My first brush with scuba

[sandhay]

I am a bit unclear here. Do you think the swim problem was a pacing issue or a physical issue? I read it as a pacing issue Have you tried going to a pool and just swimming lengths as slow as you can to see how you go? Have you tried other strokes? I know I have never mastered the Freestyle couldn't go a full lap but I can go forever on the sidestroke and backstroke/breastroke. Honestly with my back inflate most of my surface swimming on scuba is nice leisurely on my back chatting with my dive buddies

Swimming normally, without mfs was a pacing issue, I think. With mfs I kept slowly sinking, until the snorkel was underwater, when I got a breath of water. That's not exactly a physical issue, but it is a lack of experience with a snorkel issue. (to wit, my first experience with the snorkel had me grabbing the mouthpiece with my front teeth -- I didn't realize the bite pads were where you were supposed to hold it, or even what they were) With more practice I feel I could do the mfs swim without trouble, but that would have held everyone in the class up while I figured it out. It could also be a poor technique issue, where I'm wasting too much energy on something I shouldn't be (with the normal swim). I do not feel that this is a physical fitness issue -- I made it through 10 minutes of treading water without reverting to floating.

When I try the swim portion again, I'm going to go with a non-crawl stroke. Probably side stroke.

 

[sandhay]

Just an update:

I went and did the private with a different instructor and it was a very different experience. It was a total of 4 hours, pool only, 2 hours on the first day were gear setup + all exercises, 2 hours on the 2nd day was "swim around" with no specific exercises from the instructor. That 2nd day helped a ton -- I'm actually excited about learning more now. (and I'm ok'd to do the open water bit of the cert)

That said, I need to work on equalizing my ears. I figured out a couple things: 1/ I don't have any trouble equalizing without a mask because I'm always breathing out (slowly) through my nose as I descend. Air in my sinus cavity pushing against the pressure of the water does wonders for equalizing my ears. I'm tempted to just descend without a mask on, but I wear contacts. 2/ holding myself in a partial yawn as I do the gently blow out thing can somewhat equalize, but sometimes I end up overpressurizing. Just blowing out through my nose alone doesn't work.

 

[Frosty]

sandyhay--I'd like to make you a lil bet.
I bet as you gain experience you will find equalising becomes easier. that's because being relaxed will make it easier.