Questions After Free Intro to Scuba Class

[Diver0001]

Sorry I meant keep my ear drums from popping. I was constantly trying to get my ears to pop. I was swallowing, holding my nose and blowing, tried wiggling my jaw too. Nothing would really work.

Unless you have an anatomical issue with your ears then I would expect proper instruction will get you over most ear issues. This is something that usually gets easier as you go.

So is buoyancy control. In the intro class you're often basically just thrown in the water but you're not given any real instruction. In the class you'll learn how to control your buoyancy step by step to a much higher degree. Perfect buoyancy takes time but "good enough" can be learned fairly quickly with a decent instructor.

Which is my next point. Not all instructors are equally skilled and even though they all work to more or less the same "standards" some of them will certainly be more able to teach you how to dive the way you want than others. If you have options then shop around. Ask people how they approach their classes. Ask them how they teach you buoyancy control. Ask them how much time you get in teh course to just swim around and practice what you've learned, etc.

Good luck.

R..

 

[TerryC]

Hi everyone!!!

Every since I decided I was going to get certified last month, I have been doing research on scuba, equipment, certifications, etc. Last week, I noticed a local certifier was offering a free intro to scuba class. I tried it last night and I really didn't enjoy it. I had significant issues with bouyancy and my ears were constantly hurting. I continuously was holding my nose and trying to keep my ears from popping. I left the intro class pretty upset because this has been someone I wanted to do forever.

My fears are that I am only going to be diving one or twice a year and figuring out buoyancy is something that takes a lot of time and practice. In your experiences, did it take you a long time to figure out bouyancy. My fear is I have a bounyancy problem at 60 feet. It was stressful enough in the pool. Maybe I am worrying too much, but I have read about the risks and know what could happen.

Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks!!!

Hi Puffy, and welcome to Scubaboard.
I think from the replies you have already the messages are:
1. Do not be put off.
2. Try again with another instructor.

I regulary teach the Discover Scuba course hear at the Marriott Hotel St Kitts and also using our own facilities. After the pool session we offer an ocean dive so new divers get to really experience the underwater world. This is how I do it under the Padi standards.
I take my time to get divers used to breathing using scuba and swimming around, equalization comes later after you are comfortable in the water. Bouyancy control (on the students part) is kept to a minimum, PADI after all does not intend this to be a qualification course, just an enjoyable intro to scuba where the Instructor is always in close control of the student and immediately aware of any problems.
Equalisation is a skill that I can normally teach pretty easily (there is more than one technique) and I always start the equalisation practice on the surface. Ok some students take a little longer than others, but none of this is supposed to be rushed and it is certainly not meant to be a painful experience.
It sounds like your equalisation problems were made worse by your bouyancy problems (I am guessing you were doing a lot of going up and down) To be honest I think the instructor should have prevented this happening and assisted you with your bouyancy issues.
You have already had some good advice from forum members who are more experienced than myself, it is good advice. Don't let this one poor experience put you off. Scuba is a wonderful sport and there are lots of divers out there who only dive on vacation. It really is like riding a bike, once you are qualified it comes back to you pretty quickly when you are diving.

 

[Hotpuppy]

Hi everyone!!!

Every since I decided I was going to get certified last month, I have been doing research on scuba, equipment, certifications, etc. Last week, I noticed a local certifier was offering a free intro to scuba class. I tried it last night and I really didn't enjoy it. I had significant issues with bouyancy and my ears were constantly hurting. I continuously was holding my nose and trying to keep my ears from popping. I left the intro class pretty upset because this has been someone I wanted to do forever.

My fears are that I am only going to be diving one or twice a year and figuring out buoyancy is something that takes a lot of time and practice. In your experiences, did it take you a long time to figure out bouyancy. My fear is I have a bounyancy problem at 60 feet. It was stressful enough in the pool. Maybe I am worrying too much, but I have read about the risks and know what could happen.

Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks!!!

Hey Puffy, Welcome to Scuba and ScubaBoard!

I'm sorry you had a bad test dive..... but Discover Scuba or "intro to scuba" is essentially like a test drive of a car. Imagine if you will, for a moment, what would happen if we rolled back the clock to when you were 13 or 14 and wanted to drive, but had not yet been taught? What would have happened if we had taken you to a car dealer, put you in the back lot which is 100 x 200 and put you in a car and said here play with this. I bet you would have hit things, had a hard time with it, and generally come away thinking that cars suck and driving is stupid. Too small of a space, no training, and nothing really interesting about driving around in a parking lot.

Diving in a pool is much the same. It's too small, there is nothing interesting, and in your case you don't have the benefit of quality instruction time.

I just finished my OW cert last weekend. The pool wasn't my favorite part. I was busy just keeping up with what needed to be done and not really enjoying scuba. My last checkout dive was alot more interesting. I had time to actually look at things underwater and enjoy it a bit.

I still have trouble clearing one of my ears. When my left ear doesn't clear right away I stop, try again, and ascend a few feet if needed until my ear clears. That's the right way to do it but it takes longer because I can't simply dive to the bottom. That's okay, there is no finish line down there and diving is supposed to be fun. Everyone moves at their own pace and concentrates on doing so safely. It gets easier to clear my left ear each time I do it and after 4 or 5 times it's doing just fine.

Clearing your ears in diving is like driving a manual transmission, on a 40 foot bus or other large vehicle like a 5 ton military truck. Shifting is an art form and it takes some practice to get it right without grinding through the gears. Just because you ground some gears last night doesn't mean you won't learn it, it just means you need more practice.

I would encourage you to re-connect with your dream. What dream did you have about diving that made you want to do it? Do you still have it? Are you willing to get back up and try again? If so, then do it.

A good instructor will want it to be a pleasant experience. Discover scuba is supposed to be a test dive to get you interested in taking the class.... not to scare the hell out of you or make it miserable. Tell your instructor what you didn't like and see if he can help you overcome that. If you don't like the answer, thank them and find another instructor.

DAN has a great article about clearing your ears. In case you don't know, DAN is the Divers Alert Network which is basically the Red Cross of Diving. They help divers keep safe and promote best practices for diver safety. Here is a great article that might help: Divers Alert Network : Alert Diver Articles I suggest reading that and seeing if it helps explain what is going on. You aren't alone in having challenges here.

Remember, it's not normal or natural to breathe underwater. It can however be done safely with the proper training, proper experience, and right equipment. Diving is supposed to be fun and I sincerely hope that you won't let one bad experience ruin your dream.