Words of wisdom for new scuba divers

[Alisa_MK_Reef]

I was trying to create a post separately but it didn't let me. So I'm highjacking this beautiful video thread sorry @saf1. Those colors are just stunning btw so you are a scuba diver maybe you can give me some words of wisdom and some encouragement.

Two weeks ago I did a thing 2 days of classes to get scuba certified ( locally here in the pool, open dive next weekend and I'm terrified). I hit a mental block pretty hard on my second day of exercise when you take your mask off and putting back on. I threw a regulator a few times and immediately go up. My instructor keep shoveling the regulator back in my mouth I wasn't having it The freak moment I forget to breathe via the regulator after I blow my mask off. A bit of tinny water in my nose I tend to breathe through my nose right after. And a little bit of water I'm in panic mode just panic. I only cried all day feeling disappointed in myself and wanting to quit. Quitting is not an option. I do want to scuba dive to see all the beautiful creatures in their true habitat. I know this takes practice and I'm going back this Saturday to practice some more.
any advice or words of wisdom from all you scuba divers here

 

[saf1]

I was trying to create a post separately but it didn't let me. So I'm highjacking this beautiful video thread sorry @saf1. Those colors are just stunning btw so you are a scuba diver maybe you can give me some words of wisdom and some encouragement.

Two weeks ago I did a thing 2 days of classes to get scuba certified ( locally here in the pool, open dive next weekend and I'm terrified). I hit a mental block pretty hard on my second day of exercise when you take your mask off and putting back on. I threw a regulator a few times and immediately go up. My instructor keep shoveling the regulator back in my mouth I wasn't having it The freak moment I forget to breathe via the regulator after I blow my mask off. A bit of tinny water in my nose I tend to breathe through my nose right after. And a little bit of water I'm in panic mode literally just panic. I only cried all day feeling disappointed in myself and actually wanted to quit. Quitting is not an option. I do want to scuba dive to see all the beautiful creatures in their true habitat. I know this takes practice and I'm going back this Saturday to practice some more.
any advice or words of wisdom from all you scuba divers here

I personally do not mind the hijack It may be better to create a separate thread thought to get more participation though. Not sure how many will read the one I started. Let me see what I can do to move it. In the meantime how exciting, right? Encouragement I have plenty of. Words of wisdom not sure but if I can help more than happy to although know up front that I am not an instructor.

Also don't feel discouraged or disappointed. The concerns you raised will be solved by practice, repetition, and comfort.

Mask clearing is something you will want to practice as it will be used frequently. Doesn't matter of you are a new diver or a dive master we all use the skill from time to time. So if you are still doing exercises in the pool I'd recommend practicing that one a lot. Also communicate with your dive partner what you are doing, or planning to do so they don't leave you. My point here is buddy system as you don't want to abort a dive and be solo on the surface. Mask, fin, decent trouble, or other dive partner is a must. So when I'm clearing my mask I usually alert my dive partner.

Regulator - this one I struggled with as well because it seemed foreign to me. I cheated for a bit and found a mask that had a valve in the nose that allowed me to breath easier. I've since switched back to a normal mask. Then today they now have the full face. Not sure how I feel about those. In any case the regulator is a must get comfortable with before any open water diving. Main reason besides your life support is that your dive partner or someone in the group may have troubles and pull yours out of your mouth due to an emergency so you need to be able to swap to secondary. I know this is going to sound stupid but I borrowed my brother in laws regulator / tank and would use it for an hour here and there throughout the day while I worked (at home). May not be an option for you but something to consider.

@adobo is a diver and may be able to give some suggestions.

 

[Fog King Reefer]

Wow, how can I say this politely? If you consider "quitting" to not be an option, do you consider dying to be an option? I don't want to come across as being mean here, just concerned, REALLY CONCERNED! I've been in and around the ocean my entire life. Scuba diving, free diving, surfing, open ocean water skiing, sailing, etc... I have pulled many panicked people out of the water. I have seen first hand a few dead drowning victims. Neither one is a pretty sight and you definitely will never forget the later. Please, please, please rethink this through. A pool is NOTHING like the open ocean. That white water is not as soft and fluffy as it looks. But if you are bound and determined to do this, the best advice I could give is to go to a beach where there are strong waves. Go with a few others who are strong swimmers and would know how to save a panicked swimmer and will keep an eye on you (preferably a hand too.). DO NOT DO THIS ALONE! Try going in just ankle to knee deep. Try laying down in the water. Feel the power of the ocean. Get used to the power. Get comfortable with the power! Get used to being slammed by the waves with water shoved up your sinuses until it burns. Get used to opening your eyes under water in the salty ocean. Then repeat this over and over and over until it is just second nature. Then go a little further/deeper and repeat, over and over and over.
The ocean is no place to panic. The ocean feeds on panic!
If you can get comfortable with no panicky feelings, then give it a go. Just don't dive alone.
Best of luck and stay alive!

