Open Water Dives Next Weekend... What Else Can I do to Prepare?

[Matt S.]

Don't forget to bring stuff you might need in between the dives... towels, sunscreen, snacks, etc.

 

[Colliam7]

I have my open water checkout dives next weekend at Lake Rawlings, Virginia. ... Is there anything else that I could/should be doing to prepare for the checkout dives?

Check the SB thread that Doghouse just (re)started ('Certified newbie ...'). You might want to PM him for Rawlings beta, since he just did his OW checkouts there. (Also, you might give some thought to updating / completing your SB profile. Not required but possibly helpful in the future.)

 

[fisherdvm]

You might want to read the threads - How to descend, then to how to ascend, then to basic air management. Alot of the goodies posted were not discussed in my OW.

 

[doghouse]

I just finished my dives this past weekend. First, you are exactly like I was. The one thing that I can tell you is that you are over thinking it. It is nothing that you have not done and everything to enjoy.

Big Bill and I had a great set of dives. The water was darn cold for the mask flood, but you just prepare yourself for it and do the job! Water was 51 degrees, but clear as a bell! We walked through the skills without a hitch and went for an enjoyable dive.

A couple of things to remember. SLOW DOWN! Getting there is the result of enjoying the trip and kiss the pig.

BTW prepare to see some of the largest sunfish you have ever seen, that and some very nice sized small mouth bass.

 

[brdr882]

random last minute thought... depending upon how cold the water is bring a thermos of hot water if your diving wet to pour in before, that way you already have warm water in the suit and don't have to warm more up. You can also do this between dives but be careful as you're probably wearing the suit now and don't want to scald yourself. Hot chocolate and wool blankets!

 

[MBH]

You sound like you'll be fine.

Here's a tip that will go a long way; As soon as you are paired up with your buddy, get on the same page and go over all of your hand signals. Get familiar with each others equipment. Size up your team, use common sense, don't be too proud to follow, and don't be too timid to lead.

 

[FurtekJR]

Thanks everyone for the advice! I think that I have already been doing (or was planning on doing) most of what was suggested. Every night as I am trying to fall asleep I keep visualzing and running through various sitatuins (from gearing up, to different types of emergency situations). It has really helped.

Right now I am pretty calm. That hard part, however, is the waiting! I wish this weekend would hurry up and get here.

FurtekJR

 

[Prostar]

Right now I am pretty calm. That hard part, however, is the waiting! I wish this weekend would hurry up and get here.

FurtekJR

Relax. If you are warm and fuzzy with your skills in the pool, you should do fine in OW.

Rawlings is a great place to do your OW checkout dives. It reminds me of diving in much warmer waters. That big area before the drop-off is a nice place to play. There are also plenty of things to look at to keep you interested.

Oh, OH, Oh, watch The Replacements with Keanu Reeves. Some of the underwater scenes were filmed there. You can easily find yourself standing in the same spot he did.

 

[Bob Vincent]

Hey there is over kill ... relax ... diving is so much easier when we are relaxed and having fun. We are not diving the Doria so relax ... Put a flowered shirt on a pair of flip flops make yourself a Margarita ... put some of Jimmy's tunes on ... close your eyes and welcome to the islands mun ... no worries!

Congrats!