I was really geared up for this having had nearly 8months dry
(except a couple of 8m dives post bend but pre-op) - i'd cleaned and greased all my o-rings, packed my dry bag, packed my dive kit essentials (including a few bits of newly acquired lidl dive kit!), and made a short rope to clip kit onto the boat so i didn't have to hold it, and a rope sling to act as a step over the back of the rib when getting back in.
My club prepared a choice of shallow sites depending on weather and launch site etc, all my buddies refused to let me carry kit, and i had lots of volunteers to accompany me for my first shallow bimble through patches of kelp!
However - I was so NOT prepared for the psychological nature of this dive. I wasn't expecting to feel so shaken - i have been desperate to go diving again, and couldn't wait - but the morning of the dive i was so nervous i was nearly physically sick. I don't remember much about the dive, except the feeling that it was good to be back in the water. I was so annoyed and frustrated that i couldn't just get back in the water and take up where i left off.
A few buds reminded me that it might take a while to get dive fit, but ive been so desperate to dive that it just wasn't good enough that my mind wasn't ready!
Sooo...went in the pool session the other day, had a good mess around, played with some try divers (always fun!), turned somersaults etc, and felt fine...
had my second dive saturday - and i was (almost) back to normal.
15.6m, 45min dive, 5 mins deco, really enjoyed it - think it'll take me a couple more dives before i get back to 100%, but i feel much better about it now - even managed to get a "skill" signed off for my sports diver by doing a 5 min simulated deco stop!