Some Advice Required

[Jimbo the Ambo]

Evening all,

I tried my first dive in Turkey this summer, it was superb and I thoroughly enjoyed it. We went from Fetiyhe and headed for Dalyan Cove.

For the second dive of the day we went to a place called Tarzan Bay - unfortunately this is where I encountered a problem; I was the only beginner, the rest of the divers were open water qualified (at least) so while those guys went down to 18 metres while I was held at 6 metres with my own instructor. As they descended below us they disappeared (as did the sea bed) and all of a sudden I was unable to see anything at all (other than ocean) and I got spooked.

I really want to pursue to diving, however I continue to remain unnerved by this experience. The instructor with me was an ex-special forces diver and was clearly very relaxed in the water, perhaps he didn't realise the predicament that I was in. We had a language barrier so I couldn't feed back to him on the experience.

If any one has pointers on how to get over this (hopefully minor) hurdle I'd be grateful.

Thanks,

James

 

[shortdivemedic]

Keep diving. I like the thought of finding an instructor that you can communicate with and explaining your concerns. Then make your dives where you have visual references ,reefs,walls whatever makes you comfortable and dive. The more dives you have your comfort level will increase

Cheers
Michael

 

[boulderjohn]

Don't worry about it. Lack of visual reference is often disconcerting even to very advanced divers. It is usually a pretty rare event, though. I am having a hard time thinking of a time when I have been in that situation during normal recreational diving. You are usually near a reef or something else you can look at. Even in more advanced technical diving, when we expect to spend extended periods of time in open water, we send up a float with a line attached. This gives us something to look at.

 

[WB2GLP]

A little too much too soon for your diving comfort level. Plain and simple. Don't let it bother you or get you down.

The fact that it brought about a sense of fear is good. You take it for what it's worth and learn from it. Again, don't let it deter you from diving. You now know to take it slow and to dive within your comfort zone. If you feel you're slipping outside your comfort zone, let your buddy know. Your level of comfort will grow as you slowly gain experience; dive after dive.

If anyone tells you they never got freaked out while diving, they're either lying to you or they have never dove (dived..whatever) outside their own level of comfort. Hell, some people never get past the pool work, so don't beat yourself up over it. Put it behind you and dive on.

My only other suggestion: carry a small slate. My son loves carying a slate. He's use to texting all day, so the slate works well. You can see for yourself here. Diving the Sikorsky Helicopter at Dutch Springs 08-29-10 - YouTube He starts writing about 50 seconds into the video.

BTW, welcome to SB!!

 

[RonFrank]

If I am reading this right, this was your first OW experience and you are not certified?

Don't worry about getting disoriented at 6m while hanging out in the water column. That could happen to a much more experienced diver. Get certified and enjoy!

 

[Griffo]

I only recently had my first dive with absolutely zero visual reference up, down, or in any direction. It was at the end of a dive, and I found it made holding a level depth bloody hard. As others say, it was a little disconcerting at first. Solution was to shoot up and SMB and basically use that to control my ascent rate.

As others said, please don't let it put you off, it's not common and you will be a hell of a lot more comfortable when it does happen with some experience.

 

[g1138]

Bring a night light and brave the dark. If you need a reference you can look at your gauges or your stationary buddy.

If you really want to give scuba diving a fair shot sign up for a class, pick an understanding instructor, get certified, and practice.
The more you know about your diving equipment and abilities the better you'll be able to cope in the unfamiliar underwater environment. You have all the members of the board here to help you with any questions you need. Just give it a shot if you're willing to put in the effort.

 

[Phil_C]

James, I have had a few similar experiences in the Eastern Med where even at 18m the bottom is not visible on what seems to be a othwerwise beautiful day above water, and my first few times I also found it was unsettling. I also had similar problems with language on some dives (I frequently dive with a Russian and our common languages are Turkish and English) but most scuba hand signals are universal and once you have learnt a few you will find the language is not a barrier, at least not below water!

It does sound like the dive operator was being sensible and having a DM with you and just looking after your interests which was good, as was not trying to take you with the other divers.

I find when this 'bottom disappearing' effect happens,you can almost always look up and see the surface still which will give you some perspective and orientation, (it was a long time before I ever did this and it was a revelation when I did), and for a in water reference use the experienced diver with you and watch your own depth guage to reassure yourself that you are neither sinking or ascending too much.

But as others have said if you want to pursue diving seriously do a course and get qualified yourself, then you will find that you will enderstand what is going on with you and your equipment and this will demistify what is going on around you and I think you will be surprised how much this will help your confidence and help you to relax.

Best wishes and enjoy - Phil

 

[DivemasterDennis]

I'm with RonFrank on this one. The poster was essentially on a "discover scuba diving" experience, and it appears to have taken place in a location not well suited for that activity. I suggest that getting certified is essential to enjoying diving. As basic as that assertion may sound, some people disagree. Knowing the equipment, being familiar with it, having proper skills, and going on a series of four supervised dives at limited depth will prepare the poster, and anyone else in his position, to enjoy diving more, and to be safe. As far as becoming disoriented without reference, the rest of you have already pointed out that with experience comes competence. So Jimbo, hopefully someone will give you the gift of scuba lessons this holiday season. If they don't, treat yourself!
DivemasterDennis

 

[Jimbo the Ambo]

Thanks guys, some great advice there. I'm hoping to return to the med or red sea next year and qualify. My girlfriend is already qualified and I'm hoping some friends who also dive will accompany us, so there'll be good company to talk things over with. The worst part was losing situational awareness and not knowing whether I was upside down or not!

The instructor had only been with the company a few weeks so I guess he was on a steep learning curve too.

I'll re-read this thread a few times and boost my confidence!