OW test at Casino Point, freaked out, didn't pass

[keithbt]

I have had many students do exactly what you did when I have been a divemaster. The solution was usually one on one time with the instructor or divemaster.

 

[AZTinman]

Too tight ill-fitting wetsuit... uncomfortable... Sports Chalet had a terrible selection? Find a good 7mil wetsuit that fits well and take another run at the skills tests. Discomfort out of the water won't magically change into comfort in the water. It sounds like you had some ingredients which set you up for failure.

How comfortable are you with your instructor? Make sure you've got one that work you through the issues you're having. I've seen good instructors shift students to different instructors if they feel they're not making connections with students which will enable the students to be successful. A positive, professional working relationship between instructors (teachers) and students usually results in positive outcomes.

-AZTinman

 

[lkws]

I too had some troubles completing my OW certification - everyone else seemed to get it, be relaxed and having a great time. I was anxious, scared intimidated... I needed a little more one on one time and reassurance so I ended up finishing up my open water skills, etc. in a private class - extra cost but now I am an Advanced Diver with over 100 dives in less than 3 years and enjoy it very much. The extra / private help really was great! **Also - I had a male instructor first and finished with female - I think this was better too. As a woman she was more understanding and patient - plus she had a lot of girlie tips that the male instructors don't know / think of.

@Scubanoey - thank you for your insights and sharing your experience! I have a male instructor too and I was thinking maybe a female instructor may have a "softer" touch...though my instructor is very nice too. Yes, I agree. I probably need some more private, one on one time to practice. My instructor has set up a make-up pool session for me this weekend before i have to take my OW test again in Laguna. I'm hoping this time I will get a lot of practice to feel comfortable enough. Thank you!

---------- Post added April 9th, 2014 at 08:39 AM ----------

I had a freak out on my first checkout dive at the dive park! Got down with my group, and noticed my fin had blown into three pieces, as the group swam away my anxiety skyrocketed, and two seconds later so did I! I think the combo of the hood and 7 mil, and a malfunction and it was over! : ) I look back now and have to smile, I love diving SO. Ca. and all it has to offer. My recommendation, (and What I did) is don't wait long (I was back in two hours later) get an instructor who you can tell and have them watch your eyes the whole way down, its very comforting! If you have a few weeks wear your 7 mill and hood and go swim in the surf, with someone who's a good swimmer and just get comfy with the confined feeling. Another thing is get a one on one, just you and the instructor! Again couldn't be happier I got back in the water that day, I dive weekly, and can't imagine my life today without it!

And to everyone that says go somewhere warm, I say the opposite, If this is where you live learn to dive here, then when you travel you'll appreciate it more for learning how to dive what some would say is a challenging area (its really not) So. Ca. has beautiful dive sites, and Drysuits are a great addition to staying comfortable

@jscan - that's incredible, your experience is very inspiring and motivating. I would love to look back one day and laugh at my very first OW experience as just a little freak out....I hope that I can. Yes, I live in LA so most of the time I would be doing it here, and on vacation I would hopefully be in warmer waters. I am having an one on one pool session with my instructor this weekend so I'm going to try my best to tackle my fears and do the best to practice before the next test! Thank you for the encouragement.

---------- Post added April 9th, 2014 at 08:44 AM ----------

I have taught MANY students right at Casino Point. Most do very well once we get to Catalina because we take the time to make sure all skills are solid and everyone's comfort level is ocean ready. Some, for whatever reason, have some troubles. It's not a big deal at all. Different people learn different skills at different rates. I have witnessed many students who just don't do well in larger group classes, do VERY well when they do private classes. This is the reason I chose to teach only private and VERY small group classes. If you have the opportunity to have some one-on-one time with a qualified instructor, it may do you a lot of good.

As for a referral to Cozumel, my very humble opinion is no. I LOVE Cozumel and I am 51 days away from being there, but learning where it is easy is not always best. It could make it all that much harder to dive elsewhere, even if you are certified. Remember, it's not about passing the skills. It's about learning to be a safe, confident and happy diver. Learning where you have a lower visibility, more thermal protection, more weight, etc, will make you a super diver in warm water places like Cozumel and a confident diver right here at home.

