In class now and loving it!

[chrispete]

Just wanted to say "Hi!" - I'm glad that there's a place where newbies such as myself can ask questions of more experienced divers.

I just finished week #1 (one class, one confined water) of my OW cert and I have to say that I love the sport already! The instructor allowed us several times to "play" during the pool session, and that's when I knew that I felt completely at home underwater. I've been wanting to cert for 10+ years now, just never did it - wish I would have started sooner!

 

[Tavi]

Welcome to the boards from Rochester NY!

Keep us posted on your progress.

We have a lot of members on the boards from Texas. You should never have a problem finding someone to dive with!

 

[ckharlan66]

Glad to have you aboard. Enjoy your class and keep us posted on your progress.

Chad

 

[Dee]

Welcome to the Board! Congrats on your OW...we all wish we'd started sooner! Be warned, you WILL get addicted.

Where in Texas are you from? Be sure to check out the Texas section to find out what the Texas Swamp Diving Team (TSDT) is up to and feel free to join us anytime.

 

[chrispete]

I'm down here in Nederland - between Beaumont and Port Arthur.

 

[goosie]

HOORAY!!!:band2:

 

[dive2deep]

Diving is more addictive than crack... I too loved it before I ever stuck a reg in my mouth. But that first hit of compressed air in my lungs was the best, I was addicted already.

Since I started scuba I've lost everything.... I lost the ability to think about anything but scuba.... I have no money because I spend it all on scuba... All I talk about is scuba....

At fist I just did it every once in a while, then once a month, then I started to do it every weekend... well you get the picture.... before you know it, I was diving every day I had off from work....

I never thought I would get addicted... but it just happened... now if I don't dive for more than a week, I get really bad withdrawal. Sometimes, I get a tank filled and watch TV, while sucking on a regulator..... I NEED HELP....

Pleas don't end up like me.... There's no hope for the scuba addict once you cross that line .

Just kidding, I can controll myself.... I can..... really... I can stop whenever I want....... I don't do it all that often...... It's just for fun.... I dive socially..... I...... I......

Hi my name is Simon, and I'm a scuba addict..... (Hi Simon!!!)

 

[Kayla]

Welcome too the boards, and I'm glad you're enjoying diving. I'm just waiting to do my final OW dives, and then I'm certified! Keep it up, it's more addiciting then anything!


Kayla

 

[chrispete]

Well, I got to deal with my first problem underwater today (2nd pool session) - I've been bitten by the scuba bug so bad that I went out (after reading the boards of course for reviews on gear ut: ) and bought my BC and reg setup this weekend. Well, the hoses aren't in the same place on the first stage, and the primary reg sits in an odd place (hard to get it with a sweep, wants to fall back by the tank) - soooo, after I did my buddy octo breathing, I spit his octo out and grabbed for my primary - wasn't there, grabbed for the octo - was unclipped from him using it a little while before and was well behind me. I basically reached, got the octo, didn't want it and kept looking for my primary (I can hold my breath 1+ min easily, so I wasn't very worried. The AI on the other hand did get a bit worried and swam over, handing me his octo. I put it in my mouth (barely, half of one side was literally hanging out) and he dug up my primary. Problem solved, game on...

I was happy that I didn't panic (something I was worried about if I would have ever gotten into that position) and the AI said on the surface that I had kept a cool head and dealt with the situation as best I could (and that he had no idea how I pulled off breathing through a regulator in the wierd position that I had it in.)

Lessons learned:

Never drop the reg in your mouth until you have another, working reg in your hand (learned that here on the boards - but didn't apply it tonight (flogs self with a low pressure hose))

Always keep your buddy's attention during an emergency situation (mine had let loose of me and turned around after I gave him his octo back)

Don't panic about panic - let the training kick in and do what you've been told to do.

Know your equipment, inside and out - I would have never gotten into that position if I would have known where to reach for my reg at...

If you grab your own octo - use it while looking for your primary to avoid scaring up the instructors

 

[Kayla]

well it sounds like you kept a pretty level head on things.... I had the same problem, but in open water, and I panicked, because I can't hold my breath for very long.... but it all worked out, and I finish my OW in the next couple of weeks. see ya around!


Kayla