questions, questions

[emn057]

Hello! My name is Emma, and I am new to this forum. I've signed up for a beginning scuba course at my university this fall; however, I am starting to doubt myself and my ability to do it, and I'm wondering if I should drop the class. I have so many questions that I can't find the answers to. I've seached the internet but can't seem to find any sites that address them. I suppose I'm just looking in the wrong places. I was hoping some of the members of this forum could help provide me with some answers:

What exactly does learning to scuba dive entail? What kinds of things do you study? What kind of practical experience is gained?

What kind of tests do you have to take? How hard are they? What if you fail? Can you take them again?

How well do you have to be able to swim? This is the one I am most concerned about. I've heard something about having to be able to swim 200 yards. Is this correct, and if so, is there a time limit?

Does anyone else have any experience with learning to scuba dive as a college course? How does the instructor assign grades? I would hate to ruin my GPA.

How long does it usually take to learn? I mean, I suppose every dive is a learning experience, but how long does it take to be proficient enough to be comfortable with it?

How hard is it physically? Is it very akward at first? I tend to be somewhat uncoordinated, so this is also a big concern.

Thank you for taking the time to read my long post. I really think I would enjoy scuba, but I just not sure if I am able to do it. If anyone here could provide me with some answers to my questions or direct me to a website that does, I would greatly appreciate it. Also, if anyone would like to share their experience learning to scuba dive, I would love to hear from you. I am at a point now where I know absolutely nothing, so I would apprecite any kind of information, advice, stories, etc.

Thanks,
Emma

 

[CathyI8205]

Hello! My name is Emma, and I am new to this forum. I've signed up for a beginning scuba course at my university this fall; however, I am starting to doubt myself and my ability to do it, and I'm wondering if I should drop the class. I have so many questions that I can't find the answers to. I've seached the internet but can't seem to find any sites that address them. I suppose I'm just looking in the wrong places. I was hoping some of the members of this forum could help provide me with some answers:

What exactly does learning to scuba dive entail? What kinds of things do you study? What kind of practical experience is gained?

What kind of tests do you have to take? How hard are they? What if you fail? Can you take them again?

There's a book to study and written tests to take. They aren't too hard.

How well do you have to be able to swim? This is the one I am most concerned about. I've heard something about having to be able to swim 200 yards. Is this correct, and if so, is there a time limit?

My husband was worried about this too. Yes, it's 200 yards. But you are not graded on style or speed. He did the whole thing on his back.

Does anyone else have any experience with learning to scuba dive as a college course? How does the instructor assign grades? I would hate to ruin my GPA.

We went through PADI. Not a college course. Our class was 2 weekends and an Open Water weekend in a lake.

How long does it usually take to learn? I mean, I suppose every dive is a learning experience, but how long does it take to be proficient enough to be comfortable with it?.

I'm sure it's different for everyone but I'm guessing it's around 20 dives. I'm only at 16 and I'm hooked.

How hard is it physically? Is it very akward at first? I tend to be somewhat uncoordinated, so this is also a big concern.

Like everything it's a personal thing. I know I'm much more coordinated under the water than above it.

Thank you for taking the time to read my long post. I really think I would enjoy scuba, but I just not sure if I am able to do it. If anyone here could provide me with some answers to my questions or direct me to a website that does, I would greatly appreciate it. Also, if anyone would like to share their experience learning to scuba dive, I would love to hear from you. I am at a point now where I know absolutely nothing, so I would apprecite any kind of information, advice, stories, etc.

Thanks,
Emma

Emma, welcome to diving. Just relax and have fun with it!

 

[downunderjenn]

Hello! My name is Emma, and I am new to this forum. I've signed up for a beginning scuba course at my university this fall;
Awesome! This is a lifetime sport and invaluable to my sanity.

however, I am starting to doubt myself and my ability to do it, and I'm wondering if I should drop the class.
You are in control; keep that in mind at all times. If you doubt your ability to do it, I hope that you strive to complete the course to prove to yourself that you are capable (unless a doctor says otherwise). Scuba is not rocket science. It's following a few rules, practicing, having fun, relaxing, and learning a few lessons. I find that scuba relates to life in many cases. How do you handle stress? How do you make decisions? Scuba provides some insights to these types of questions.

