Hello,
I'm currently taking my OW class (SSI). I became interested in learning how to dive because I love to snorkel while on vacation. Most of my snorkeling has been on St. John where is it is very easy to just swim out from any beach and snorkel.
My husband got his OW certification last month and we went to Marathon FL for his OW checkout dives. I snorkled Coffin's Patch (which I really enjoyed) and tried snuba diving. I was very discouraged with snuba because I spent almost the entire time of the deck of the boat getting more and more weight added to my belt. I am 5'9" tall and weigh 155 lbs. I eventally sort of sunk with 18 lbs of weight, but by that time I was so tired of struggling with sinking, I really didn't enjoy myself. I would have had a lot more fun snorkeling. The snuba instructor dubbed me The Human Cork. Evidentally, I do not look like I need a lot of weight to sink.
When we returned, we went to our local dive shop and I discussed my problem with them and they assured me they would weigh me so I could sink without struggling. I signed up for the class.
Last night (our second class), we practised skin diving in the indoor pool (which was quite cool). Again, I had problems sinking wearing 1 mm microprene suit. I was given 9 lbs, then 12 lbs, then 14 lbs. I was able to dive from the face down position with 14, but unable to sink feet first with 14. We then put on back-inflated BCs and I couldn't get below the surface at all with my BC completed deflated. My spirits were pretty much deflated by then too.
I really hated the back-inflation. Most of my weight belt was on the back but, I just tilted over when I inflated my BC. My legs wanted to pop out of the water and I was just miserable. I have tried on other BCs which inflate all over and they feel much more comfortable. I think I would be more comfortable with an integrated weight system, but I'm not sure.
Next week I'm going to wear a 3 mm suit because I was so cold last time. I will probably need more weight. I do not want to spend my next session struggling with the weight again. I already mentioned the weight problem to my instructor before we began. Should I talk to him again? I also want to let me know how much I detest the back inflated BC with all the weight, but I don't want to appear to be a whiner, because I'm not. I would be willing to buy my own BC at this point. For some reason, the instructor wanted us all to wear the back-inflated, student BCs.
I've always been very bouyant and a good swimmer. I think I learned to swim at a young age because I can float without thinking about it. I don't want to get into a hobby which will be a constant struggle with equipment. I want to be better able to enjoy looking at coral reefs.
I would greatly appreciate any advice.
I'm currently taking my OW class (SSI). I became interested in learning how to dive because I love to snorkel while on vacation. Most of my snorkeling has been on St. John where is it is very easy to just swim out from any beach and snorkel.
My husband got his OW certification last month and we went to Marathon FL for his OW checkout dives. I snorkled Coffin's Patch (which I really enjoyed) and tried snuba diving. I was very discouraged with snuba because I spent almost the entire time of the deck of the boat getting more and more weight added to my belt. I am 5'9" tall and weigh 155 lbs. I eventally sort of sunk with 18 lbs of weight, but by that time I was so tired of struggling with sinking, I really didn't enjoy myself. I would have had a lot more fun snorkeling. The snuba instructor dubbed me The Human Cork. Evidentally, I do not look like I need a lot of weight to sink.
When we returned, we went to our local dive shop and I discussed my problem with them and they assured me they would weigh me so I could sink without struggling. I signed up for the class.
Last night (our second class), we practised skin diving in the indoor pool (which was quite cool). Again, I had problems sinking wearing 1 mm microprene suit. I was given 9 lbs, then 12 lbs, then 14 lbs. I was able to dive from the face down position with 14, but unable to sink feet first with 14. We then put on back-inflated BCs and I couldn't get below the surface at all with my BC completed deflated. My spirits were pretty much deflated by then too.
I really hated the back-inflation. Most of my weight belt was on the back but, I just tilted over when I inflated my BC. My legs wanted to pop out of the water and I was just miserable. I have tried on other BCs which inflate all over and they feel much more comfortable. I think I would be more comfortable with an integrated weight system, but I'm not sure.
Next week I'm going to wear a 3 mm suit because I was so cold last time. I will probably need more weight. I do not want to spend my next session struggling with the weight again. I already mentioned the weight problem to my instructor before we began. Should I talk to him again? I also want to let me know how much I detest the back inflated BC with all the weight, but I don't want to appear to be a whiner, because I'm not. I would be willing to buy my own BC at this point. For some reason, the instructor wanted us all to wear the back-inflated, student BCs.
I've always been very bouyant and a good swimmer. I think I learned to swim at a young age because I can float without thinking about it. I don't want to get into a hobby which will be a constant struggle with equipment. I want to be better able to enjoy looking at coral reefs.
I would greatly appreciate any advice.