OW class starts next sunday, so nervous!

[mermaid824]

Hello Everyone, Im new here and Im taking my Open Water Class next Sunday. I originally started my certification in Curacao last October, I did fine the first day, but the second I was a little shaky and decided sit it out. We started out in the pool, and i was a little uncomfortable, i felt a little claustrophobic, not from the gear, but just being in an enclosed pool, which sounds really wierd. Later that afternoon we did an open water dive, which was AMAZING! I loved seeing all of the cool things down there, which is what i believe kept me calm and kept my mind off of the fears I have. The next day we practiced with taking our masks off, I was so nervous of taking my mask off and im not sure why, Ive swam my whole life without one on so I tried, the mask got caught in my hair, and I panicked! I tried again, but I was just so upset i couldnt calm down. They couldnt work with me, everything was so rushed since it was a resort dive center and we really didnt have that much time. I really really want to be able to finish this class, Im just so nervous! I also have this really wierd feeling like when Im underwater its so quiet, normally I love the quiet ( im a mom and daycare provider lol ) but i get this wierd feeling like i cant communicate very well and it freaks me out a little bit. I just need suggestions on how to relax and overcome these obsticles so I can have fun instead of worry. Thanks guys

 

[ajtoady]

Hell if you can live in Baltimore AND take care of kids, this should be a piece of cake!!! Really though, a good instructor and a little time will make all the difference in the world. Talk to your teacher in private and explain to him or her your concerns. I think you will find that most are willing to work with you. If not look elsewhere. Your confidence in an instructor will motivate you into a secure and good learning environment that will help you move forward. Best of luck and welcome to the clan.

 

[TSandM]

Mask issues are something you can work with on your own, even before you take the class.

Buy yourself a mask and snorkel. Put the mask on (on land) and practice breathing with it on. Then practice breathing out through your nose with the mask on, and then out through your mouth, until you can alternate the two.

Then fill up a sink at a comfortable height, so you can bend over and put your face in it. Breath through your snorkel with your mask on. When you're comfortable with that, try breathing through the snorkel with the mask OFF. When you are comfortable doing that, try putting your face in the sink with your mask on, breathing through the snorkel, and then flood the mask. When you are comfortable with flooded mask on your face, you can graduate to doing this in a hot tub or pool -- anyplace you can actually get prone. There, you can flood the mask, and then put your head back and exhale gently through your nose, while applying a bit of pressure to the top of the mask, to clear it. Do NOT do this seated and tilt your head back! If you are seated and upright, you do not need the head tilt; if you use it, water will run down into your throat.

For your pool sessions for your OW class, if you have very long hair, consider using a swim cap to contain it so it won't catch in your mask strap. Another option is to use a neoprene "slap strap", as they do not share the plastic strap's fondness for hair.

 

[TMHeimer]

You've done a little diving already, so are probably familiar with a couple of the skills that will be taught. Study the manual a lot so you have a pretty good idea about how they're done. If you are taking the course on weekends (ei:-2 days class/pool, 2 days certification dives) it can be a lot to absorb in a short time for some (ei.: me. I took the course at night over 3 weeks, 6 sessions plus dives). Approach things routinely and relax, enjoy.

 

[bbarnett51]

My advice is to talk to different instructors about your issues. Choose the one that makes you feel relaxed. Instructors will make or break a class. Knowledge isnt really what makes a good open water instructor? Its the ability to communicate and teach. I really think you will do fine. Going underwater with a lot of heavy gear is scary for the first time. Once you learn to trust the gear then u r fine.

Good luck!

 

[Jim Lapenta]

You hit on the key factor in this yourself. Calming down and relaxing. And that will only happen if you do not feel rushed through the class. If you do start to feel that way STOP the instructor and tell him to slow down or repeat the skill or info. Notice I said tell him/her. You can ask them to. Once. IF they do it great. If not tell them to and refuse to go on if they do not. As I wrote in my book the chapter on choosing an instructor states in part that:


" Many people choose an instructor with less thought than they give to choosing a new television. My question is, why? A television does not hold your life in its hands, but the instructor you choose will. Some do not even have a choice of who the instructor will be; they sign up with a large shop and the shop assigns the students to whoever has the next class. No pre-class interview, no quick personality check to see if they mesh well, and no opportunity for the instructor to assess the fitness and interests of the student. I cannot fathom why anyone would accept this. When choosing an instructor, you need to understand that what you are doing is hiring an employee. You are the employer -- not the shop, not the agency, not the dive resort. You are employing this person to teach you to survive in an environment that is hostile to human life. Why would you not put serious thought into this? Why would you not interview this person and ask questions of him or her?"

My classes are set up so that there is time built in for students that may need extra attention.

 

[arthurmnev]

I'd rephrase it a bit: once you learn to trust yourself with your gear all will be fine. Remember the primary life support is between your ears, the rest are just tools to use.

The other thing to think about (and to paraphrase) if something is not going right, don't get scared Or panicky, it clouds your judgement, and that is the worst thing that can happen.

 

[mermaid824]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions, they are very helpful! Im feeling a little more a ease going into this class. My father is a diver, he constantly tells me to stop thinking about the what ifs and consentrate on whats happening right now. Im working on it, and I do know what to expect now so im sure that will help alot Thanks everyone!!

 

[DivemasterDennis]

I have two blog posts that I think you will find helpful. One is "So Now You Are Doing Your Open Water Dives," and the other is "Student Divers, Don't Think Too Much." Find them both here on scubaboard by clicking on the blogs tab, and then "most popular." Both are there ( or were last time I looked." You will do fine. Tell us how it goes!
Divemaster Dennis