Had 2 scary experiences: How to avoid in future?

[Web Monkey]

Re: the clearing and reverse block problem, you should probably talk to a doc and get started on something to clear up the congestion. There are a bunch of different things the doc will probably want to try.

Some divers use sudafed, although it's really not a great solution because it's short-acting and also raises your blood pressure and heart rate, which is something a lot of people shouldn't be doing (especially if you're already stressed out). There are other options that will clear you up without the side-effects.

The speed of your descents will improve once you get your congestion cleared up and get more experience, but in the mean time I'd suggest getting your own DM and maybe even your own boat in Cozumel. It's not too expensive and will transform your dive from "stressful and anxiety provoking" to "realxing and wonderful".

That way you can descend as slow as you need and not have to worry about the group.

You might also want to check into bigger tanks. A number of Cozumel ops will rent larger tanks for people that have high air-consumption rates. One last thing is that you and your buddy should keep an eye on your air (both of you watch both). This means that if one of you screws up, the other will catch it so nobody has to be "out of air".

Terry

 

[EvaL]

I'm sorry to hear about your experiences in Cozumel, one of my favorite dive spots. I concur with above poster that we really can't blame PADI OW course for the clearing issue, because all Cozumel dives (except cenotes) are drift dives, whereas most other dive destinations experience hardly any current. Drift diving is considered a more advanced specialty by PADI (the AOW has a drift diving specialty you might want to consider taking in the near future) and they do mention divers should descend together so as not to get separated. For this very reason, I won't recommend any beginner with clearing problems dive Coz. My feeling is you probably need more dives and practice (even trying descent in the local pool should help), practice clearing [try the different ways, from swallowing to the Valsavar (sp.?)] so you can get it done in seconds each time you feel the squeeze in your ears.
As for running out of air, most Coz DMs want divers to inform them when they reach 700 to 1000 psi (depending on how deep the dive is). On my previous trip, once the fastest breather gets to 700-1000psi, they inform the DM and start ascending to around 30ft and the DM should deploy his/her SMB while the diver ascends hanging on to the line so as not to get separated from the group. In retrospect, I guess you can work out the procedures about communication with the DM before the dive and monitor your gauge more closely and frequently, especially near the end of the dive. And for new divers, hiring a DM for just the 2 of you might be worth it, especially for the first few drift dives at Cozumel.
I hope this experience doesn't throw you off diving or from checking out Cozumel again. I am sure with more dives under your belt and if you continue working on clearing faster, you'll be a safer diver and enjoy drift diving.
Dive safely.

 

[Web Monkey]

Here’s my issue. I don’t feel like PADI properly trains you for handling currents, and this seemed to be a recurring problem for me on my last dive trip. When I dove in Belize, there was very little current. When I dove in Cozumel it was another story, and I felt out of control and unprepared.

First, this isn't a knock specifically against PADI (although they certainly deserve it).

OW classes have been "dumbed down" and homogenized over the past several decades so that now most of them only cover the barest minimum level of skills.

A typical OW class will get you diving in more-or-less reasonable safety in local waters (wherever you took your class), assuming nothing unexpected happens. It does not, however, prepare you for anyplace else, or for recognising most problems or heading them off before they occur.

Diving is pretty much the most wonderful experience on the planet, but if you plan on continuing, I would suggest taking more classes (esp. Navigation, Night/Low Viz and Diver Stress and Rescue) and doing as much diving as you can get in, wherever you can do it.

The best way to handle an emergency is to not have one, and gaining experience and taking good classes will help you to recognise and head off problems before they happen.

Terry

 

[redacted]

http://www.padi.com/english/common/courses/rec/continue/driftdiver.asp

Perhaps you should limit your diving to environments compatible with your training and comfort zone.

 

[alcina]

You sound like you would really benefit from hiring a private DM for you and your husband, at least for the first couple of dives. Then you don't have to worry about the group at all and your DM can be there to help you. Discuss your needs with the dive op you intend to go with...you have specific needs that you need to deal with in order to be comfortable in the diving conditions you are going to be in.

You can also check out the Drift Diving specialty or maybe the AOW - those should introduce you to the things you will need to know. Then more diving as it is the best way to improve.

Have fun!

 

[drbill]

None of the major OW certification agencies these days can prepare you for all situations you will encounter. They train you relative to the conditions in the region you are being certified. Additional training is often necessary through experience with more advanced divers or specialty certifications.

Heck, OW certs apparently don't even teach good buddy skills... and that's something ALL divers need to have in ALL dive conditions.

 

[fisherdvm]

First, this isn't a knock specifically against PADI (although they certainly deserve it).

Webby, you are too mean. SSI certainly will not teach drift diving skill any better than PADI... PADI deserve it just because they pumped out three times as many divers as SSI.

Bouyancy control is probably the main issue here. A beginning diver should not sink like a rock, and has to cling to a rope to clear his/her ear. Bouancy control should start right at the surface, within 5 ft of the surface. Then you should be able to swim freely, and keep up with the group, at the same time you are clearing your nose.

I am surprise that you had an anchor line to descend, as most places in Coz has no mooring line. Next time you are in cozumel, and you have no line, make sure you are swimming directly above your diving group.... If not, you can be a fatality as you ascend into the propeller of your own dive boat.

Just remember, the boat captain is not watching out for you, he is watching out for the large mass of air bubbles from the main group.

You need to shed the mentality of waiting till you hit bottom before you add air to your BC and correct buoyancy.

 

[bluewatertoy]

First of all, none of your problems were created by PADI, they were created by your lackof experience. Why does eveyone always blame someone else when you are a rookie and can't dive. Secondly I would like to know what anchor line you descended on in Coz and what site this was on. Thirdly both you and your husband-buddy ran out of air. Try a couple of shallow shore dives before getting on a boat again. Sounds like a Troll to me.
kelly

 

[fisherdvm]

First of all, none of your problems were created by PADI, they were created by your lackof experience. Why does eveyone always blame someone else when you are a rookie and can't dive. Secondly I would like to know what anchor line you descended on in Coz and what site this was on. Thirdly both you and your husband-buddy ran out of air. Try a couple of shallow shore dives before getting on a boat again. Sounds like a Troll to me.
kelly

It could be a troll, an anti-PADI troll.

No place in cozumel diving areas allow for anchor, nor mooring lines. Unless it is a beginner's dive off from the anchored boat at a resort to the snorkeling reef.

 

[bluewatertoy]

Glad I am not the only one who is calling BS with this poster Fisherdvm
Kelly