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On a bit of a selfish note, I suggest you first pursue your course (and maybe even your equipment) refund before you take this up with the training agency.
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Thanks everyone. I just would like my money back to go elsewhere. It was a really strange experience. I felt like I was failing.
How many open water students are/were in your class?I signed up last Wednesday the 6th and got my study materials and started my first class Saturday the 9th for my in class learning, after 4 hours in the classroom we went to the pool and did 1 hour with the gear.
Catalina is not pool like conditions so I fear this instructor broke the standards (PADI) or is pushing a very recent standards change to the limit.While diving he would ask me to get in and we had NOT gone over exits and entry's, using my BC, and I had 1 hours experience with the equemt in a 5ft deep pool.
How far away were you from the group?He was in charge of us all and told me to wait for him while he did skills checks on the others, so I was alone in the water bobbling from 25ft up and down trying not to fly up to the top.
That alone is enough to walk away. Yes you may lose some money, but I would find another instructor.I felt unsafe, and like he would be mad if I told him it was going to fast (as I tried and he screamed at me time and again to stop whining and relax). He also had me buy a mask, fin, booties, gloves, snorkel, and hood. He told me I had to buy from his store, but had nothing to fit me (I'm average size 5'4" and 120lbs). Also the equipment he rented to me didn't fit me ( I turned blue from how tight it was), and the BC was leaking the whole time and his student had to point it out.
YesQuestion #1. Was this too soon and too little pool experience?
Normal is you shouldn't have continuous pressure, meaning you shouldn't have to feel the discomfort throughout the dive. The 5 foot pool for an hour did you no favors.[Question #2. What is normal in terms of pressure on your ears? It was uncomfortable the whole time and I was trying to equalize pressure but never got there. Any tips?
Gaaawd I hope not, otherwise the majority of us have been doing it wrong. Just trying to lighten it up some.[Question #3 did the instructor act like this because this is how they are taught to speak and act?
At first I think all students have a little anxiety. Proper training can help alleviate some of it. If you had spent 14 hours, as an example, in the pool doing the various skills that you would be doing at Casino Point, do you think you would have had less anxiety?[Question #4. Is it normal to have a little anxiety at first underwater?
Whenever you make a comment "I felt unsafe" it is not good. One thing you need to do is file a report with their agencyQuestion #5. Is this good and I'm just anxious?
Even if this was an unproved feeling, you should find a new instructor just based on this fear. If there's proof to back it up, all the more reason. Report him if possible.Bailewantstoscuba:I also feel if I ask for my money back he would act out, I watched him cuss and scream all day, he wouldn't listen to any questions, he called it whining. Unless he bragged about himself he wasn't interested, no eggagerating here, he literally said asking about the vis, debth, BC, temp, was whining.