Help a fearful diver wannabe.

[bigwally]

I just got back from Mexico, where I tried to take an introduction to scuba class. It was supposed to be a couple of hours in the pool and then a 10m ocean dive. But I was absolutley useless. Bless the instructor for trying her best with me, but I am going to be a slooooow learner. I didn't even get through the pool session - couldn't go to the bottom of the pool without freaking out (a little bit).

 

It started out worse though - I had a hard time with just getting my face in the water. But why should that be? After all, it's only like snokeling. Kinda.

 

Problem is, I'm a control freak and with all the new equipment, signals I had to remember, and the procedures I needed to follow as part of the training, I felt like I wasn't in control. There was just too much going on that I didn't feel comfortable with.

 

Also I haven't (purposely or otherwise) been to the bottom of a pool since grade school.

 

And I always had myself down for one of them there "mouth breathers". Apparenly I use my nose far more than I think I do. And way too much for scuba. I hated the way the mask sucked onto my face when I breathed wrong AND how it leaked water when I would forgetfully breathe out the same way. Apparenly not a problem for me when I can just pop my face out of the water, solve the problem, and stick it back in the water. But a bit freaky to know I'd have to deal with it while completely submersed.

 

So I asked to be excused and left the pool with my tail somewhat between my legs. The school offered to refund my course fee. But since they'd made every effort with me, I politely declined. I did ask for one of their t-shirts as a consolation prize and they were happy to oblige.

 

Now I've had time to reflect on the experience, I'm really mad at myself for being such a wuss. If nothing else, I should have stayed in the pool and practised breathing and control of the equipment just below the surface.

 

I fully intend to use the pool at home now to become more comfortable further under water. I mean, I had no problem with it when I was a kid, so there's really no reason I should have a problem with it now.

 

What I'm wondering though is how I could best accomplish this. I had in mind perhaps purchasing a pony bottle fitted with a proper mouthpeice (if such a thing exists). One of the guys at work suggested a compressor feeding air, like a hookah system or pressurised snorkel. Suggesting that it might be cheaper and more convenient than getting small bottles refilled all the time.

 

What I'd like to do is kneel or sit on the bottom of our pool and practise breathing, clearing my mask, and clearing the regulator. Just basically get used to the idea of being some distance under the water and staying there. Beyond what a regular snorkel will allow.

 

Thoughts? Opinons?

[RedHeadTexan]

Bigwally, I commend you for wanting to try diving again. Instead of trying to overcome what happened on your own, I think you should go to your local dive shop and talk to an instructor about what happened and how to proceed. You would probably do well with a private instructor instead of a group class. From my own experience getting certified I wish I had done a private class instead of the group class. I got extremely frustrated and was having issues keeping up with the group. Basically, I needed more one on one time with the instructor.

[miraclecavs]

I completely second the above opinion. Not everyone gets it the first time. I had to take an extra private class to be able to do the "doff and don" exercise. :o After I passed, my dive master admitted that, early on, he'd had to do an extra session himself to do the mask removal skill. Don't be so hard on yourself - many happily certified divers started just like you.

 

You might also enjoy www.scubaboard.com. There's lots of helpful stuff there for newer divers. You can also get help to find a good dive shop near you.

 

Good luck!

[w&k]

If I can do it, anyone can.

 

The most important thing with the mask is to get one that fits properly. An ill-fitting mask is just trouble all the way around.

 

I had to learn to clear my mask and snorkel in the kitchen sink. I had a really clean kitchen from blowing water all over the counters, cabinets, floor, ceiling... but I finally figured out how to deal with my mask, and breathe through a snorkel with water in it.

 

During the pool sessions, I drifted helplessly all over the place, and couldn't figure out how to do anything until screwing it up several (many) times.

 

However, when we got out into the real salt water, in a raging thunderstorm, everything just clicked, and I was addicted, just like that.

 

We had a lady certify through our old local shop that took almost a year. She could do all the skills easily, but wouldn't go below 10-15 feet. One day, she finally flipped over, and headed down to 60 feet in a spring, and we had a great celebration. Sometimes it just takes awhile.

 

Find an instructor you are comfortable with, and go from there. Private lessons would probably suit you better, so you could take your time without the pressure of a class.

 

Have a great time, and keep us posted on your progress!

 

Wendy

 

some photos to tempt you...

http://community.webshots.com/user/wendyandkeith

[dot73]

I had my second scuba class last night and first one with full scuba equipment in a pool that is 16 feet deep. The class has 10 students, from age 16 to 50+ (that's me), so it takes the instructor a while to go around to everyone. My problem is with clearing the mask. For some reason, I just can't do it. After next week's class, I think I will ask for the instructor for a one hour private lesson so that he can give me full attention to get me over the fear of the mask clearing. I love snorkeling and really enjoyed the intro to scuba I did in March in Grand Cayman. Even if it means doing the scuba course twice, I am determined that I will get certified. I think that you should sign up for a scuba course that isn't done over the weekend, but is done over five to six weeks. Read the manual you are given and watch the DVD. Talk to the instructor and ask for a private lesson and ask him/her to work with you with the breathing. Keep us posted and we will compare notes. What I like about the scuba/snorkeling board is that people on it are very encouraging to newcomers and never flame them. The divers I have met seem to be very happy people. Good luck.

[gmcrow]

Ok, are we the only ones willing to state the obvious here? "Freaking out" even just a little is unacceptable in the world of scuba. A lack of comfort below water MIGHT be something you could overcome, but it sounds like there's far more at issue here than a leaky mask. It may seem harsh, but visit YouTube and search scuba diving accidents. It's not for everybody.

