Horrible first post-cert dive

[Brian Sharpe]

I did my OW a couple of weeks ago and my wife was kind enough to allow me to drag my gear along on a road trip to the Maritimes.

I managed to find an experienced buddy here in PEI (PM me if you're looking for someone in this neck of the woods) who is eager enough to dive that he'll take out newbies like me. Sadly the conditions (wind & current) didn't permit diving in the two preferred spots so we decided to go for a quick dive at the Charlottetown yacht club. He warned me visibility wasn't going to be great but what I encountered was just about zero vis at 20 ft. It completely spooked me and after descending a couple of times I called the dive.

He was totally cool with it, no guilt trips or anything.

It was a blow to my confidence (& ego) but tells me I just need to get more time under the surface in more favourable conditions and, the good part, was I got to meet another fellow diver.

 

[jenlaur]

I did my first checkout dive in water with about 10' visibility and it freaked me out the same way yours did. I couldn't complete the dive until later in the day when I convinced myself I could do it. Since obtaining my OW cert I got nitrox and AOW certified and have had great diving experiences on almost every dive. I know it will not always be that way and I would not hesitate to call the dive if I am uncomfortable. Kudos to you for doing that.

 

[Randy43068]

Some dives will be like that. I'm glad you called it.

I've called dives just because I was too tired. I've called them just because..

Saying "I don't want to" is a good enough reason to call a dive.

Good job!!

 

[BKP]

You absolutely did the right thing to call the dive...

If your comfort level isn't 90% (I think a margin of 10% trepidation is a healthy way to keep you on your game, and keep you learning), then there's no excuse not to call it.

 

[spectrum]

You did fine Brian. Your confidence should not wane in fact it should be bolstered by your common sense. I'm happy to hear you were in the company of a true gentlemean buddy.

Early dives,night dives, first dives of the seasons and dives where you try new gear at times to be very selective about conditions.

Pete

 

[MasterFritts]

I am very new to this. Getting ready to start classes myself. I feel thou that diving is a lot like flying. I am also a private pilot and there has been many a times I have driven out to the airport and not flown or called it right after takeoff.

Any diver worth their weight will do the same. Just like flying, diving is nothing to mess around with. Never push yourself past your abilities.

I would say like pilots, divers will not give you a hard time for calling any dive and you should be proud that you called it and did not try to stick it out. That is an accident waiting to happen.

 

[Scott M]

You did the right thing. Never be afraid to call a dive if your uncomfortable. I have called dives and felt like I let the other divers down which is not the case at all. Visability can really spook a diver so your not alone on that. Don't be too hard on yourself most of us have all had similar things happen.

Regards

 

[trigfunctions]

Good call. What is there to see in zero vis anyway?

 

[ScubaSteve]

Limited visibility diving is not fun for most when they first encounter it. Experience will teach you how to deal with it (and that may well be calling a dive again). I find that when I find myself in those conditions, obviously stay very close to your buddy (as losing sight is not only dangerous but will escalate the trepidation) and stop.....float in the water column and just breathe normally. Keep a close eye on your buddy and your depth. Eventually your brain will come around and you will realize that you are just fine. And, no matter what, you always have the right to call the dive so that option is there if the dive does not begin to "feel right". As you know and as everybody has stated, you can always call the dive and feel NO GUILT.

Now I very much enjoy the dives where the visibility is very limited because it is different and a little exciting (I am not a maverick).

 

[Txfirefighter4305]

I agree with trigfunctions. Unless you have a reason to be there, whats to see in zero vis?