@robertarak - thank you for your insight. Yes, I think i am more of a private class learner, I think I need the attention or the help to get me through it. I go back and forth about getting a referral and getting certified in Cozumel. One hand it does sound "easier" theoretically, but yes, you're right, my home is LA and I should probably do it where I reside. Conditions are not ideal though, I don't really feel too comfy in cold water or a wetsuit, but I guess that takes some getting used to. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

---------- Post added April 9th, 2014 at 08:51 AM ----------











Thank you everyone who has contributed their thoughts, experiences, fears and triumphs! It is so great to read each experience and to hear everyone's insights. It's nice to not be alone in this!

My instructor has set up a pool session with me this weekend, which I am so thankful for. I hope to get some more practice in and feel more comfortable about my skills. If all goes well, we are supposed to do a shore dive at Diver's Cove the following weekend, where I will hopefully be completing my skills test and getting certified.**Fingers Cross**

Thank you everyone for your words of advice and encouragement!

 

[fnfalman]

Since that you've got some good tips from everybody on what not to do the next time, please apply it. AND make sure to nag the instructor on every point if you're not clear about them.

However, if things don't work out, then things don't work out. SCUBA isn't for everybody. There was a lady in my OW class and she was the best one out of all of us in the pool with skills drills and in-water comfortability. However, when it was time to do it out at Catalina, she was a no go regardless of how much the instructor tried to make her at ease. She even sat on the boat for most of the day and relaxed. Then when it was time for her to make the second attempt, she went into the water, looked down and said, "Nope!!! I don't want to do it, it's not for me."

It's not a big deal if SCUBA isn't for you. There are plenty of other sports and hobbies available.

 

[Lorenzoid]

I got certified in the cold, er, I mean temperate waters of SoCal, albeit intentionally at the height of summer. I commend all those who have done it wrapped up like the Michelin Man in a 7mm suit, hood, gloves, loads of lead, etc. As far as I'm concerned, there is no such thing as a 7mm wetsuit that "fits comfortably." So much neoprene and so much lead. Being cold and uncomfortable makes diving skills that much more difficult to concentrate on. People who got certified in the tropics have no idea what we're talking about--"it was easy," they say. Ha!

If I had to do it again I would totally have gone the referral route and done it in a tropical location.

 

[HalcyonDaze]

Just as a note - watch when you get to mask-clearing. Maybe it's because I was certified in South Florida, but a few dozen dives into my SoCal stint my mask flooded one November off Catalina. I went to take a breath to clear it and seemingly couldn't; I thought my reg had crapped out. Luckily I was in maybe 20-30 feet of water, kept my head, and my girlfriend at the time was there to donate air. After sorting my mask out I checked my reg again and it worked perfectly. A few months later I managed to replicate the occurrence on a shore dive in Laguna.

What I figure happened was the cold water went up my nose and just clamped down my breathing reflex; I found I had to stop, focus, and command myself to take a breath. Since then I haven't had that problem, even in Seattle. Of course, after that bout of temporary insanity I happily returned to Miami.

 

[MalibuJerry]

My suggestion is to go with a private instructor. There are many good ones in the area and if you want a recommendation or two pm me. With a good private instructor you will have someone who can evaluate what is going on, work with you to correct it, and give you confidence to do the dive, the skills, and to know what to do if anxiety were to hit at a future time. Much of what has been said about the 7mm wet suit and hood is true. It feels confining, especially if it does not fit right. This can lead to a cascade of discomfort and anxiety. So again, a 1 on 1 with a good private instructor for a couple of sessions will be well worth the money.

 

[jayaspock]

I tend to agree with this assessment. I have had a few times here in so Cal that as soon as the cold water hit my face I immediately couldn't catch my breath. The snorkling and taking it slow advice above is a good one. At the dive park just snorkeling out to the student buoys keeping you face in the water can go a long way to getting acclimated and making you comfortable.

 

[Steve_C]

A 7 m only feels bulky at first. Once you are comfortably dialed in you don't notice the neoprene and weight. You are not moving much anyway. Just floating along looking at stuff.

Did 4 shore dives out of Vancouver in a 14/10. Felt great in the 46 degree water.

 

[gcarter]

A 7 m only feels bulky at first. Once you are comfortably dialed in you don't notice the neoprene and weight. You are not moving much anyway. Just floating along looking at stuff.

Did 4 shore dives out of Vancouver in a 14/10. Felt great in the 46 degree water.

I now dive regularly in a 7mm with a 7mm hooded vest. Much as I initially struggled with it, you are right, it fades into the background and I no longer really notice it.