New and not doing well

[Seraphimx]

The CMAS class you have to make 1/2 the class in Snorkel, afterwards you start with tanks. Does PADI follow the same technique? If it is, wouldnt the teacher be rushing the person to complete her snorkeling class too fast? Just a question like that.

 

[ItsBruce]

Anna:

If I am being redundant, I apologize ...

Consider that when you just go swimming, you go into the pool without a mask and put your head under water. I'd guess you don't have any trouble with this. If I'm right, try going into the pool on scuba, but without a mask, just like if you were going swimming. To start with, hold your nose so that you don't inhale through your nose by mistake. Breath through your regulator. After a minute or so, release your nose. Concentrate on breathing only through your regulator. Be ready to pinch your nose if you feel water intruding. Then try inhaling through your mouth and exhaling through your nose. It should be mostly like non-scuba swimming. You should become comfortable inhaling through your mouth and exhaling through your nose without a mask in just a few minutes. After that, you will find that clearing a mask is no big deal. At worst, it will be filled with water and will be like not having a mask. Then it is just a matter of letting the water drain from the mask. It will do this if you hold the top and just exhale through your nose.

 

[StraitsdiverGeo]

AnnaL
Time and a new skill walk hand in hand, It will just take time. Relax and do your best.
Instructors need your feed back as well, keep after him and if you fell that your still not getting anywhere, maybe it's time for a new instructor.
"People are like shoes, you try'em on and some times they fit and sometimes they don't."
But never quit!
you'll get there Girl

Regards, George

 

[hopeitsapar]

If you are having difficulty clearing it, try no mask breathing first, it will help with breath control, and getting used to not having the mask on for removing the mask on the check dives.

Additionally, I always hate to have H2O in my mask, and this really helped me... also when flooding your mask let the H2O in from the top that way you do not have the rush of water going up your nose.

 

[ScubaSista]

HI Anna!

I haven't read the pages of reply posts you've received, but here are my two cents:

Start with an instructor you feel more comfy with - someone with more empathy. Then, be patient with yourself. Despite what your instructor said, mask skills are often the most challenging for new divers. Take your time and do it. I promise it will all be worth it!

I still remember my first instructor tapping my nose as I continuously blew through my mouth in an effort to clear my mask - ha!

 

[Deadweight]

Seraphminx's post : seconded.
Get into the shallow end of the pool with your mask and practice the skill and develop your confidence. Remember when you first learned to ride a bike or drive a car?

 

[Stoo]

Damn, I wish I could see what you're doing Anna! Lot's of people have difficulty with this basic and very necessary skill... so don't give up. If you don't feel the Instructor is helping you, perhaps one of his Assistants or even another student can help a bit. Sometimes a fresh set of eyes can do wonders....

In my experience, people having problems with this are either (a) not tipping their heads back far enough, or (b) are lifting the bottom edge of their mask off of their face, allowing water to come back in after they stop exhaling. Regardless, get used to breathing with your mask off too... It's all about developing a degree of comfort that no matter what happens, you have done it all before!

Diving can change your life. Keep at it! :10:

 

[tiggrr]

Anna,

I had all sorts of problems with mask clearing and taking off my mask when I first started. It didn't help that my first instructor sucked. After time and lots of practice, its not hard anymore.

Anyhoo, I don't have any advice for you because all of the advice already given is so on point.

I just wanted to let you know 1 more person is rooting for you!

 

[MikeFerrara]

I'm just going to give one extra vote for Walter's suggestions and add that you should pass them on to your instructor.

The only addition is that once mastered you won't even have to look up very far...looking up too far is counter productive and you may need to be looking at what you may have to be doing as masks always flood at the wrong times on a real dive.

 

[Sting J]

As an instructor I can say that it is not uncommon for people to have sticking points in the training. This is common in the learning of physical skills. This skill just has to be mastered, and it is an important one. Just think how well you will know how to do it when you finally succeed because it did not come easy.
You took the book learning seriously, and you are coming to dive peers for advice. You also toughed it out in the water when you where getting cold. Sounds like you want to do this diving thing. You must be in the right place. Learning individul skills takes as long as it takes. That is all there is to it.
Sometimes it is hard for an instructor to see what exactly you are not doing right, or to express directions/demonstrations in the magic way that clicks for you. He/she can not see inside your sinus cavity very easily if that is indeed the problem. It is likely that your instructor is getting a little frustrated too but with the problem itself not you personally.
My question is does the instructor demean you for this or encourage you to keep trying? I feel that positive reinforcement usually works better all around.
Without seeing you in action it is hard for anyone on the board to give you the exact direction that will resolve this issue.
I suspect the sinus problems played a role, and the added stress and frustration of not performing perfectly in what you percieve is a reasonable amount of time... First off it is okay and it does not directly represent how good of a diver you will be at the end of class. A reasonable amount of time is the amount of time it takes.
There were many good suggestions on this thread. I recommend you let your sinis problem clear up, read some of these posts, discuss your apprehensions and difficulty with your instructor, and above all relax. Do this before you get back in confined water if that is possible. If that does not work ask the diveshop if they can have another instructor that can help you out. We call that team teaching. Usually team teaching happens due to scheduling problems but if necessary it can be done otherwise.
I suspect your instructor really wants to help you succeed.
Don't give up. Look at all the divers on the board cheering you on. Diving is a great sport that will let you experience things not everyone does. Barring any medical issues, I think you will be a diver soon.
We (divers) are generally a good bunch, and most of us remember what it was like being in your fins taking class. Once you are certified, you will find on your dives that many divers are more than happy to give you tips when you ask for them.
Good luck

P.S.
If you have any questions about training/diving that you may be anxious/uncomfortable about asking the board, your instructor, or dive shop you can send me a private message, and I will do my best to help