Newbie issues. What is your dive problems stats?

[uncfnp]

Things happen and its not just to new divers. Seems like there is always some little something each dive trip. Old mask but for some reason it has decides to fog or trickle leak. Tiny bubbles at an o-ring...

On dive # 366 but my first trip to Cozumel and first back roll entry, my left fin came completely off, my mask partially flooded and the elbow joint on my inflator hose got knocked partially loose preventing the wing from holding air. So ok three problems to deal with but all just minor. Number one in priority was the fin. Somehow I had caught it between my knees. Twisted around and got it on. Now add a little more air to wing and next clear mask. Got that done. Now the wing. Add a little more air again to keep from sinking, reach back and tighten the connection. Good, got that done now lets go see the reef!

In addition to drills, is there a way to calm down at the onset of panic? At my unfortunate mask flood, I realized I couldn't clear it, but telling myself that I was holding onto a regulator and still breathing didn't help much. I tried to breathe deeper, but all in all, going to the surface and taking 5 minutes to catch the breath was what helped. Would've been much more challenging on a deeper dive...

I think the answer to this will be different for each person. Experience will be your best teacher. But also remeber that fortunately truly catastrophic events in recreational scuba are very rare. Most issues are just minor events that then escalate. When you have a problem, slow down, breathe, think it through and then deal with the problem.

 

[Noemi]

Woo hoo! I passed - now OW/dry suit certified (SDI). I'm happy as a clam.

Congratulations Marie13!
You are one step ahead of me now

 

[Noemi]

I think the answer to this will be different for each person. Experience will be your best teacher. But also remeber that fortunately truly catastrophic events in recreational scuba are very rare. Most issues are just minor events that then escalate. When you have a problem, slow down, breathe, think it through and then deal with the problem.

This is a great advice. I remember I also read this in PADI manual when I was getting certified, yet it somehow it escaped me to stop, think and then act when the issue happened. Worst enemy in this case is percieved rush: I have to keep going or I will loose the rest of the team, I have to clear the mask quickly cause we have to get somewhere and my buddy is waiting.

My only hope is this task loading will get easier with experience

 

[Marie13]

Congratulations Marie13!
You are one step ahead of me now

Thank you! I am just thrilled This! This is a major, major accomplishment for me.

Class pic. I'm second from right.

 

[Noemi]

Class pic. I'm second from right.

Nice! I wonder if the gentleman next to you (in the middle) is wearing a wetsuit?
Or everybody in the group got drysuit certified?

 

[Marie13]

Nice! I wonder if the gentleman next to you (in the middle) is wearing a wetsuit?
Or everybody in the group got drysuit certified?

DRIS puts all students who want in dry suits for the OW dives. Just more comfortable. The only one who got dry suit certified besides me is the fellow on the far right. The two guys in the middle wore wet suits as well as the gal in the hood. The fellow on the far left did his dives in a dry suit but didn't do the dry suit cert.

 

[2airishuman]

How often did you have issues in the beginning of your diving career?

breathing from a rental regulator so had to abort the first part

I've never used a rental regulator.

I had two dives where the mouthpiece came off my regulator. This turned out to be a problem caused by my older metal regulators having a somewhat smaller connection for the mouthpiece. On one of the dives, I swam to the surface and called the dive. On the other dive, I was able to reattach the mouthpiece in the water while using my secondary reg. I corrected the problem by using a different type of zip tie, and haven't run into it since.

troubles descending into the deep

I had one dive where I thought I was wearing 3mm but was actually wearing 7mm (I have two identical wetsuits in different thickness), which led to problems descending. I have had a couple dives where I was slightly underweighted at the end of the dive.

On the other one my mask kept flooding way too much

I have had any number of dives where my mask was leaking a little for one reason or another, which I see as a minor irritation. I've had one dive where I had the strap on wrong, and one dive where the side of the mask was sort of folded in, both easily corrected during the dive once identified.

As others have pointed out, you have to use a mask that fits your face. I gave away my original mask and have a different (much cheaper) one now, that works much better.

in the end of the dive I ran out of air

I have never done this.

How many of them were serious? How did you solve these? Were you panicking often in the beginning?

None serious. I've had dives where I made navigational mistakes, dives where I had problems with my SMB coming unstowed, dives where I realized early on that my exposure protection was insufficient for the water temperature, stuff like that. Some panicky moments here and there but nothing I couldn't control quickly.

I am sure that things will get better with experience and also with having my own gear. My plan is to spend some more time on the drills, especially now that I am diving in the cold water, and get accustomed to the new gear I acquired. But some part of me is still worried that I will have problems every second dive or so and that would prevent me from enjoying the activity.

Given your history you may want to hire an instructor or DM to work with you getting acclimated to your new gear.

Cold water diving is harder all the way around, more awkward in all that neoprene, another environmental factor to overcome, more difficult buoyancy control.

It sure seems to me like you've had more than the usual share of troubles though. Might want to slow down a bit and work on planning and basic skills, and be more careful about who you dive with and what sort of dives you go on.

 

[Dizzi Lizzi]

So happy for you Marie! Noemi next, take your time...and dive safe

 

[Noemi]

So happy for you Marie! Noemi next, take your time...and dive safe

Don't think I will get to dry suit certification anytime soon

Next thing is AOW, but I plan to get some experience first and root out all the demons

 

[aquacat8]

Noemi you are doing fine! New stuff is hard but gets so much easier with time . You will get your gear dialed in. Go dive Point Lobos it is the easiest, cheapest and one of the prettiest dives in Monterey. You just walk down the boat ramp, you will love it!