Had my first OW class today

[SeaGurl]

All I can say is WOW!
Well maybe I can say a few more things.
I have some fears. Everytime we have to take the reg out while underwater to do a skill I freak out a little. I keep wanting to hold my breath. I assume this will get better over time and practice.
The whole mask off breathing through the reg only was very difficult, but after pinching my nose a couple of times, letting go, and concentrating really hard on NOT breathing through my nose as well as my mouth I got through it.

Also is it normal to burp a lot?!

I also found out my husband is an air hog which is a slight bummer.

 

[Jcsgt]

Good job on getting through your first OW class. Yes, it does get easier the more you do it.

As for the burping, how much water did you take in during your class? That always does it for me.

 

[Floridawannabe]

I can not believe you called your husband a HOG He will get better as time passes. I am glad both of you did your certification together, one of these days my better half will get certified. Hope you have a great time and enjoy SB.

 

[divingjd]

Everything you are describing is normal, from the anxiety about removing your reg to burping and the air-hog husband. As far as the regulator and mask exercises go, the more you do it, the more comfortable you will get. It's OK to be a little nervous, as long as you can keep things under control. It's hard for some people and easy for others. Just worry about yourself. I always burp when I'm diving. OK, I burp other times too, but diving definitely seems to cause it. For lots of reasons, women are generally better on air than men. Whenever we have couples in class, I always tell the women that their male dive buddies are always going to be the limiting factor on their dives. No doubt your husband will get better, but it is very likely your air consumption will always be better. Mine is a little better than my wife's, but she is a relatively new diver. Once she gets more comfortable, her air consumption will probably be better than mine.

 

[spectrum]

You're on track, just work through the sessions. Now that you have a frame of reference visualize yourself doing ther skills. This will make them seem more natural next trip to the pool.

Go easy on hubby, everyone adapts in their own way. If he's a bigger person there is more life there to sutstain and that means air. All in all air consumption during your pool sessions is irrelevant.

Pete

 

[SeaGurl]

Ok I will go easy on the hubby for his air consumption. He is quite chivalrous in helping me lug my tank to the car. If he can forgive my poor upper body strength, I can certainly forgive his lung capacity.

 

[Thijsie]

I've also just had my first 3 lessons, and my main problems were the full mask flooding and removal, but I'll try the tips listed here!
I'll be having my first two OW checkout dives next week Saturday, and the water's currently 15C, and the prediction is 9C for that day, meaning there'll be a whole lot of extra insulation present. The instructors said it would probably be a 7/14 mm :icon10:

 

[spectrum]

Be sure to practice those masks skills. For many it's as much mind over matter as anything else. You can learn a lot in the bathtub!

You have water that can drop 6 degrees C in the northern hemisphere in the spring? You should be fine in well fitting 7/14.

Have you been doing pool skills in hoods and gloves?

Have great dives and be sure to check in.

Pete

I've also just had my first 3 lessons, and my main problems were the full mask flooding and removal, but I'll try the tips listed here!
I'll be having my first two OW checkout dives next week Saturday, and the water's currently 15C, and the prediction is 9C for that day, meaning there'll be a whole lot of extra insulation present. The instructors said it would probably be a 7/14 mm :icon10:

 

[jonix]

great start SeaGurl and Thijsie. just relax on the mask skills...everyone of us experienced the same during ow class. you'll get the hang of it in no time.

and seagurl layoff a bit on the hog errr husband hehehehe

 

[Thijsie]

Yeah, I might be a slight hog too, or atleast I was during my second lesson... I got the tank down to 15 bar. I believe it was a Steel 80, though my tank recognition skills should still be categorised as "Novice".

Have you been doing pool skills in hoods and gloves?
Pete

No I haven't. It was a 2 mil shorty.
I've Aced all my quizzes so far (10 out of 10 every time!), so I'm feeling confident!
Thanks for the comforting words!

Oooh, I hijacked a thread...