IndigoBlue
Contributor
Yet another good reason to switch over to a dry suit!svidlano:
Hardest thing to do?
- Thread starter Sea Turtle
- Start date
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A lot for students experience mask clearing problems.
For others it's learning to use dive tables.
Ron
For others it's learning to use dive tables.
Ron
armyscuba
Contributor
One of the Major issues I see with new Diver's is not so much the ability to pass certification. It's actually coming up with money to get certified or being able to buy equipment.
I can only suggest to stick with it, don't think You have to outfit Yourself with everything all at once. It can break the bank of the largest spender in an hour or so at the local Dive Shop
I can only suggest to stick with it, don't think You have to outfit Yourself with everything all at once. It can break the bank of the largest spender in an hour or so at the local Dive Shop
the harest for me was the padi 10min float at surface
will tell you this the instructor is the main thing ,I was lucky had 2 that were first rate meaning took there time explained everything you could tell they realy enjoyed there job . saw some friends use an instructor that was realy sloppy forgot some of the things when the vis was bad rushed things to get out of water . do it scuba is like no other thing wish I had done it years ago
will tell you this the instructor is the main thing ,I was lucky had 2 that were first rate meaning took there time explained everything you could tell they realy enjoyed there job . saw some friends use an instructor that was realy sloppy forgot some of the things when the vis was bad rushed things to get out of water . do it scuba is like no other thing wish I had done it years ago
The hardest part is finding a good instructor. They are rare and you don't know what questions to ask. If you're interested in making it easy, do a search or send me a PM. I have a list of questions that will help you find the best available instructor.
Sideband
Guest
For me, the hardest is mask clearing. As soon as my nose gets wet I start to panic . For some reason I have trouble breathing through my reg. unless my nose is dry. If I pinch my nose I seem to be fairly ok but if water gets in my nose I find it VERY hard to mouth breath. I know that with practice I will get better but the main problem is it's hard to practice something that makes you panic. Slow and steady....
I have been through all of my classes and taken my written tests. To get more practice time in I have been assisting with new classes each weekend which has been really cool. It is like free classes except I have to demonstrate a skill now and then and help out a bit more. I have almost every other skill "mastered", meaning I am comfortable doing them, because of the extra time in the water. Now, if I can only get this one down I will be grateful. My OW dives are scheduled for the first weekend of June so I have a few more times to get in the pool to work on it.
I was a bit upset that our instructor TOTALLY skipped over the skill of cutting the bad guys air hose with your dive knife while taking his mask away. I am assuming that skill will be covered in the Advanced OW course.
I have been through all of my classes and taken my written tests. To get more practice time in I have been assisting with new classes each weekend which has been really cool. It is like free classes except I have to demonstrate a skill now and then and help out a bit more. I have almost every other skill "mastered", meaning I am comfortable doing them, because of the extra time in the water. Now, if I can only get this one down I will be grateful. My OW dives are scheduled for the first weekend of June so I have a few more times to get in the pool to work on it.
I was a bit upset that our instructor TOTALLY skipped over the skill of cutting the bad guys air hose with your dive knife while taking his mask away. I am assuming that skill will be covered in the Advanced OW course.
Wristshot
Contributor
The hardest thing for ME was getting used to breathing normally underwater. Easy to say, a lot harder to do. We KNOW that we are supposed to breathe normally, but it goes against every instinct hardwired into us.
Mask clearing was never difficult for me and my buddy, but some gals in our OW class freaked out every time they got water into their masks. They immediately took "the up elevator" to the surface. Of course, that is not a big problem at 7 feet in a pool, but you need to get that out of the students before you hit 30+ feet in the ocean.
Some people just react differently when water gets in the mask. Walter (I think it was him) posted a GREAT dissertation on SB about getting comfortable with face in water, and water in mask and clearing the mask. If you (or anyone you know) has trouble with taht, search for the threads about that.
The hardest phyisical task for ME was the "doff and don" the gear in the pool and in the ocean. It was just awkward with all that weight (34 lbs as I recall) because we use two-piece 7mm wetsuits here.
The physical test to qualify was a little hard, partly because I am not very bouyant. (My buddy floated and almost fell asleep during the "test") Two guys failed the swim and tread water tests.
Just my opinions, for what little they are worth.
Wristshot
Mask clearing was never difficult for me and my buddy, but some gals in our OW class freaked out every time they got water into their masks. They immediately took "the up elevator" to the surface. Of course, that is not a big problem at 7 feet in a pool, but you need to get that out of the students before you hit 30+ feet in the ocean.
Some people just react differently when water gets in the mask. Walter (I think it was him) posted a GREAT dissertation on SB about getting comfortable with face in water, and water in mask and clearing the mask. If you (or anyone you know) has trouble with taht, search for the threads about that.
The hardest phyisical task for ME was the "doff and don" the gear in the pool and in the ocean. It was just awkward with all that weight (34 lbs as I recall) because we use two-piece 7mm wetsuits here.
The physical test to qualify was a little hard, partly because I am not very bouyant. (My buddy floated and almost fell asleep during the "test") Two guys failed the swim and tread water tests.
Just my opinions, for what little they are worth.
Wristshot
galscuba
Contributor
glbirch:
I had the same problem. I could clear the mask fairly well, but when taking the mask completely off, the first thing I wanted to do was breathe through my nose. Just remember, you CAN cough in the regulator, if needed. I learned that yesterday during my OWD class! I am certified and if I can do it, anyone can!
revy69
Guest
I have just completed my OW and the hardest thing I found was probably the fin pivot to maintain neutral boyancy - I still dont think I have mastered that! Also in the UK it is cold when you do the Open water dives - doing the mask removal and replace and clear was horrible! Luckily we were allowed to do this at 3m so we could shoot straight to the surface when we has accompolished it - toooooo cooold! Good luck!
scubaranger
Contributor
the hardest thing for me was my instructor had us doing pushups,situps and caring a zodiac over are heads O sorry just had a flash back.I"M JUST KIDDING. no mine was boyancy. I'm so positive bouyant that i need an anchor to take me down so to figure out the weight was my initial problem. now I"M going to see if I can cut back a pound or two. have fun and be safe
alex t.
alex t.
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