I couldn't do it.

[o2 clean]

I started my Openwater Class last Monday with PADI, and it's a two week course. The classes have been going great, and my knowledge of this "sport" has grown a lot.

Today was my first confined pool dive, and I didn't do so well. Actually, they sent me home due to "freaking" too much. I don't know about most of you, but I know that the first time you're underwater breathing off the regulator, it's quite a shocking experience. I thought I was mentally prepaired for this, but obviously, I wasn't.

I will continue with my class and take my final on Monday, and will make up my water exercises at the end of this month so I can dive during my trip next month.

What tips can you help me out with, so I won't panic too much? It's not like I was freaking out underwater, but due to an exercise I couldn't accomplish first being there, it made me unsure if I could accomplish the other tasks, which made me feel uneasy.

 

[The Chairman]

Scuba Bee,

Stop, breathe, breathe some more, now breathe some more. There is nothing "natural" about breathing under water. Practice exhaling COMPLETELY to help you get in the right pattern for breathing underwater. Drink lots of water, and eat good food before the session. I am confident you will get over your "jitters". EVERYONE has them to one degree or another, though not all would admit to it!

 

[Fishkiller]

with

"Stop, breathe, breathe some more, now breathe some more."

but not with

"There is nothing "natural" about breathing under water. "

Just remember we spent the first nine months breathing liquid it just takes the body a while to remember....


Hang in there and you'll be addicted just like us all

 

[Dee]

Breathing underwater comes differently to all of us. Some are extremely comfortable and some aren't.

Here's something for you to try that helps with breathing underwater. I'll assume (we know what that gets us!) you've been taught to clear your mask.

First, just stand in the shallow water and breath off your regulator. Concentrate on taking even breaths in and out. No one is used to breathing through their mouth so this will get you used to that. Now, with your regulator in your mouth, just bend over and put your face in the water and breath through your mouth. If you feel anxious, simply straighten up. Continue to do this until you are comfortable then drop to your knees in the shallow water and do it.

There are also shallow water techniques to get you used to your mask flooding and water in your face. If you're having trouble with those skills as well, your Instructor should be able to help you. If not, we'll try!

 

[DaveyDiver]

Bee,

The posters so far are right on the money. Breathe, relax, and remember that it's supposed to be fun....That first couple of breaths through the reg is something totally new, but once you get it, don't smile too wide or the water will leak in at the corners of your mouth.

I don't know if all divers experience anxiety but I know I have. My OW course was great, I couldn't relate to other divers that were stressing about it. My Advanced course was the same....right to the point where I tried my first deep dive. A bad decision regarding equipment contributed to a major panic attack at 65 feet. An excellent instructor calmed me down and even though I chose to abort the dive, the ascent back into the morning sun was a great experience. I spent the rest of the day in a lawn chair: sleeping, being disappointed in myself, and analyzing the mistakes.

The result? I was in the water the next morning with familiar gear, a good dive buddy and a great instructor. We hit our target depth, performed our timed task, high fived, and had a blast.

The lesson? Learn it one step at a time, overcome the difficulties one at a time, trust yourself....and dive, dive, dive.

Hang in there, we'll see you at the beach!

 

[o2 clean]

Originally posted by Dee
First, just stand in the shallow water and breath off your regulator. Concentrate on taking even breaths in and out. No one is used to breathing through their mouth so this will get you used to that. Now, with your regulator in your mouth, just bend over and put your face in the water and breath through your mouth. If you feel anxious, simply straighten up. Continue to do this until you are comfortable then drop to your knees in the shallow water and do it.

Thanks Dee (and everyone else) for your helpful information! As for the task above, will I be able to work on this without disturbing the class? Due to my sad experience today, my instructor couldn't assist me any further because he couldn't "hold back the class" just to help me.

 

[raxafarian]

It might be worth the extra money for a private lesson. I think you can get the hang of it, but I understand how you can feel rushed in the class... and your instructor does have a point about holding up the class.... he/she has to give you a certain amount of time to try each exercise, but at some point has to decide to move on.

Might take some pressure off you to go one on one in a private lesson.


another idea... fill your bathtub... dunk under and breath off your snorkel for a while. you might have to take the snorkel off the mask strap to position it out of the water... or if you have access to a swimming pool sit on one of the steps or in the shallow... have somebody (you trust) hold you under in a sitting position while you breath off the snorkel. I had to do this for a couple of nights while my wife worked on clearing her mask.

Ken

 

[Welshman]

Scuba Bee

All the advice above is right on the money. Particularly the advice about the private lessons. My wife had exactly the difficulties you've described. One to one lessons were the answer because she could take everything at her own pace without feeling flustered about holding others back. Obviously you need the right instructor - one with patience - otherwise there's no advantage.

Regards

 

[brizzolatti]

Hey, Scuba Bee. I can sympathise with what you're saying. When I was doing my course, first time I went under in the shallow end (like at only 3 feet and on my knees) I felt anxious. No matter that I knew all I had to do was lift my head 3 inches and I'd be able to breathe normally! And no matter that I love water and am a competent swimmer (including underwater). And during that first time there was a moment when I could have chucked it all. BUT ...... I just kept trying to remind myself that there was no danger, that the surface was only ever a few feet away, that even if the air ran out I could get there really quickly. So with that in mind, I just sat out the panic type feelings. Easier said than done, I know. BUt if you stop and think about what you're worried about, then rationalise all the things that are in place for your safety, you realise that you're in control.

And it doesn't take long for the weird feeling of breathing underwater to feel pretty natural. And in fact, part of what I love so much now about diving is the relaxation of the breathing. I think it's something to do with hearing it underwater and concentrating on it - it's almost like meditation. But with great views!

I know this isn't practical advice but it's more for your morale. If you want it, stick with it. Let us know how it goes

 

[The Chairman]

You are obviaously determined about this (which is GREAT), so don't let them try and feed you the line that SCUBA is not for everyone! It appears to me that your desire will conquer most any obstacle that might be in your way.

De is spot on! If the problem is mask/breathing related, then learn how to breathe sans mask first. Or take a lesson from one of my classes, and learn to breathe with your mask on, while it is full of water! That's right, fill your mask completely and put it on (you might have to dip down in the water to do this). Stand up with your mask on and full of water and breathe till you are comfortable. And hey... you don't have to wait for the SCUBA class to try this!!! Do it at a pool, or do it in your bathtub. This will train you to not try and breathe through your nose as well! When you have breathing just through your mouth down, stick in your snorkle until you get that down too! Needless to say, you might draw some questioning looks. Just tell them you are getting ready for reverse SCUBA. :tease:

One last thing... learn to exhale completely!!! Completely empty your lungs, and then fill them slowly. You won't have to do that for long 'till your body figures out how to calm itself. This will eliminate any hyperventilation and greatly reduce the stress you feel while trying to breathe in an alien environment!