[RedHeadTexan]

Ok, are we the only ones willing to state the obvious here? "Freaking out" even just a little is unacceptable in the world of scuba. A lack of comfort below water MIGHT be something you could overcome, but it sounds like there's far more at issue here than a leaky mask. It may seem harsh, but visit YouTube and search scuba diving accidents. It's not for everybody.

 

"Freaking out" due to frustration is not abnormal when learning something new. I had a complete meltdown in my scuba class. To the point that I was so frustrated with my complete lack of buoyancy control that I literally sat on the side of the pool crying. Once I calmed down and was able to work with our instructor I started to get the hang of it. After two years and 50+ dives I am completely comfortable in the water and have not "freaked out" since that day in the pool.

 

I agree that scuba diving is not for everyone, but I don't think that Bigwally should not give up on trying based on one bad day of intro to scuba. He should give it another shot and see what happens. :D

[bigwally]

It's entirely possible that scuba could be something I'll never be able to do, and will have to stick to snorkeling. If that's the case, then so be it. But I'll decide that once I've had a chance to decide if this is just a matter of my comfort level with what I'm doing or if, in fact, it's a phobia.

 

However, even if it's a phobia, I do believe it can be overcome. Until recently I had a phobia about going upside down in a roller coaster. I only overcame this particular hangup this last fall. I still can't go backwards in a roller coaster, but that's a phobia for another day.

 

Notice a pattern....it's all about a perceived lack of control with me.

[travelbugs]

Personally, I think you're being way too hard on yourself. Definitely go with the private instruction ( the intro classes move way to fast for some). The "hookah" set up? Probably not for you, all you need is the neighbor's dog running through your backyard and knocking it into the pool (with you at the bottom, talk about a lack of control). I think that when you do get certified, you'll be one of the conscientious divers. I've been on dives with cocky divers, only to have them panic when something out of the ordinary happened ( not my dive partners, just others I've witnessed). There's a difference between "Cocky" and "Confident". You seem like the type that will learn safety procedures to a "T". It's a completely different (beautiful) world under there and it commands respect. When you get certified, let us know!

~a future dive buddy~Bugs

[mamasue]

Big wally...... I'm a PADI diving instructor.

Believe me.... you're not uncommon at all!!! The 'out of my control' feeling is a common one.

What I recommend is that you find a good local dive shop, and ask for a one-to-one with a patient and experienced instructor, who specialises in nervous divers. When you're with a group, the instructor doesn't always have the time to giver attention to a student who needs it.

Please..... whatever you do..... don't mess around with compressors feeding air. Your friend at work is really irresponsible for suggesting such a dangerous and stupid thing...!!!!

A pony bottle in inexperienced hands is also dangerous.

If you want to use the pool at home... great!!! Use it to practise having your face underwater wearing a mask....take a big breath in on the surface, and slowly blow the air out underwater.... never hold your breath underwater.....it's dangerous.... you'll learn all about that on a diving course.

You say you want to go beyond snorkelling in your pool..... but snorkelling is actually an excellent way to learn to breath through your mouth underwater.

Don't give up... try again.... but forget the breathing equipment in the pool..... can be very dangerous!!!

Feel free if there's anything else you'd like to ask...

Good luck.... and keep us updated!!!

[John Y]

Something that has been suggested for overcoming the mouth / nose breathing problem is to take your snorkle and a pair of swimming goggles (not a diving mask) to the local pool. Sit in the shallow end with your face in the water and practice breathing through your mouth with the snorkle. You will quickly learn to mouth breath and accept the feeling of water in your nose. If you make a mistake, you can simply stand up to sputter and cough, then start again. Swap in the dive mask to proceed to mask clearing. I am a fairly new diver so I will be doing this a couple of times this winter to get used to the feeling of water in my nose.

[captain bob]

I swin and snorkel well and have signed up for a discover scuba session on a cruise that stops in Aruba next January.

 

Should I consider taking a class or course at a local dive shop before?

Their web site says they only do open water dives from May to Oct. up here in the north.

 

Pro and cons?

 

Thanks,

 

Bob

[bigwally]

You will quickly learn to mouth breath and accept the feeling of water in your nose. If you make a mistake, you can simply stand up to sputter and cough, then start again. Swap in the dive mask to proceed to mask clearing.

 

John, that is an awesome idea. Thanks for suggesting it. :)

 

Thanks to everyone else for their suggestions and encouragement too! :)

[sleepr]

Keep at it Wally! Here is a link to a scubaboard thread about mask clearing and breathing. A little long with about 83 replies but good reading,and lots of good techniques to overcome this, it can be done!!! I'm a newly certified diver myself and just completed my OW certs in a cold lake so I could be ready for my upcoming cruise. The important thing is to take your time, and learn as much as you can.

 

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/new-divers-those-considering-diving/246713-second-pool-session-thinking-quitting.html

[Dive Master]

Keep chasing your dream Wally. Excellent advice on here about finding some one on one instruction to help you out. Most all of my classes have been one on one---just me and the instructor--and I probably needed it.

 

One suggestion for anyone struggling with clearing a mask is to buy and only dive with a good quality "purge" mask.I've logged over 425 dives and I seriously doubt if I could clear a mask properly without a purge valve.Just make sure to keep the purge valve clean and working properly--sand and dirt can clog the purge.

[bigwally]

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/new-divers-those-considering-diving/246713-second-pool-session-thinking-quitting.html

 

Awesome thread. Thanks.