Still New with Many questions

[Beej1123]

Hi Everyone...I'm still in the instructional process of scuba and need some words of encouragement....I am the only female in a class of 10 guys. I am the slowest learner in the class. I just don't catch on as quickly as everyone else. I'm starting to dread going to class every Wednesday. I'm hoping someone out there will tell me that I will get through the instructional portion and that actual diving is alot more relaxing then what I am going through right now. Also, is enjoying hanging out at bars a pre-requesite for divers, because it seems like all the instructors talk about is heading straight for a bar after coming in from diving. Is this what I have to look forward to on dive trips...provided I make it through this class?

Thanks.

 

[H2Andy]

hiya Bee... it must be tough being the only woman in with 10 guys...

let me tell you, i taught a long time (not diving) and men and women learn differently.
usually, women are more "methodical" in their approach, and they concentrate
a lot on the details, and they try to figure out what is what, why, how does it fit
in, etc... this APPEARS to be "slower" but it is just a different way.

men, on the other hand, rush in, let's get it done, and they are very good at grasping
the big picture and not sweating the details... this APPEARS to be "faster" but it
is just a different way.

halfway through the learning process, guys have to go back and re-learn the details
and women have to go forward and learn the big picture... and guess what?
they end up exactly on the same page! they just got there differently.

(this is horribly oversimplified, but my experience teaching tells me it is so in most cases)

and no, you don't have to hang out at bars, though that is fun enough. you could
also hang out at restaurants! but yes, hanging out with other divers and b.s-ing
about the dives is part of the joys of diving. but alcohol is optional!

 

[Beej1123]

Thanks for the response. You don't know how encouraging that made me feel! I'll take your words with me to class tonight and hopefully won't feel like the slow learner.

 

[Pauline]

I also was the only girl in my OWC.
I totally get what you're saying, but don't worry. I'm sure you'll be fine! Just focus on the diving, have fun while learning and forget about how the rest is doing.

I've had some very cool divetrips across the globe, and it hasn't happened to me yet that anyone make me feel like I had to drink and hang out at some bar after the dive!

Hang in there and you'll see, like me, you'll love it.

Greetz,

Pau.

 

[UndrWatrDan]

I'm hoping someone out there will tell me that I will get through the instructional portion and that actual diving is alot more relaxing then what I am going through right now. Also, is enjoying hanging out at bars a pre-requesite for divers, because it seems like all the instructors talk about is heading straight for a bar after coming in from diving. Is this what I have to look forward to on dive trips...provided I make it through this class?

Hi Beej,
Hang in there, you will make it thru the class. Once you get that certification and start diving, you'll see that is is very relaxing. I wouldn't have been diving for 30 yrs if it wasn't!

I drink very little or not at all when on a dive trip. I agree with Andy in that it's fun to hang out with other divers, listen to their stories, and have a great time, but it doesn't have to include alcohol that's always your choice.

Danny
www.divingrebels.org

 

[gj62]

I would recommend talking to your instructor about not being up to speed on the material and feeling uncomfortable. They probably can't help you with the testosterone issue, but they can allow you extra time before & after class - before class, to discuss any questions you have on the material - after class to get more pool time.

As with any new activity, it takes time to get acclimated. There are alot of factors in diving that become 2nd nature after awhile, that can completely throw a new student.

Assuming your instructor is affiliated with a shop, you might want drop by and talk to any women who work there. That may help you feel more comfortable with the local group of divers, and probably meet more women who have had similar experiences.

Bottom line - give yourself time to become comfortable with the material and ask you instructor if you need further assistance. If you are not comfortable with your instructor, by all means talk to the folks in the shop to see if there's another instructor that has an approach that suits you better.

 

[pasley]

... Also, is enjoying hanging out at bars a pre-requesite for divers, because it seems like all the instructors talk about is heading straight for a bar after coming in from diving. Is this what I have to look forward to on dive trips...provided I make it through this class?Thanks.

Welcome. Stay with the course. As several have already said, Men=Mars, Women=Venus we are different to our approaches and both have their good and bad points. You will get there. Let your instructor know if you aren't.

About the bars, alcohol and diving do not mix. After you surface from diving, you are NOT done diving; you are still diving for several hours while your body off gasses nitrogen. Dehydration (and that is what the alcohol does) is not good for you either before or after a dive and your instructors should be teaching that point! It is normal to gather and enjoy non-dehydrating beverages after a dive and share dive stories and the companionship of fellow divers. That is part of the fun. But it does not have to be a bar, in fact, in my circles; it is usually over a meal at a local restaurant and some ice water or maybe a soda pop.

 

[DandyDon]

Howdy!

Welcome to SB!! :happywave Put us in your computer's favorites and check in often. This is a great place to learn, compare, argue

I hope the others have already helped you feel better about the class and all; if you need any more help, though, post again - here or in New To Scuba forum

On the bar thing, though - you may need to change groups after you get certified. I'll have a beer or two the night before diving, but it's not an important focus for me. I recently had some big arguments with a Trip Leader over the drinking excesses, and I am very leery of drinking & diving.

don