New, scared but determined

[donaldlam]

Yes I am new, but I am determined to get this done, am very scared I will fail though as the pressure is too high. all my soon to be in-laws are experts in diving and I just want to fit in somehow, yet I am scared I will fail so I want to take this open water secretly first. Any help and tips from anyone will be much appreciated.

her best friend is an instructor and took me twice to 10 meters. her comments "too deep breath and really should get the license"

 

[ZenDiver.3D]

Ten meters is nothing beyond any limits for OW.
You are far too nervous. And don't worry about failing. You will, most likely, be terrific. Do this for yourself.
You are about to be in-laws. That means you already won the girl/guy. There is nothing to prove. Relax and enjoy the course. Diving is not that tricky. You'll be fine.

 

[DCBC]

Welcome to ScubaBoard Donald! I know that it's difficult for you not to be frightened. Individual fear is to be respected. It's important for you to realize that it's like going in an aircraft for a trip. The outside environment cannot sustain life, but the aircraft's mechanical and electronic systems are working to keep you comfortable. We can breathe normally and relax. Your diving equipment is like that, you can in-fact relax.

Be comfortable in the water as a swimmer. The more comfortable you are on the water, the more comfortable you will be under it. Select your course carefully. Compare what you are going to get for your money. One way of doing this is my examining the number of training hours you will receive.

I recommend that you look into training through a diving club. Dive shops offering instruction are great, but they tend to look at training as a way to make money. Diving club programs tend to be longer in duration and give more time to the student to practice before moving on. It may be ideal for you.

Good luck and remember it's about enjoying yourself and being safe!

Wayne

 

[ZenDiver.3D]

fine DCBC. just go ahead and say it much better than me.

 

[donaldlam]

Thks for the words both, I will keep you posted then. Thanks again truly.

 

[TSandM]

Donald, welcome to :sblogo:, and hopefully to diving.

Look inside yourself and decide if diving is something YOU want to do, or if you are only doing this because of family pressure. If it intrigues you or challenges you, go for it -- I think you will find that breathing underwater is really pretty easy. If, on the other hand, this is something you are forcing yourself to do because of family dynamics, consider just learning to snorkel first. You can go to quite a few dive sites with your family and allow them to dive while you snorkel above them. It's a way to enjoy the water and the sea life, without the pressure of being submerged. If you find you enjoy the activity and wish you could follow some of the fish or other creatures you see, once they disappear from your view, you may naturally evolve into diving.

The bottom line is: Do what works for YOU. The only students I have seen really not enjoy the class, and not complete it, are students who really don't want to dive, but are doing it for some external reason.