New to Diving - Please help!

[shotthebreeze]

Hi guys,

I've always been fascinated with the ocean and currently snorkeling is quite possibly my favorite sport. My uncle, who I often snorkel with, wants me to get certified so when we take our family vacations to Mexico and South America he can have someone to enjoy diving with. I'm signing up for a certification class this summer and I was wondering what the most difficult part of the whole process is. To be quite honest, I'm a little nervous about the pool dive before the open water dives. What is involved? Also, I wear contacts. Will that effect my performace at all? Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[dhampton82]

The worse part of OW water class for me was(and might be a pain for you also with your contacts) the mask removal and replacement. It took about 2 or 3 trys to get. After 5 minutes I felt like a "pro" at it.

Also, another difficult part will be when you do OW dives. Believe me, it gets kinda hard to pay attention to the instuctor with all the cool stuff to see!!

Good luck, you will definitly like diving!

 

[dhampton82]

BTW, fill out your profile, you could probably find a few dive buddies in your area.

 

[shotthebreeze]

hey, thanks a bunch. what's involved with the mask removal? maybe i could practice it in the pool before classes start...

 

[dhampton82]

about the best practice you can do with out a tank is to just snorkel in the pool. while your snorkeling, pull your mask away from your face a little and let water get into your mask (about half way full). then barely lift the bottom of the mask off of your face and blow really hard outta your nose.

Very easy to demonstrate, very hard to explain

 

[Diver Dennis]

It's also a good idea to read your manual before you get to class. It is an easy read and will have quizzes you can do. It can be a fun process, getting certified, especially if you are prepared.

 

[dhampton82]

Check out the New England Lobsta Divahs furom, there is alot of divers in your area!! My family is originaly from mass (glouchester) and I hope to dive up that way sometime.

 

[shotthebreeze]

The best spot to dive in Mass is by far Long Point Beach on the Cape. The water is crystal, which is an oddity for the area. There's also a pretty cool tanker wreck that's neat in the Provincetown harbor. I've snorkeled above it during high tide...cool stuff. So the mask thing...lets see if I can get it right...pull the mask completely off my face...stick it back on...blow out of my nose while holding the bottom of the mask open to clear it?

 

[dhampton82]

you dont really need to "pull your mask completly off your face" at first, just pull part of it off just enough to let it fill with water. During the class, you have to completly remove the mask from your HEAD then replace it. But you will have your regulator in your mouth so you can still breath without the mask.(wouldnt work to good with a snorkel of course.

 

[shotthebreeze]

makes sense to me. is there anything else of that nature in the pool dive?