Probably a silly concern

[jeckyll]

CompuDude:

At the same time you have alot of folks that feel alot better / less tired after really slow ascents (especially over the last 10 fsw). So while alot of people 'didn't get bent', I believe the instilling a slow and controlled ascent is very worth while.

Just my $0.02

 

[60feet]

CompuDude:

At the same time you have alot of folks that feel alot better / less tired after really slow ascents (especially over the last 10 fsw). So while alot of people 'didn't get bent', I believe the instilling a slow and controlled ascent is very worth while.

Just my $0.02

I agree with jeckyll. Wish I was taught the 30' per min. ascent rate instead of 60' per min. Since I made the switch, I've been feeling better after every dive. The 3-5 min safety stop also helps to give more time for offgassing. However, IMHO, if I were the OP, I'd be more interested in good control of the final ascent from the 15' safety stop than the safety stop itself.

 

[Tigerman]

I take it these are your certification dives which youll be doing with an instructor?
I just got my PADI open water diver certification (approx. level of CMAS*?) during the early summer this year and proceeded to PADI Advanced Open Water Diver less than a month ago. I cant say ive always been doing the best ascents myself.

As to the worry you have about your bouyancy control. Yes I think its a common concern. I know for sure that it was what I was most worried about myself, both on my first open water dives and on my first dive with a drysuit.
Ive actually found it to be easier to control my bouyancy after i started diving with drysuit rather than wetsuit, but that might of course also be related to the fact that ive had a few more dives and more training.
Im not gonna tell you not to worry about your ascent rates, because quite honestly you should. When it comes to the safety stop, its not really a requirement on shallow dives, but an extra safety. When you start diving deeper, youll be required to make either safety or decompression stops, but thats another course.

Of course its not PREFERRED to rocket to the surface at 200%+ of the supposed max ascent rate, but its happened and I never felt anything bad happening. One of the times this happened I was at 15-18 meters for 45 minutes, which is probably longer than your certification dives will last and I got cramped at the same time as I was carrying a little less weight than I should. The result was a uncontrolled ascent from approx. 10 meters while i was trying to stretch the cramp out, but it wasnt a problem.
Ive also seen 3-4 people going feet-first from 25-30 meters and theyve been fine.

So in conclusion: Do worry about your bouyancy, ascent and safety stops in the matter of taking them serious, but at the same time, know that its unlikely that youll be able to get bent IF youre not able to maintain them. The ascent rates and safety stops have margins and things may not always be perfect, especially when youre not experienced. Practice makes perfect, and practice is what courses and continous diving give.

 

[rawls]

The 15 ft safety stop came about when dopplers became available. Dopplers can detect bubbles moving through the bloodstream. They came up with the 3-minute safety stop after finding that the doppler detected almost no discernable bubbles after the 3-minute stop compared to the direct ascent (assuming the dives are NDL dives). Still...the bottom line is, as long as you stay within the NDL of a certain depth, you can ascend straight to the surface without suffering the consequences of DCS. The 3-minute safety stop is just that...an added measure of safety to give your body some extra time to offgas. I qualify this by saying you can never be 100% guaranteed you will not suffer DCS...even with the safety stop...But chances are you won't, so just relax...It won't be as hard as you may be thinking right now...I am surprised your instructor didn't go over this with you.

 

[Thalassamania]

Rapid ascent is not a silly concern at all. If you ascend too rapidly you risk DCS and a variety of other traumas you don't want to experience. Although the chances of that happening at the shallow depths you'll be doing your certification dives at are slim to none. I would recommend talking to your instructor about your concern so s/he knows you are worried and can give you some clear advice about controlling your ascent rate...which should be no faster than 30ft/minute. Chances are you won't have a bit of trouble.

Let’s not scare the poor chap. This is your certification dive, right? There will be folks there to help you if you need it. In any case, you'll be diving shallow for rather a short time and even if you pop to the surface, as long as you keep your airway open (breathe normally at all times) you will not hurt yourself. For dive you make in the future that are longer and deeper it will be very important that you learn to control your buoyancy and ascent rate. Search the "tips" threads for some really good ideas and techniques. Best of luck and have fun, I know you will.

 

[lifeisfullofgooddives]

Like everyone else has said...take it slow and just trust the instructor.

Btw if you feel as if you are rapidly going up and need to slow down, just flip yourself like you are going to swim downwards....this should slow or stop your accent and if not just start kicking...


But at the depth you will be at it really shouldn't be an issue...

Good luck and welcome to the sport!

 

[shark_tamer]

.... and I kill 2 birds with one stone.

If my surface signal is not already inflated and floating above me, I go ahead and inflate it.

- I did a mark on the rope at 3 meters ( 15 feet ) to help me stay at that depth instead of always looking at my PDC.

- I have 3 minutes less to wait topside for the boat to come and get me ... the signal's been floating for 3 minutes.

I also use this time to listen for possible engine noise close by ....

 

[chewie]

usually, during the ow cert dives, there must be a secure line wherein you & the other students must hold on to during ascents & descents. the instructor and/or DMs on hand are there to assist you & help you in overcoming your fears & anxieties.

since this would be your 1st dive, the instructor will help you to fine tune your buoyancy. it would take practice to perfect it. remember to add more weights since sea water is more buoyant than fresh water. you can ask your instructor help on this matter as well. if you feel that you ascent too quickly, release the air from your bcd. you can fiddle around with your inflator/deflator during the dives to deermine how much air in the bcd you actually need without sinking to the bottom or shooting straight up. good luck with your ow dives. you'll love it.

 

[--tom--]

Okay, one more opinion. You have successfully completed your classwork, so you know the basics of what to do. You have successfully done your pool work, so you have a base that shows you are capable of doing the safety stop (as well as the other skills). Your instructor believes that you are good enough to go to open water.

I believe your instructor. You are good to go. You will be nervous. You will make minor errors, and correct them. In a few weeks you will successfully complete your open water dives and earn your cert card. Congratualtions.

BTW.....welcome to the board.

 

[Ice9]

Heheh! Thhis reminds me of the time my buddy and I were doing a "fun" dive. On the safety stop, we were writing messages on the slate, and before we even realized it, we were on the surface! The conversation wen't something like this, "I feel ok. Do you feel ok?" "Sure! I feel ok, so YOU feel ok?"

Heh, we were a tad nervous there for a bit, but all was ok. I think I need a HUD built into my mask showing the depth