 

[Humblefish]

@JoelM @adobo might be able to advise here

 

[saf1]

Wow, how can I say this politely? If you consider "quitting" to not be an option, do you consider dying to be an option?

That isn't what they mean and you are taking it out of context. They are just saying that they would like to stay the course knowing that a reward awaits post certification of seeing animals in the natural habitat. It is a figure of speech. Barring medical or other reason which prevents. Dive instructor involvement as they navigate from classroom to water obviously puts an emphasis on safety.

They are just wondering how other divers may have handled the oddities of breathing through a regulator or mask clearing. I get it. It is not natural.

 

[Alisa_MK_Reef]

I personally do not mind the hijack It may be better to create a separate thread thought to get more participation though. Not sure how many will read the one I started. Let me see what I can do to move it. In the meantime how exciting, right? Encouragement I have plenty of. Words of wisdom not sure but if I can help more than happy to although know up front that I am not an instructor.

Also don't feel discouraged or disappointed. The concerns you raised will be solved by practice, repetition, and comfort.

Mask clearing is something you will want to practice as it will be used frequently. Doesn't matter of you are a new diver or a dive master we all use the skill from time to time. So if you are still doing exercises in the pool I'd recommend practicing that one a lot. Also communicate with your dive partner what you are doing, or planning to do so they don't leave you. My point here is buddy system as you don't want to abort a dive and be solo on the surface. Mask, fin, decent trouble, or other dive partner is a must. So when I'm clearing my mask I usually alert my dive partner.

Regulator - this one I struggled with as well because it seemed foreign to me. I cheated for a bit and found a mask that had a valve in the nose that allowed me to breath easier. I've since switched back to a normal mask. Then today they now have the full face. Not sure how I feel about those. In any case the regulator is a must get comfortable with before any open water diving. Main reason besides your life support is that your dive partner or someone in the group may have troubles and pull yours out of your mouth due to an emergency so you need to be able to swap to secondary. I know this is going to sound stupid but I borrowed my brother in laws regulator / tank and would use it for an hour here and there throughout the day while I worked (at home). May not be an option for you but something to consider.

@adobo is a diver and may be able to give some suggestions.

Yes, a very exciting new chapter and new adventures to come. That's kind of where I'm with this whole thing lots of practice practice and more practice until I feel comfortable. I love snorkeling, but when we were in Australia @GBR in 2016 I regret I didn't have my scuba certification. That one time made me think about it and finally, after 7 years pulled the trigger. Communication is also a big key yes learned this from classes. I do like your idea about the regulator I'll be getting gear a few days before open dive so I'll probably just wear it around the house while doing tank maintenance ( Pictures coming )
thanks so much for taking the time and replying I know I could count on you!

 

[Fog King Reefer]

That isn't what they mean and you are taking it out of context. They are just saying that they would like to stay the course knowing that a reward awaits post certification of seeing animals in the natural habitat. It is a figure of speech. Barring medical or other reason which prevents. Dive instructor involvement as they navigate from classroom to water obviously puts an emphasis on safety.

They are just wondering how other divers may have handled the oddities of breathing through a regulator or mask clearing. I get it. It is not natural.

I understand what you are trying to say but the sentence was "Quitting is not an option.". I certainly don't want this to come out as me saying "absolutely don't do it". I just want her to be safe and I believe you do too. I sincerely hope she gets past the jitters and goes on to have a long enjoyable diving hobby.

 

[Alisa_MK_Reef]

Wow, how can I say this politely? If you consider "quitting" to not be an option, do you consider dying to be an option? I don't want to come across as being mean here, just concerned, REALLY CONCERNED! I've been in and around the ocean my entire life. Scuba diving, free diving, surfing, open ocean water skiing, sailing, etc... I have pulled many panicked people out of the water. I have seen first hand a few dead drowning victims. Neither one is a pretty sight and you definitely will never forget the later. Please, please, please rethink this through. A pool is NOTHING like the open ocean. That white water is not as soft and fluffy as it looks. But if you are bound and determined to do this, the best advice I could give is to go to a beach where there are strong waves. Go with a few others who are strong swimmers and would know how to save a panicked swimmer and will keep an eye on you (preferably a hand too.). DO NOT DO THIS ALONE! Try going in just ankle to knee deep. Try laying down in the water. Feel the power of the ocean. Get used to the power. Get comfortable with the power! Get used to being slammed by the waves with water shoved up your sinuses until it burns. Get used to opening your eyes under water in the salty ocean. Then repeat this over and over and over until it is just second nature. Then go a little further/deeper and repeat, over and over and over.
The ocean is no place to panic. The ocean feeds on panic!
If you can get comfortable with no panicky feelings, then give it a go. Just don't dive alone.
Best of luck and stay alive!

