Some things that I haven't learned yet

[princessaprilia]

I think a big part of my problem is that I don't get to local dive. All my dives are 'destination' diving, so I don't get a chance to practice in anything but the 9 foot pool.

To sum it up... I've had 43 dives in just under 1 year. In that 11 months I've dove in Florida, Maui, Philippine Islands, and most recently Port Hardy. (I really hate for this to sound like complaining!)

Each dive is a dream-come-true destination, and the script that keeps running thru my head is; "Don't #$%^ this up, April." There is so much to see at these wonderful places that I berate myself for how much air I use.

I think I need 20 boring dives. Something where I have time to just work on skills. It's really hard to find a buddy to agree to that, though.

I'm off to Fort Lauderdale in November. I hope I don't $%^@ it up. ityparty:

 

[I Dive]

I know what you're saying, I'm just saying I haven't been able to do it very often. When you get it right, yes, it's as you describe. But what makes it hard is that, to keep from getting way off your target (a certain level, or a certain ascent rate) you have to catch when you're off and compensate real early, before it gets out of control. For me, usually, by the time I'm able to tell that I'm off target, it's too late and I'm already zooming to the top.

It's getting easier with more experience, and I'm glad that I have a buddy who's into practicing skills. It really makes you wonder about those folks who only go diving a few times a year, though.

Are you remembering to purge air as you ascend? It sounds to me like that may be part of your problem. You are ascending just fine and all of a sudden, "Hey, where did this elevator come from?"??? If that's you, remember that as you ascend any air in your bladder is going to expand. It doesn't expand instantaneously, but when it finally does, you will notice it! Make sure to be dumping as you ascend. Also, there is no such thing as ascending too slowly, assuming you don't run out of breathing gas! If you want to slow your ascent down, slow it down.

 

[sibermike7]

I think I need 20 boring dives. Something where I have time to just work on skills. It's really hard to find a buddy to agree to that, though.

I'm off to Fort Lauderdale in November. I hope I don't

When you going to be there?

 

[princessaprilia]

Nov 4 - 11

 

[Soakedlontra]

I think a big part of my problem is that I don't get to local dive. All my dives are 'destination' diving, so I don't get a chance to practice in anything but the 9 foot pool.

To sum it up... I've had 43 dives in just under 1 year. In that 11 months I've dove in Florida, Maui, Philippine Islands, and most recently Port Hardy. (I really hate for this to sound like complaining!)

Each dive is a dream-come-true destination, and the script that keeps running thru my head is; "Don't #$%^ this up, April." There is so much to see at these wonderful places that I berate myself for how much air I use.

I think I need 20 boring dives. Something where I have time to just work on skills. It's really hard to find a buddy to agree to that, though.

I'm off to Fort Lauderdale in November. I hope I don't $%^@ it up. ityparty:

I understand your frustration about not being able to dive nearby where you live and the pressure that must feel when you go off on those dive trips where you want to make up for the time when you are stuck at home not being able to even go diving in a fresh water body of water (not to mention the money...)

I am very lucky that I do not have this problem. However I do share your frustration about high air consumption. In my little experience I have learned that this kind of anxiety makes things worse. If you keep worrying about it on land you will carry that worry underwater too increasing the amount of air that you use! It is not worth it!

You have to come to term with the fact that being proficient in diving is a SLOW process. Of course the more you dive the better it is. People who go diving everyday probably acquire more experience and learn faster that those folks who go diving once a year during a tropical vacation. However that doesn't mean that somebody like you or me (who does not dive everyday) cannot become a skillful diver! It may take more time, that's all!

If you want to practice skills while in FL you may be able to find somebody who wants to do the same thing here on Scubaboard, in a more local scuba blog or by contacting local dive shops. Don't forget to have fun too!

Take it easy and enjoy your diving trip!

 

[princessaprilia]

I think something catastrophic would have to happen for me NOT to have fun while diving. Even though I beat myself up for my lack of skills, I'm still excited that I can see my feet underwater.

I have at least a dozen underwater pictures of my fins.

I flood my mask constantly from smiling.

 

[sambolino44]

Are you remembering to purge air as you ascend?

Yes, thanks.

I have at least a dozen underwater pictures of my fins.

I flood my mask constantly from smiling.

Now, that's cool!

 

[princessaprilia]

Yup. I'm nothing if not cool.

 

[Soakedlontra]

I haven't learn yet how to get rid of a light fear of running out of air at depth below 60fsw...Despite all my calculations of rock bottoms or looking back at my previous depest dives (so far my max depth is about 100 fsw) and realizing that at that particular turning pressure I was able to end the dive safely with a reserve of 500psi etc.etc. when I am down there and reaching my turning pressure a little voice tells me to rush to the surface because air is running out...

On Sunday I dived to 83fsw and I did try to make a conscious effort to relax and shut that little voice up. I was also using the camera so I had to be extra careful of not get too distracted by taking pictures. When I looked at my SPG and saw that I was down to 1,750 PSI (my turning pressure) some anxiety crept in. It wanted to 'convince' me to hurry up and swim up to 40 fsw (where I would do 1 minute safety stop).I tried to fight it because more anxious you are and more air you consume. I manged to keep everything under control and slowly reached the 40fsw, then the 15 fsw depth for the 3 minutes safety stop.

At the end the plan for this dive worked out fine but if I had been even more relaxed I probably would have consumed less air. If I do deeper dives more often I bet I will be able to get rid of that 'little voice' once for all!

 

[MtnPlayVA]

I flood my mask constantly from smiling.

I love it - that is what diving should be like for everyone!