Noob Question... pre-first pool night..

[BlueWaterHue]

Okay, so tonight was my first time in the pool at all (heated thank goodness) for this class, just to do the tread water and swimming requirements (for PADI OW) and at the end of it one of the instructors brought out a tank with regulators and all and had each of us take a few breaths from it above and underwater. My question is this: Am I the only one who thought it felt really weird?? I'm not sure exactly how to describe it.. it kind of felt like there was a little resistance inhaling, and also weird, like my mind wanted me to not inhale because the sort of hissing sound made it almost seem like.. I don't know, the gas in there was bad or something??? Overall I felt pretty comfortable with it and still plan to stick with it, but that feeling was just unexpected. Not bad, just weird and a little surprising.

Any advice or things to keep in mind so I get more comfortable with it?

Also.. I did the swimming with mask and fins on and remembered the horrible foot cramps I got the only time I've ever been snorkeling. Anything to reduce this? It kind of feels like it's at the end of my toes and foot and it's difficult to stretch out.

Thanks in advance!

Let's hope I make it through next week when we actually really start pool time.
Angela

 

[GA Under Water]

A little anxiety for anything on the first try is healthy.

Cramps in the feet? I used to get them when my Fins were too small.

 

[Ben_ca]

Just pretend you are Darth Vader

And try not to grin too much It'll flood your mask

 

[ItsBruce]

I don't recall that feeling, but that was a while ago. I've heard of people who feel uncomfortable with the thought of breathing while in a place that breathing is unnatural, i.e. underwater. Practice and time underwater will help a great deal. Bite the proverbial bullet and just breath from the regulator and after a short time it will feel very natural.

 

[Ice9]

Heh, ya I felt the same way at first. I mean, its not natural to breath underwater, right? No sweat, you get over it, and after about 20 minutes it feels pretty natural and you don't even notice the weirdness of breathing through a regulator. Its those very first 20-or-so minutes that you notice it, afterwards it will be like second nature...

 

[tstormdiver]

I did some snorkeling before I started scuba, so breathing underwwater wasn't a big deal to me, but it was still a little weird being fully submerged & breathing. After a few minutes, I was like, "this is kind of cool!". What kind of fins were you using? Like was said above, are they too small? If so use some larger ones, or it may be that your leg muscles just aren't used to the fins & this will correct in time. For me the most interesting feeling was the first time I submerged weightless. The feeling of weightless flight is something that can't bedescribed, you have to feel it to understand it. It's like a skydiver trying to explain the rush of a jump. You just can't describe it. Good luck to you!!! Hope to see you underwater soon!

 

[BlueWaterHue]

Just pretend you are Darth Vader

And try not to grin too much It'll flood your mask

As a semi-StarWars nerd, that actually might help me, LOL!

As far as the fins go... I don't think they are too small. They're DeepOutdoors sixgills, and i tried half a dozen on at the shop, and both the shop guy and my husband (already certified) thought they looked the right size.. they are not tight at all, in fact they have a little wiggle room, but not too much. In hindsight I think part of it may have been that i was kicking from my knees too much and trying to use my foot muscles to keep the fin straight, or something like that. Anyway, I do hope this is a problem i can work out.

Oh, I forget who likened breathing through the reg to snorkeling, but it still felt very different for me. I haven't snorkeled much, and that is a little different but very easy to get used to. This was just strange. I'm sure I'll get used to it though.

Thanks for all the replies!

 

[PePaw]

The resistance you felt could be the regulator. In my pool sessions, there were distinct
differences in the different regs I used. I soon learned how to adjust it.
Shops generally go with cheap and "well used" equipment in class.

Just make sure you research before you buy. With the right reg, you won't feel any resistance at all.

Good-Luck in class. You're gonna love it.

 

[DiveMaven]

I think it's pretty normal to field weird the first few times you breathe underwater. I know it took me a second or two to take my first breath off a regulator the first time I was submerged...my brain was saying that I can't breath underwater, so I had to actually *think* about taking my first few breaths.

As far as your feet/fins, I'd bet that you're excited and that little bit of anxiety has you being a little stiff with unfamiliar equipment. If you're not used to swimming and/or wearing fins, you might have simply not relaxed. Give it time.

However, if the toe cramps don't go away in time, get new fins.

 

[LittleBug]

Imagine you are trying to breathe through a straw, that might help.

As for your feet cramping, try your best to relax your feet. You might be inclined to clench your feet if you are nervous or cold.