HEY LINDSEY...WOW IM A TEEN DIVER TOO! WOOPIE! yay! OK HAD TO GET THAT OUT OF MY SYSTEM...i too just got certified (august 21st...) and i LOVE IT! i was in the dominican republic this morning when i did a "quick dive" (u know those hotel resort 5 minute class things then u go dive) and well i loved it...after i got back tot he states i got certified and its the best thing i could have ever done...but the only bad part is the taking off ur mask in the ocean and putting it back on...but just remember...u only have to do it once...THEN UR DONE! just remember to have fun...cause if ur soo hyped on fun u cant remember the scary stuff of the ocean...good luck...
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raposarose
Guest
I didn't really feel very nervous about much of it, I was just excited to go out there.
I can tell you what the scariest thing was though...getting overconfident.
I felt early on like my buoyancy control was pretty good, and I kept pushing the limits pretty quickly. I didn't realize that that was what I was doing, it wasn't really extreme or reckless, but I went on night dives after only a little experience (practiced night snorkelling once), and went to about 80 feet after around 10 dives or so (since a DM took me that deep and I felt comfortable). Well one day I did somehow make a mistake and had an uncontrolled ascent. All I could think of was to not hold my breath, but I couldn't flare and dump quickly enough to stop the ascent. That was pretty scary since it was from about 50'.
Since I wasn't hurt it was a lesson learned and I decided to be more aware of dive planning, my experience level, etc. Especially since I have a responsibility not only to myself, but to my buddy.
So, I would like to suggest just having fun, diving conservatively, and not worrying about things. If you took the skills and lessons you learned in class seriously, and follow those lessons you should have a lot of fun.
Incidently, my wife did find our first dives a little scary. It was mostly descending in very low visibility that made her nervous. She dealt with it by expressing her feeling about it so that we could know to take our time so she could catch her breath and relax before descending. As soon as we are under she is never scared!
I can tell you what the scariest thing was though...getting overconfident.
I felt early on like my buoyancy control was pretty good, and I kept pushing the limits pretty quickly. I didn't realize that that was what I was doing, it wasn't really extreme or reckless, but I went on night dives after only a little experience (practiced night snorkelling once), and went to about 80 feet after around 10 dives or so (since a DM took me that deep and I felt comfortable). Well one day I did somehow make a mistake and had an uncontrolled ascent. All I could think of was to not hold my breath, but I couldn't flare and dump quickly enough to stop the ascent. That was pretty scary since it was from about 50'.
Since I wasn't hurt it was a lesson learned and I decided to be more aware of dive planning, my experience level, etc. Especially since I have a responsibility not only to myself, but to my buddy.
So, I would like to suggest just having fun, diving conservatively, and not worrying about things. If you took the skills and lessons you learned in class seriously, and follow those lessons you should have a lot of fun.
Incidently, my wife did find our first dives a little scary. It was mostly descending in very low visibility that made her nervous. She dealt with it by expressing her feeling about it so that we could know to take our time so she could catch her breath and relax before descending. As soon as we are under she is never scared!
StSomewhere
Contributor
Remember, all of the skills you demonstrate in your open water dives are done for a reason. If your mask ever gets knocked off (by another divers fin, doing a backroll entry, etc.), you'll be really glad that you learned how to get it back on and cleared.Deonne21:
Those skills are valuable. Don't just do them once, practice them!
RonDawg
Contributor
stsomewhere:Remember, all of the skills you demonstrate in your open water dives are done for a reason. If your mask ever gets knocked off (by another divers fin, doing a backroll entry, etc.), you'll be really glad that you learned how to get it back on and cleared.
Those skills are valuable. Don't just do them once, practice them!
Very true. With the mask clearing, I find myself doing it at least once per dive, due to my mustache preventing a truly perfect seal. Occasionally I'll even let a bit of water in and then clear it to remove any fogging.
yorkielassy
Guest
Hey! I just started my scuba cert classes too. I am having trouble with the breathing underwater without my mask on, I take a shot up the nose almost everytime, but from what I have read here, is that is normal for most beginners... I guess practice is the key. Well I better go, my bath is running, I am off to practice in my tub! Any tips?
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pilot81
Contributor
usually i would pinch my nose, certainly helps from getting water up the nose! practice pinching the nose and continue to breathe through your mouth, with some experience you would be so used to breathing through your mouth that pinching is no longer necessary as it becomes instinctively done.yorkielassy:
Having just been through the certification process....I didn't find anything scarey, just challenging. I found breathing through the regulator with my mask off was the most difficult task, and something that can be practiced in a pool with a snorkel tube.
I was seperated from my group twice during the certification dives due to low viz and my difficulty in clearing my ears. No sense of panic, just look for a moment and surface and wait.
Two weeks ago I had my first encounter with sharks in Key Largo. I felt like I was in the presence of royalty. Not scarey at all. Way cool.
I was seperated from my group twice during the certification dives due to low viz and my difficulty in clearing my ears. No sense of panic, just look for a moment and surface and wait.
Two weeks ago I had my first encounter with sharks in Key Largo. I felt like I was in the presence of royalty. Not scarey at all. Way cool.
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