I have so many questions that I can't find the answers to. I've seached the internet but can't seem to find any sites that address them. I suppose I'm just looking in the wrong places. I was hoping some of the members of this forum could help provide me with some answers:
Right place is here.

What exactly does learning to scuba dive entail?
If you learn in a shop, it takes one week with a PADI course. A college course takes a semester, because you get to include trips as part of your training. It will not bring your GPA down. You read the book, take the written tests. Then, you perform the skills you read in the book in a pool. Next, you perform the skills you practiced in the pool in "open water" (water that you can ascend to the surface at any time-no overhead obstructions and within a determined recreational depth)

What kinds of things do you study?
Buoyancy, 5 Emergency Ascents, how to use gear and how to assemble/disassemble gear, physiology of body under water pressure, physics of water, buddy signals, predive safety checks BWRAF (Begin with review and friend), how to clear a mask, how to recover a regulator, how to hover, how to pivot on fins, how to stretch your calf holding your fin, how to ascend and descend, etc. It's really very simple stuff, especially after reading the book.

What kind of practical experience is gained?
Life experience, see above. Also, social skills, communication skills, what is really necessary in life, how to focus, etc.

What kind of tests do you have to take? How hard are they? What if you fail? Can you take them again?
You may take them again. If you "fail" it is not really failing in the testbook sense. You need to be comfortable in the water, develop comfort, keep calm and in control. The instructor will make you repeat things until you have learned them. This is good, and not a detriment to your grade. As long as you try you will do fine.

How well do you have to be able to swim? This is the one I am most concerned about. I've heard something about having to be able to swim 200 yards. Is this correct, and if so, is there a time limit?
For open water, and it's been a while, the time limit is so long that you will pass. Mostly, they want to ensure you know how to swim. This is not a swimming team or olympics. They will help you with your difficulties! It is great to know, plus you learn about a whole other world.

Does anyone else have any experience with learning to scuba dive as a college course? How does the instructor assign grades? I would hate to ruin my GPA.
RELAX!! It's easy and worth taking!

How long does it usually take to learn? I mean, I suppose every dive is a learning experience, but how long does it take to be proficient enough to be comfortable with it?
That depends on you, how often you dive, and your comfort zones.
I learn every dive, and this is a good thing. Keeps me from getting bored.

How hard is it physically? Is it very akward at first? I tend to be somewhat uncoordinated, so this is also a big concern.
I'm a total clutz, and still lean towards bumping into my buddy… on land! I actually find I am way more coordinated in the water. I could never play soccer, softball, or anything that required skill. I can scuba dive! I can also run, and I don't fall much.

Thank you for taking the time to read my long post. I really think I would enjoy scuba, but I just not sure if I am able to do it. If anyone here could provide me with some answers to my questions or direct me to a website that does, I would greatly appreciate it. Also, if anyone would like to share their experience learning to scuba dive, I would love to hear from you. I am at a point now where I know absolutely nothing, so I would apprecite any kind of information, advice, stories, etc.
Dive! I first went diving when I was 14. I've helped train people as old as late 60s (My instructor has trained people who are 80!). I would walk into a LDS (local dive shop) and peruse their gear. Look at everything, try on masks and ask questions. If they don't answer them, go to another shop.
Feel free to PM (private message) me anytime! There are different levels of training. I am unsure, but some colleges will run you through a couple of training classes, open water and advanced open water. I did mine at a shop, because I just couldn't see how they stretched it out into a whole semester. However, it would have introduced me to divers my age, and I didn't have room for electives in my schedule.

 

[Tampabay]

Hi, I'm glad you are taking a course in a subject that is filled with beauty. One thing I discovered as a Diver. Is the the we care about passing on the information & Tips on Diving. Going back to your questions...

