Haha Frank. It's pool, no wetsuit, and im not that heavy.
Anyway, here is the update from the first confined water dive.
Turns out, we have a huge class. Bummer. I would say 12 people, but they are all nice so it should be alright. We got to the YMCA, took a quiz on the reading, and then went down to the pool. We swam 200 meters nonstop, no time limit, and treaded water for 10 minutes to find out if we were fit enough to take the class. Everyone passed. Then we learned how to set up everything and got in the water. I was so anxious just floating there, because we weren't supposed to go under yet, so I was just messing with my BCD and such. Everyone got in, all their stuff on, and he said what I was waiting for "Alright, so I guess you guys should try breathing now!" Stuck the regulator in my mouth, deflated my BCD, ducked my head under and took a breath. It was everything that I had dreamed of. One of the coolest things I have EVER done.
We sat and breathed for a little while, me taking it all in, while he gave the dreaded "time to go up" hand signal. We went up, and he explained the next step - Taking the regulator out of your mouth underwater, finding it again (Arm sweep), and getting it back in your mouth while still never holding your breath. Holy cow was that hard! The first time, I got it out, found it again, and put it back in and cleared it. Though I held my breath the whole time. Damn you, skin diving! I tried it over and over until I thought I had the hang of it. I inhaled some water which was unpleasant, but I figured it out for now. We then got to swim around for awhile, before getting out and learning how to pack up and take care of your gear.
What a great experience. I can not WAIT for an open water dive. So physched about the whole thing.
