Newbie issues. What is your dive problems stats?

[Marie13]

This thread has been helpful for me to read today. Yesterday was supposed to be OW Dives 1-3. It did not go well. I didn't even complete Dive 1. Viz was bad (arms length) from rain the night before and a ton of divers churning things up (quarry). I could just not get comfortable in the water. There were 3 instructors for 7 students. One instructor took me aside and we tried to descend twice to do Dive 1. No go. It just wasn't happening and I thumbed the dive.

On the first descent with the group, something happened, I'm not sure what, I panicked, and spit out my reg, and went topside. I was only a few feet under, thankfully. I've now found out that a bad night's sleep, getting to the site late, etc., and in general just feeling discombobulated beforehand does not make for a good diving day. I was behind the 8 ball before I even started.

The previous poster who mentioned his diving buddy panics on the first descent of a diving trip really hit home with me. I had some difficulty getting comfortable on the first pool session, but once I was over whatever block I had, I was fine for that day and the second pool session. Hopefully today is better (going one on one with an instructor for Dives 1-3) and I hope to finish up in a few weeks.

 

[Dizzi Lizzi]

Hang in there marie13. Take your time. There is NOT a deadline. Good for you thumbing the dive, I would not dive in those conditions. 2 ' vis? No way. Could I? Yes. Would I, no. Does not sound fun. I dive for fun.

 

[Marie13]

Hang in there marie13. Take your time. There is NOT a deadline. Good for you thumbing the dive, I would not dive in those conditions. 2 ' vis? No way. Could I? Yes. Would I, no. Does not sound fun. I dive for fun.

Thank you, Lizzi! I made sure I slept well last night and will not be rushed today allowing plenty of time. I'm sure today will be better.

 

[Dizzi Lizzi]

Have a great day! Hugs!!

 

[Noemi]

On the first descent with the group, something happened, I'm not sure what, I panicked, and spit out my reg, and went topside. I was only a few feet under, thankfully. I've now found out that a bad night's sleep, getting to the site late, etc., and in general just feeling discombobulated beforehand does not make for a good diving day. I was behind the 8 ball before I even started.

Hang in there! I was very anxious about my first dives, especially because my certification was in the warm water, so we didn't do the pool sessions (extended the time of the ocean ones, and were practicing all the skills in the shallows before and after dives). First day went surprisingly well, no issues at all, but then in the evening I was talking to my husband (who doesn't dive) and he said something along "Wow, how can you not be afraid of the ocean?". It really got to me. I couldn't sleep most night listening to the suddenly big waves outside, and almost decided to call it quits before finally falling to sleep. The next morning felt awful initially, but I had a good instructor and he helped me gain the confidence again.

 

[Noemi]

As for the first dive after certification that went wrong. It was still in warm waters, I booked a boat tour since my instructor said I should dive more when I can and I could. I was nervous in advance, bombarded the shop with questions before choosing a tour, and they said it was beginner-friendly. Everything was wrong: I got sea sick, the mask was leaking so they gave me a new one, the wetsuit was too small and the regulator wasn't breathing as well as my instructor's gear was on the day before. During the buddy check I noticed the regulator, DM tried to open it fully, but then breathed it herself and said it works ok.

I was still eager to go, so when we were told to "jump in the water, descend and wait for the DM at the reef", I happily (but awkwardly) jumped. Swam out a bit and pressed my deflator button, just as taught near the shore the day before. I was probably overweighted, because I started descending really really fast. That was when I found out my wetsuit was still way too small and the regulator completely unbearable. I was going down fast, couldn't breathe at all, the mask leaked, and I couldn't figure out how to equalize in this hurry. Then I looked down to see how much more to the reef. It felt as if I was looking from a 10-story building, with the exception that I was falling fast and not stationary. Beginner-friendly my ass!!! This was when I panicked.

I managed to find the inflator button and kept pressing it, but in my tries gasping for more air, I unconsciously ripped the regulator from my mouth. Good thing I was still holding it when I swallowed the sea water. I realized I had to regain control, so made myself clear the regulator, put it back and try to breathe. Really weird to feel yourself being two people at the same time: a conscious one that tries to solve a problem and a wild frightened beast that is in panic.

In a couple of seconds which felt like hours I finally hit the surface. Nobody around and people at the boat were asking if everything was alright. Really wasn't sure what to reply. I was fine health-wise and breathing, but didn't feel anything close to ok mentally. Wasn't going to drown anymore, that much I knew.

Sat out the first dive and then went down much slower on the second one, trying not to look at the reef until I descended. Unzipped my wetsuit as well to relieve the pressure. Went well that time. The regulator was annoying, but after accepting that it was just worse than my instructor's one I was ok. The dive wasn't that deep actually, my logbook says 53" and my deepest shore dive by that time was 41".

A few things I learned from that one:

1. If there is a problem on the surface, it will always will get worse with depth
2. Never believe other people if they say your wetsuit/regulator etc is fine. It may be fine objectively but they don't know what you feel and what you are comfortable with
3. Always look down from the surface before descending so you could get used to the depth you need to go through. Especially if previously you only did shore dives
4. If you are not sure how small or big your problem is, consider it being big
5. Abort the dive early if you think there is a problem

 

[Marie13]

Just a quick update: Today was so much better. I got Dive 1 done. We were partway into Dive 2 when the instructor had to thumb it due to ear issues (he'd done multiple dives earlier in the day with other students). Instructor was very patient with me. Started in shallow area of quarry to get me comfortable under the water again, then took me on a tour of part of the quarry, ending at a training platform, the sneaky man, as he called himself. Got about 20' down. Let me hold his hand at the beginning of the tour when I got nervous.

Go back in two weeks to finish up. I had a lot of fun once I was past the issues in my head.

 

[Rapid Star]

ust a quick update: Today was so much better. I got Dive 1 done. We were partway into Dive 2 when the instructor had to thumb it due to ear issues (he'd done multiple dives earlier in the day with other students). Instructor was very patient with me. Started in shallow area of quarry to get me comfortable under the water again, then took me on a tour of part of the quarry, ending at a training platform, the sneaky man, as he called himself. Got about 20' down. Let me hold his hand at the beginning of the tour when I got nervous.

Go back in two weeks to finish up. I had a lot of fun once I was past the issues in my head.

That's great! Getting that first dive under your belt is always the hardest, you definitely looked full of confidence! Best of luck when you go back, I know you can do it!

 

[Marie13]

That's great! Getting that first dive under your belt is always the hardest, you definitely looked full of confidence! Best of luck when you go back, I know you can do it!

Thank you! It was good to meet you today!

 

[Rapid Star]

You're very welcome! It was nice meeting you as well! I'm looking forward to showing you the quarry once you are certified!