Interesting Class Experiences...

[NSDiver]

Not too much in the way of questions here - just a few thoughts from a newbie who is in the midst of certification. A friend and I - both having meant to start diving years ago (we're both 21) finally got to class to start certification, spent a few hours in the classroom and all afternoon in the pool covering all the basics.

The funniest part of the day (for me at least) was probably when the dive shop was issuing us all gear for the pool, and I showed my instructor my JetFins that I wanted to use. The DM who was assisting said "ooh... this guy has some TURTLES" - and I said "oh, no, these are ScubaPro Jets." They looked at me like I was an idiot (I thought they were talking about the IDI Turtles, I guess they were actually referring to them being slow). My instructor proceeded to tell me that I'd have to work "three times harder" in the pool. Later, the DM lectured me on the merits of his Atomic splits (no doubt a great split-fin) - but when I swam with him he seemed to take about twice as many kicks to go the same distance as I. To each his own I guess - my buddy is looking at the Atomic fins.

The rest of the day was pretty fun - I've never done anything other than skin diving, so I couldn't believe how relaxing it was just to hang around underwater. I seemed to be down there forever and the needle on the SPG hardly moved.

So that's about it - have some more class and then some dives at Lake Rawlings next weekend. So far I'm loving it and I've hardly started - can't wait to do some real diving.

Anyone else have some stories from their certification days (better than mine I'm sure)?

 

[spectrum]

Welcome to the great adventure.

As for the fins I'm no fin expert but if they are paid for and work for you then get all you can out of them. It's what works for you that's important.

That skin-diving foundation will really pay off. You are accustomed to having your face in the water and sustained oral breathing. That combinded with comfort in the water largely account for what will probably be lower air consumption compared to peers with out the skin-diving experience. Be sure to keep it up. It's a great way to get wet when you can't find a buddy or other wise can't dive. I've been going out solo skin-diving to scout some scuba destinations.

Pete

Not too much in the way of questions here - just a few thoughts from a newbie who is in the midst of certification. A friend and I - both having meant to start diving years ago (we're both 21) finally got to class to start certification, spent a few hours in the classroom and all afternoon in the pool covering all the basics.

The funniest part of the day (for me at least) was probably when the dive shop was issuing us all gear for the pool, and I showed my instructor my JetFins that I wanted to use. The DM who was assisting said "ooh... this guy has some TURTLES" - and I said "oh, no, these are ScubaPro Jets." They looked at me like I was an idiot (I thought they were talking about the IDI Turtles, I guess they were actually referring to them being slow). My instructor proceeded to tell me that I'd have to work "three times harder" in the pool. Later, the DM lectured me on the merits of his Atomic splits (no doubt a great split-fin) - but when I swam with him he seemed to take about twice as many kicks to go the same distance as I. To each his own I guess - my buddy is looking at the Atomic fins.

The rest of the day was pretty fun - I've never done anything other than skin diving, so I couldn't believe how relaxing it was just to hang around underwater. I seemed to be down there forever and the needle on the SPG hardly moved.

So that's about it - have some more class and then some dives at Lake Rawlings next weekend. So far I'm loving it and I've hardly started - can't wait to do some real diving.

Anyone else have some stories from their certification days (better than mine I'm sure)?

 

[Firebrand]

When I did my OW Cert pool session, we were practicing breathing underwater without a mask on, and my instructor said, "No matter what happens, don't come up for air. Continue to breathe on your regulator." Being that I'm military, to me, that meant he was going to mess with us to make sure we could continue to function without a mask. Someone was pulling on my fins, someone was bumping my wrist, and my instructor was grabbing at my maks, and tapping me on the top of my head. He finally clicked his tank-banger (the signal to surface) and when he came up, he got a good laugh, stating that my years of military training made me follow orders and nothing more. He wanted me to put my mask on and clear it, but because other people were "messing" with me, I didn't get the message, so I had to go back under without a mask on and put it on and clear it and come right back up.

 

[TSandM]

I have the multitude of amusing, and not so amusing, experiences of my certification class written up as a blog. Probably the high point was losing my instructor in bad viz and current on my third OW checkout dive. Or maybe that was the low point . . .

 

[kidspot]

Hmm - I think that of all the instructors and DM's I've been around about 1/2 have worn Jets ... and this is in resort country. The others have all been a mix of quattros, force fins and other assorted paddle fins ... I have only seen 1 instructor in Splits ... and he was a board member visiting from the mainland - we teased each other about fins the whole time I think ... and still had a lot of fun diving together - Do you have a picture of those yellow splits Al?

Aloha, Tim