Gaining Experience/Confidence...

[ChameleonAmy]

I'm a new diver (7 dives--all on a certification trip), excited about getting in the water again ASAP... I'm a bit concerned about my lack of experience. Having only dove with the instructor nearly always within eyesight, I'm nervous about making the transition from student diver to independent, competant diver. By the end of our diving, I felt comfortable with getting into the water and making my way around, especially in shallow water...Things like navigation, deep diving without the instructor, dealing with poor vis, etc. still bother me. I know that more experience will breed confidence and competance, but does anyone have any ideas about the best (or worst!) ways to gain that experience? Thanks- :14:

 

[TSandM]

I felt just the same way. I did a couple of things . . . The LDS through which I got certified had an e-group, and I wrote a note to it asking for experienced divers who would be willing to escort a newbie. I got a couple of nice replies, and made my first "non-instructed" dive with one of those people.

Then I showed up for a Scubaboard-related local dive, and met NW Grateful Diver, and it's been all downhill from there

Seriously, the web gives you a lot of options. There are undoubtedly local dive clubs, and you can find out who they are and join, and that will give you a group where you can look for experienced buddies who can do a little hand-holding at the beginning. And Scubaboard, particularly the local sub-forums, is a great resource, too.

 

[bradshsi]

does anyone have any ideas about the best (or worst!) ways to gain that experience? Thanks- :14:

Find a good diving buddy (or buddies) that you can trust
Join a local dive club
Read Scubaboard
And of course go diving...

All I can say is it's worked for me so far. But I'm only a few dives ahead of you.

Good luck

 

[Jason Ooi]

Hi Chaneleon,

First look for good buddy same level as you, join diving trip fun dive, get some good information from dive leader or experience divers.
Dive more learn more.....

Cheer
Jason

 

[laurelgsc]

I am so in the same boat as you . I did my 9 dives with the instructor down in the keys over Thanksgiving. I felt very comfortable with the instructor right there. I am now going on a short trip to the Fl. Springs in Feb. with my LDS. I am hoping to gain some more confidence and practice all those cool skills I learned. I am hoping to do some local dives this spring and summer. Hopefully someone locally will be willing to adopt two newbie dives (my boyfriend is getting certified in Feb) Lake Lanier Looney Birds HELP! Our plan is to go on a Blackbeard Liveaboard in August and dive like crazy.

 

[David P]

also... talk to your instructor and ask when the next time he's taking a class out, maybe you can tag along with him and the rest of the shop... I just went out saturday with a new LDS, it was their/our (helping out part time) first full boat charter. There were 10 of us on the boat and one guy in particular only had 7(?) dives all of wich were walk in beach entries during his check out dives over a year ago. He was a bit nervous about making a boat dive and yadda yadda yadda. Everyone on the boat was very friendly and helped the guy. Most all divers remember what it is like to be new and will go out of their way to help you. So don't be ashamed to ask for some assistance.

 

[spectrum]

Find a buddy with similar skills or a mentor. And start wirh nice conservatice shore dives. No risky expense of boat trips and the pressure to get your money's worth. Make sure it's a day with nice conditions and get in the water. A site that gives you 15-20 feet is all you need to have a real nice time, build condfidence and convince yourself that you are a diver. The first few dives will be a blurs as you focus on different things since little is automatic yet. Stay with the basics and go from there.

If you can be out with a larger group like a shop dive that's good as well. Just don't get caught up in a grand follow the leader dive. Be in a place where you feel capable and in charge, this needs to be your dive.

The point is to stay in your comfort zone, keep it simple and to dive. My wife and I did out first post cert dive together in a local pond we knew well from skin-diving there. We ventured down a bit to depths that had been just out of reach for breath-hold diving and it was quite a learning experience but despite a few sloppy moments our training was there and we were on our way.

Have fun,
Pete

 

[PaulChristenson]

I'm a new diver (7 dives--all on a certification trip), excited about getting in the water again ASAP... I'm a bit concerned about my lack of experience. Having only dove with the instructor nearly always within eyesight, I'm nervous about making the transition from student diver to independent, competant diver. By the end of our diving, I felt comfortable with getting into the water and making my way around, especially in shallow water...Things like navigation, deep diving without the instructor, dealing with poor vis, etc. still bother me. I know that more experience will breed confidence and competance, but does anyone have any ideas about the best (or worst!) ways to gain that experience? Thanks- :14:

You can continue to take some other classes...like AOW, Night,Underwater Nav,Deep,Search&Recovery,Rescue...

And each of those classes will build your confidence levels...


Paul in VT

 

[jjwdiver]

As much as people will criticize it...pool dives will help. It gives you a chance to PLAY, try new things, experiment with tank positions, vary the weights, etc. Any LDS worth its weight will offer pool practice sessions. Get you own gear or rent, but get in the water and practice.

Every diver should think of themselves as still learning. I've been with some that had over 500 dives and they SUCKED. Used alot of air, waved their arms like they were speed swimming, terrible buoyancy, no regard for the corals or the crappy gear they were dragging through the corals. One the other hand, dragging the newest most expensive gear through the muck on local lake dives, kicking up silt, smacking things with their fins, etc... Didn't even give half a glace to see where their buddy was, nor did they care.

Like the posts above and more to follow suggest...get with a group here on the boards and especially locally where you are. Go diving. Keep learning and become someone others want to dive with...don't become "that" kind of diver.

 

[creamofwheat]

I am only at 14 dives myself, but my confidence now is much greater than it was on my first dives after certification. Basically, i found someone here on scuba board and he showed me around on my first couple dives. i am also a member of a dive club and have gone on a couple club dives with more experienced people. seriously...just dive more. the more you dive, the more comfortable you will get. promise!