 15 and i did the same things you did. I felt i needed to work on all of that stuff and it paid off. Good idea with diving with the future OW classes, thats exactly what i did.

That not only helped me meet new people, but i got to watch the mistakes others made and learn from them. Practicing and mastering those basic skills are essential and may save your life one day. Now that I am 16, i have been diving for just about a year now and I still dive with my instructor all the time with his classes.

After watching him teach so many classes, you start wanting to help others.

Anyways have fun man.

 

[k ellis]

Somebody even had a pretty harsh post on one thread saying something to the effect that you're signing your own death certificate if you take an OW class that's only 4 days long. (2 weekends) Sheesh.

You just have to over look some people. Thousands upon thousands of divers get certified the world over evey year and yet the accident rate for divers is extremely low compared to the number of divers out there.

If it were a death warrant as it was put then I assure you they would not be teaching the class in 4 days. If it were something that was going to end up in court constantly they would not do it.

Just relax study the material and it outlines most everything in there for you. You really have little to worry about because the washout rate for Open Water is very low and of those its usualy because during the course the diver decides for themself that diving is not for them.

Not to say that some instructors from time to time dont pass open water students its just the course is made to be as simple as possible and because of it the certification process acclaims a high certification rate.

 

[Johnny Mojo]

I by no means know everything and it sounds like you will be very well prepared. As others have said, relax and enjoy, but remember that once you get your OW, it's like a learners permit.

Have a great time!

J.