1. First is safety. How to enjoy a the sport and learn to trust

2. You should receive a study guide and a video to help you learn , It will have Objectives Ex: Dive Equipment, Scuba system, Buddy system

You will have Quick Quiz: But it's simple if you apply yourself.

3. You will do confined water Dives in a pool.
4. you will do open water dives in a lake or sea

Not hard if you listen and learn and have fun..

5. No one wants you to fail !!!! And will help you...

6. The 200 yrd swim. Take your time and any swim stroke you like.

7. You will also do a 10 min Swim & floating

8. Breathing underwater is really cool. The Most important things are be safe, have fun
learn and "Never hold you breath"

9. Besides... Once you finish.. a new world of friends will open to you...

10. if you need any help or advice? e-mail a message. You will find a lot great Divers & here

 

[RobinG]

Well Emma

Others have given you lots of info but here's my take:

I'm a total klutz. I got roped into taking scuba because everyone said how wonderful it was underwater. In training, my gear didn't fit and I was sure I was going to either drink teh ocena in one day or kill myself in some exotic way. I managed to survive and kept swapping out gear until I got some that fit, and I lived to tell the tale.

That was about 660 dives ago. I am now asked to take new divers on trips because they feel very comfortable with my slow, easy pace (this astounds me as I think I'm Type A, and very impatient).

Anyway, turns out I learned a lot in the course, took more courses afterwards and kept learning, and discovered that my friends who roped me into diving were NOT trying to do me in but were telling the truth!

I'm still a klutz, but take it slow and easy, one bite at a time, and then poof, there I am blowing bubbles and flying underwater. It's awesome.

Funny enough, you sound like me: I don't like to take a class unless I already know I can pass it, or already know the material to some extent. You'll just have to let yourself go and take it one step at a time. And from the sounds of it, a semester of scuba sounds like more fun than a college student should be having!

Robin

 

[DandyDon]

Most of us qualified with two weekends of training and one weekend for cerification dives, or the equivelent.

I would think that students who spend a whole semester learning would be much better trained.

Ask around your school, but I'll bet this is one of those Easy A classes.

Yeah, do it now - rather than waiting until you get to the real world, and have to pay for everything!

 

[wacdiver]

Hi Emma Welcome to the board
I'm a newbie here too (2 months or so) but I have found tons of great advice and everyone is prety helpful, so to answer one of your Q's you found the right place.
I can give a bit of info regarding college SCUBA classes as that is how I got into SCUBA. I took it for my PhysEd requirement (you probably are too, its alot more fun than tennis or weight training ). BUt seriously I found that it was probably the best way to learn how to dive. You get ALOT more classroom and pool time (if your school works the same as mine did) we hit the pool once a week for the entire semester so it works out to be more than enough time for any level student to learn and feel comfortable with the required skills. In most shops I have come to hear about you get anywhere from 2 to 6 pool sessions, you will probably get twice that.
I have had a few friends get certified at shops and well the first shop my friend went to had 2 pool sessions and 5 class sessions and they said he was ready for his cert diveI asked him a few Q's re the basics and he had NO CLUE as to what I was talking about. They never cover some of the Basics like fin pivot, buddy breathing off 1 regulator, and a few other things. I refused to let him take the test or to continue with this shop. He went to a different shop and they did the course the right way. (not all shops have their priorites straight too many just want to sell equipement so they push you through ready or not. I AM NOT SAYING ALL SHOPS are this way I have found a few that WILL NOT sell you gear until they have educated you on how to use it properly, a good Dive shop should be about educating divers not pushing gear) sorry bout the rant