don't be concerned, I grew up by the Ocean I'm well aware of its beauty and of its powers. This a new territory "Scuba" for me and I'm just going through this like a newborn child who is learning to eat solid foods. I'm thinking out loud and seeking more information, about what others do or did. Yep Never dive alone scuba rule #1 I'm not that crazy hahahahha
thank you for your words of wisdom.

 

[ColoredRock]

So let me chime in here.. I have been open water diving since I was 13 off the coast of California. I have had the privilege of diving most of the Channel Islands off the Southern Californian coast, with exceptions being San Clemente and Santa Barbara. The water there can be amazingly calm one moment and then extremely wild the next. That can be said for almost any dive where you are diving at any location and you need to be comfortable in your own skin and be prepared for anything that may arise.

In my diving experience, my mask was knocked off countless times, and have thrown up underwater at 40 feet (Free fish food). I've came up from a “short tank” leaving my diving partner with another diver, only to see the boat in the middle of the cove we were diving on drifting because we didn’t set the anchor correctly. I dont think I can even remember all the mishaps I have had.

I need to remember it is just not my life/security that I am concerned for but that of my dive partner as well as any emergency that can happen to me can happen to them as well.

Like with anything in life the more you do it, the better off you are. Have you snorkeled before in open water? I would highly suggest that be a first stop and be comfortable on top before you venture below. Keep asking and great topic. Dont get discouraged, just like with reef tanks nothing ever good happens fast.. take your time.... and most off all have fun.

 

[Alisa_MK_Reef]

I understand what you are trying to say but the sentence was "Quitting is not an option.". I certainly don't want this to come out as me saying "absolutely don't do it". I just want her to be safe and I believe you do too. I sincerely hope she gets past the jitters and goes on to have a long enjoyable diving hobby.

"Quitting is not an option." I don't like to quit in Life! I may never do ocean dive but at least I tried to finish the certification. as I learned in the classroom if you don't feel like it's not your day to dive don't let anyone change your mind. Your mind and body must be in line

 

[Alisa_MK_Reef]

So let me chime in here.. I have been open water diving since I was 13 off the coast of California. I have had the privilege of diving most of the Channel Islands off the Southern Californian coast, with exceptions being San Clemente and Santa Barbara. The water there can be amazingly calm one moment and then extremely wild the next. That can be said for almost any dive where you are diving at any location and you need to be comfortable in your own skin and be prepared for anything that may arise.

In my diving experience, my mask was knocked off countless times, and have thrown up underwater at 40 feet (Free fish food). I came up from a “short tank” leaving my diving partner with another diver, only to see the boat in the middle of the cove we were diving on drifting because we didn’t set the anchor correctly. I dont think I can even remember all the mishaps I have had.

I need to remember it is just not my life/security that I am concerned for but that of my dive partner as well as any emergency that can happen to me can happen to them as well.

Like with anything in life the more you do it, the better off you are. Have you snorkeled before in open water? I would highly suggest that be a first stop and be comfortable on top before you venture below. Keep asking and great topic. Dont get discouraged, just like with reef tanks nothing ever good happens fast.. take your time.... and most off all have fun.

Wow thanks for sharing your story, and this is a part where I'm now learning about safety and going through it. Yes snorkeled all over Maui, and Kauai, and had the privilege snorkeled in Australia GBR in 2016.
Yep, Nothing happens fast, the same goes for anything new we want to learn or do.

 

[adobo]

I was trying to create a post separately but it didn't let me. So I'm highjacking this beautiful video thread sorry @saf1. Those colors are just stunning btw so you are a scuba diver maybe you can give me some words of wisdom and some encouragement.

