My First Underwater Photo, and my Deep Dive for AOW cert

[BluOrchid2]

I did not like the Deep dive. DH and I did our AOW dives this weekend at Beaver Lake, AR and 65 feet was COLD - we passed through TWO thermoclines, DARK - I was paired up with an instructor who was about 1.5 feet away (at depth) from my face and I could barely see him. Plus, and I don't know whether this was because of the darkness and subsequent disorientation, or because of the depth, but I got very dizzy. I felt like I was drunk, I was THAT dizzy. Really bad conditions......our line went down 65-70 feet or so, and for the last 5-10 feet, it went through a tree that was at the bottom of the lake. When we came to the tree branches, I thought that would be where we stopped, but we were only at 60 feet, so we had to navigate THROUGH the branches of this creepy tree a few more feet. That's when I started getting dizzy. And for some odd reason, it seemed to me that I had wetness in my mouth, like somehow water was leaking in around my regulator or something. I think now that that was also a symptom of being "narked"...that it was just in my head. I know that people do crazy things when they're narked, so I don't think it would be too unlikely that I would be imagining that I had water in my mouth. So just REALLY uncomfortable all the way around at that depth in a freshwater lake.

Finally, my instructor signaled that we could start going back up, but I found myself caught on something and I couldn't move. My mask was fogged up and I couldn't see all that well (and I wasn't ABOUT to let go of John's arm to clear it!), aside from it being very dark, so I couldn't immediately see what was caught. Turned out to be my retractor line that my dive computer and compass are on. I tried to pull it free, but couldn't. Keep in mind I was dizzy, I was cold, it was dark, and here I am 65 feet down in the lake tangled up on a tree branch. My instructor was slightly above me, and thankfully he saw the top of my head looking down as I was trying to pull free from the entanglement, and came down to help me. I was congratulated for not panicking, and actually I wasn't panicked, but later on, several hours later, it was really bothering me, on my mind. I got very emotional when I thanked him for being there for me, and for being so sweet about it.

Anyway, I just wanted to add that even though I am now an "Advanced Open Water Diver," in NO WAY do I feel "Advanced." I have fewer than 20 dives logged. I know that it's practice, practice, practice, - experience - that makes you an accomplished diver, not reviewing a few chapters in a book and doing some "psuedo, failproof tasks" on a handful of dives that makes you an "Advanced" Diver. I still need practice mastering buoyancy, dive posture, and proper weighting, and until I get those things down I will continue to feel like a novice, even though I am certified as an AOW Diver.

Oh, and here's my photo!

 

[scubatexastony]

was the photo taken during the "deep" dive? If so, and as you noted, the water was cold, then colder, not wearing a hood could have caused the dizzyness. My ears ache and I get a bit lightheaded on cold water dips (like bouncing to check the bottom of the lake) when I don't have on a hood.

tony

ps. I applaud your plans to practice and learn! :luxhello:

 

[BluOrchid2]

Hi Tony, no the photo was taken actually during our Wreck Dive at about 30 feet. We did wear hoods during the deep dive, thank goodness!

 

[Quarrior]

Congrats and the AOW. Like you said, practice practice and more practice. Or, the way I look at it, dive dive dive, which equals fun fun fun.

 

[Xanthro]

If it was that dark, you should have had lights, no matter the time of day. Plus, it would have helped if everyone had tank lights on. It helps you keep a reference on everyone.


People get dizzy and disorientated in darkness, it's major major issue in night diving. I wouldn't worry about it too much, it was dark, cold, no lights, there a TREE down there. I wouldn't want to descend around a tree under great conditions, much less dark and cold.

Congrats on the AOW.

Xanthro

 

[String]

Theres a difference between "dark" and "low visibility". Its quite possible to have a near total darkness dive that has good visibility when illuminated with a torch - im amazed nobody was so equipped on the dive.

As for the narcosis issue - i seriously doubt it was especially at that severeity at those relatively shallow depths. Normally it starts to be noticable near 100 or so. Although not unheard of you'd be the far side of the standard curve to be suffering from that depth.

The dizziness could be more to do with the cold and darkness causing you to breathe more heavily and possibly hyperventillate or maybe even CO2 retention. That seems more likely to me.

A tip that maybe of use for a fogging mask (if toothpaste washing doesnt cure it). Keep a small amount of water in it so if it fogs just swirl your head and the water will move around and clear it.

 

[^*^BATMAN^*^]

congrats, and the fog issue, buy sea drops. they work great.