As far as how will they grade you My instructor used the quizzes in the book as test grades and the written test he used as the final. If you read the chapters and watch the video you should be able to pass no problem. Some of the students had some difficulty with certain aspects of the training (the tables for example) but the instructor should spend plenty of time reviewing and should encourage you to ask questions if you have any problems. And if he/she doesn't you have some pretty good study partners here on the board to help you out(as I said these guys have been great). PLus most instructors will let you retake exams. And wose case senario if you feel you are not doing well and don't want it to affect your GPA you can always PNC the class (pass/No Credit option. if you fail you are just given no credit for the course if pass you just get a P and credit for the class but nothing gets factored into your GPA. I had to use a some of those for a few classes, like statistics)
Lastly to address your concern about the physical aspect I have Muscular Dystrophy (I can't go up or down stairs without holding on and using my arms for balance and support, or get up out of a chair or off the floor) so when I dive I can not do alot of things most of you guys take for granted (like going up or down ladders or walking with my tank on my back) BUT I still dive and LOVE IT!!!! I just know my limits and stay well with in them Plus I always let the DM (dive master) and my Buddy know exactly what my limits are and how they can assist me. I have yet to find a DM or buddy that was unwilling to help out.
Ultimatley what I'm saying (in probably too many words... sorry) is that you should just relax and enjoy you will be fine. I bet once you get your face in the open water and see what is out there you'll be hooked just like the rest of us.
Good Luck and keep in touch
WAC :rock_band

 

[DandyDon]

Good answers, WAC!!

Hey Emma - if you want to do this, you know you can count on us. Look around, and you'll see this to be a very friendly and supportive board almost all of the time. No one's perfect.

BTW, you are welcome to Intro yourself in our forum for that. Just click on the link below in my Sig area, if you'd like to.

 

[cra2]

Hey Emma,
My wife and I are new to diving as well so I have a fresh memory of what's covered in the course. However, ours was done in 2 weekends (with about a week of self-study beforehand), so you'll probably be moving at a much more leisurely, thorough pace with plenty of time to get all your skills down and your questions answered.

My BESTEST BESTEST GREATEST advice in the world for you would be to get comfy in the water.

My wife is non-athletic and was also concerned about being underwater connected to a life-support system. We got a simple set of snorkel gear (mask, fins, snorkel) and I took her to the local, heated pool. We did laps to get used to swimming with fins and using those leg muscles. And we'd head down to the bottom and feel the pressure in our ears and practice "equalizing" where you pinch your nose and blow gently through it - like on airplane to "clear" your ears. But most important of all, we'd bob at the surface and take our masks off while still breathing through our snorkels. At first she sucked water up her nose. lol. But after a few visits she got it down and could swim across the pool like that, or go to the bottom and take off her mask then slip it back on and "clear" it (where you exhale through your nose so the air you push into the mask forces the water out and you can see again). If you can do that stuff, you'll do great in scuba class.

Don't fret it. The academics are a pinch - 14 yr olds take this stuff.
And the swimming skills? Well... I'll just say after reading our dive book about how important it was to be "fit" for diving, I was surprised to see how many HUGE fat guys and little 60yr old ladies go diving every weekend. The books would have you thinking only super-buff Navy SEALs go diving.

So sit back and enjoy it, there's really not that much to it when you first get into it.
You'll find out the depth of the place you're going (say 60 ft. for example).
You'll look on a simple chart and see how long you can stay under at 60 ft.
You'll get your gear on, get in the water, clasp your hands and just breathe, looking at the little fishies. When your watch says you're getting near the end of how long your chart said you could stay down, you signal your buddy and you both start swimming up slowly.
That's the concept.
The rest will be little details about "why" you do what you do, and what to do if something goes wrong.

But my point about being comfy in the water is the most important.
If you have anxieties about taking your mask off underwater, all the academics in the world aren't gonna mean a thing. The more comfy you are underwater, the more you'll get out of the class.

 

[emn057]

Wow! Eight replies in one day! Thanks everyone for taking the time to read and answer my questions. You were all so helpful.

Wacdiver, thanks for the insight into the college scuba class. We don't have that pass/ no credit thing at my school. I wish we did!

Now that I know a little more, I suppose I'll go ahead with the class. I just tend to be a little hard on myself and underestimate what I am capable of, but I know I'll enjoy it if I stop being so uptight.

Thanks again for the friendly and warm welcome!