Two weeks ago I did a thing 2 days of classes to get scuba certified ( locally here in the pool, open dive next weekend and I'm terrified). I hit a mental block pretty hard on my second day of exercise when you take your mask off and putting back on. I threw a regulator a few times and immediately go up. My instructor keep shoveling the regulator back in my mouth I wasn't having it The freak moment I forget to breathe via the regulator after I blow my mask off. A bit of tinny water in my nose I tend to breathe through my nose right after. And a little bit of water I'm in panic mode literally just panic. I only cried all day feeling disappointed in myself and actually wanted to quit. Quitting is not an option. I do want to scuba dive to see all the beautiful creatures in their true habitat. I know this takes practice and I'm going back this Saturday to practice some more.
any advice or words of wisdom from all you scuba divers here

Please bear with me if I meander with my response. I am neck deep in a bunch of work stuff and have about 15 things going on in my head at any given time.

---
I think it is perfectly natural for you to experience some form of apprehension as it relates to being underwater. It is not a natural state and it can take some getting used to.

If you are otherwise calm and level headed, I don't see any reason why you cannot work through your apprehensions and slowly build comfort, not only being under water but also dealing with dislodged masks and regulators. The key here is not to rush yourself.

Understand that the way the scuba certification process is structured, it is not intended to make you a capable, competent and proficient diver once you are done. The scuba certification process is designed to get people into the scuba gear and services pipeline. That is pretty much it. Very short, two or three day, cert classes are not uncommon. In fact, they are quite common in vacation locations. "Get certified while you are in Hawaii for $249" type thing.

Well, here is the thing, the level of comfort needed to operate calmly after loosing your mask or regulator in 50 ft of water might not come to everyone in two or three days. Some may need 7 days of training. Some may need more. That doesn't mean you are not a good candidate to be a scuba diver. It just means you might need more time. And you might need a better instructor.

I'll have more to say on this later today if you are interested.

 

[Alisa_MK_Reef]

@adobo thank you yes very interested, appreciate your time.

 

[Paul B]

. I love snorkeling, but when we were in Australia @GBR in 2016

You mention Australia, I actually did my first dive there in 1970 and have been diving ever since up until about 5 years ago. It is a fantastic hobby and opens up so many places to you that many only dream about.

I know quite a few people have that feeling the first time they dive with a regulator but It passes very quickly after just a few breaths.

It's exactly the same as breathing with a snorkel but a little easier.

You will be with an instructor who will only be a few feet away and is trained to know that you may "slightly" panic. But only for a few seconds.

In a very short time you will not even realize you are breathing from that piece of stainless steel and it will come natural.
Here in New York where I dove for lobsters hundreds of times from my boat our visibility is almost zero and the most we get is a couple of feet. The first few times I lost my mask I probably panicked a little because I can't find it here, but I know that with just a few kicks, I will get to the surface.

In tourist places where you will probably do most of your diving the water is very clear and you will see your mask or regulator if it comes out of your mouth and it will be no problem.

In a very short time you will be totally enjoying yourself and never thinking about breathing as it will be as natural as you are breathing now.
In the 50+ years I have been diving I almost never heard of anyone getting hurt unless they did something very stupid and I know you are not stupid so nothing will happen to you.

In the tropics my wife would dive with me. This is Tahiti. Notice she doesn't even have the regulator in her mouth. Probably worried about smearing her lipstick.

 

[Alisa_MK_Reef]

awww thank you @PaulB I knew I can count on you here for support as well. I'm very excited about it My dream vacation Tahiti

 

[adobo]

@adobo thank you yes very interested, appreciate your time.

I want to touch a little bit on @Fog King Reefer's remarks.

I fully appreciate that point of view. If you are an active diver long enough, it won't be long before you hear about a friend or acquaintance who lost their life while scuba diving. On the other hand, if you play golf long enough, you will also hear of a friend or acquaintance who lost their life playing golf. I know, it is absurd to relate scuba diving and golf. My point is that the very action of getting out of bed in the morning carries some level of risk. The more we understand what poses risks in each activity, the better we can prepare ourselves for safe and enjoyable outcomes.

I do agree that the ocean is powerful and can be unforgiving. My personal approach here though is not to necessarily to subject yourself to crashing waves and water being forced in every opening in your body and using that as a litmus test of whether I would be a good candidate for scuba diving. Instead, I took the approach of "stacking the deck" in my favor. Meaning, I took what I believe to be fantastic training. And I surrounded myself with likeminded, very competent divers. My approach was not the cheapest. And it wasn't the fastest. But I believe my approach (one that many others took long before me and many others followed after me) has consistently produced competent divers - leading to some divers progressing far enough to do some of the most challenging dives in the world.

Additionally, when it comes to diving, I have very narrow parameters for the kind of conditions (and dive buddies) I am willing to dive in. In the beginning, when I was just learning, the parameters were very very narrow. As I became more competent and more experienced, the parameters expanded but still remained in place. As an example, I don't do beach dives if I can't easily and reliable enter and exit. I poll other divers to see what conditions are like before I get in the water - here in California, it is not unusual to get into the water and find a ton of surge. In those cases, the dives might not even be worth it.

I don't believe you need to be a super human to dive proficiently and safely. You just need to identify the conditions by which you will be comfortable to go diving. In the beginning, that might be clear days in shallow water (20ft). Later on, your experience and skill might let you be comfortable diving in conditions that would scare the poop out of diving instructors.

I guess that is a long way of saying that if the 3-5 day course is not doing it for you. Don't rush it. If there is room in the budget, consider taking a more comprehensive certification class.

Side note: When I got certified, I got buddied up with some random guy from the class. Even as a newb, I could tell that something was missing from my class. Anyway, as we progressed, I asked my buddy if he was considering getting more comprehensive training. He said no, that was a waste of money. Shortly thereafter, I saw him buy a $1k dive computer from the shop. He spent $250 on training and $1k on a computer. My advice to you, be willing to spend on training. Scuba, just like any other activity, is so much more fun when you are skilled at it.

I know I am wandering here but I have one final thought on "surrounding myself with competent divers". What I mean by competent divers aren't loudmouth, know it alls. And certainly not ones who espouse solo diving for new divers. Or divers who try to solve skill deficiencies with gear. I am talking about people who are thoughtful and seem like they are thinking several steps ahead. The divers you dive are just as crucial, if not more so, than the equipment you dive with. Your dive buddy will help you see trouble before it happens. And help you address issues that you cannot address yourself. They will help you balance out tasks so you do not get overwhelmed. And if fit hits the shan, your dive buddy is another resource to get you home safe.

Ok, to summarize:
1. Take your time, it is not a race. Anytime you feel things might get away from you, thumb it. Whether it is training or on a dive.
2. The quality of training you take is just as important, if not more important than your gear. Good training will help you identify what a good starting point is for the parameters for which you would be comfortable to go diving.
3. The quality of your dive buddy is just as important, if not more important than your gear. Choose them like getting home safe and sound depends on it.

 

[Alisa_MK_Reef]

Thank you @adobo I got my wings back and excitement. This is really encouraging write for a new future scuba diver.

 

[Reefkpr]

I was trying to create a post separately but it didn't let me. So I'm highjacking this beautiful video thread sorry @saf1. Those colors are just stunning btw so you are a scuba diver maybe you can give me some words of wisdom and some encouragement.

Two weeks ago I did a thing 2 days of classes to get scuba certified ( locally here in the pool, open dive next weekend and I'm terrified). I hit a mental block pretty hard on my second day of exercise when you take your mask off and putting back on. I threw a regulator a few times and immediately go up. My instructor keep shoveling the regulator back in my mouth I wasn't having it The freak moment I forget to breathe via the regulator after I blow my mask off. A bit of tinny water in my nose I tend to breathe through my nose right after. And a little bit of water I'm in panic mode literally just panic. I only cried all day feeling disappointed in myself and actually wanted to quit. Quitting is not an option. I do want to scuba dive to see all the beautiful creatures in their true habitat. I know this takes practice and I'm going back this Saturday to practice some more.
any advice or words of wisdom from all you scuba divers here

I was certified over 20 years ago and the mask exercise also caused me panic. The thing that helped me the most was when my mask is knocked off or during the exercise is to hold my nose for a couple of seconds to calm down, take a breath from the regulator then dawn the mask and clear. In time you will get used to it. Now I flood my mask on purpose to clear fog or to adjust strap. You'll get it.

 

[Alisa_MK_Reef]

I was certified over 20 years ago and the mask exercise also caused me panic. The thing that helped me the most was when my mask is knocked off or during the exercise is to hold my nose for a couple of seconds to calm down, take a breath from the regulator then dawn the mask and clear. In time you will get used to it. Now I flood my mask on purpose to clear fog or to adjust strap. You'll get it.

Hi Phillip good to see you here.
Thanks so much really appreciate it I’m glad I’m not the only one and that gives me hope. Btw your corals are all thriving in my tank happy and healthy.

 

[Paul B]

My dream vacation Tahiti

Alisa there is a problem diving in Tahiti. After you dive there, you don't want to dive any other place and that is a problem because as you know, we don't live around the corner from Tahiti and can't go there every week.

Nothing like it.





After you get certified I have a great trip for you to take. But it will spoil you.