newbie "first dive" experiences questions

[lv929]

Well I've done a try dive and two lessons (bsac) in a 4m pool. I really really want to learn to do this, and so far have managed to conquer enough fear to do:

Stride jump into deep water
Mask clearing at 4 metres (not fully flooded we ran out of time but I think that's be OK)
Regulator purge at 4 metres
bouyancy control at a range of depths 0-4m
ascending from 4 metres unaided by using bcd
assembling a regulator etc

My question is this: if you can remember back that far, were you scared at any point when learning? I seem to have moments of great elation when I can't believe what I am doing, then moments of complete Oh shit.

Put it another way, did you ever think you weren't going to be able to do it?

All encouragement gratefully received thankyou

[Hazel W]

keep going ....... you will always have the elated followed by the oh shit moments .... but its gets easier

Best of luck
Hazel

[Odin]

A good start, you are aware that you are not immediately an expert!
mask clearing is the skill most people initially hate. You seem to be aquiring this skill, and just now need to progress to full removal replacement.
Looks as if you have good instructors.
Keep up the enthusiasm, and look forward to diving in the briny!
paul

[Clare Gledhill]

Originally Posted by lv929

My question is this: if you can remember back that far, were you scared at any point when learning? I seem to have moments of great elation when I can't believe what I am doing, then moments of complete Oh shit.

Put it another way, did you ever think you weren't going to be able to do it?

Yup - many, many times - including two weeks ago when I made a complete a$$ of myself on a course I found learning to mask clear really, really hard and at one time thought I just wasn't going to get it - ever I had only learnt to swim a couple of months before starting to learn to dive and I just was not comfortable enough in the water.

Being cautious about the unknown is normal. I When I had to jump off the back of a boat for my first night dive into black water I really had to push myself, but knowing that you can always stop, call the dive and get out if you can't get comfortable is helpful - so now if I am unhappy about anything I just tell myself to try it for a few minutes to see if I relax - and up until now I always have

I met a girl when diving two weeks ago who was really upset - she had gone in for her first open water dive and panicked, got out and gone to get changed - which is wher I met her. She was in tears sayign that she wanted to learn to dive but was clearly not cut out for it. When she eventually came to see that she had made it into the water and now, when she went back, would know what to expect, she felt a little better and went back the following day and competed dives 1 and 2. I hope that she has now finished her course.

Practice, practice, practice - nothing better. When I had a bad dive a couple of months ago because my mask kept fogging up every two or three minutes, I had to keep clearing it whilst continuing to keep up with the group. I eventually decided to keep it half full of water so by looking down it would clear and then allowed myself a little chuckle that the girl who cried because she couldn't clear her mask in the pool had clearly come on a little

So remember - you will continue to improve with time in water, and you will continue to make progress so that things that seem hard today become easier (then you find other things you can't do ) Above all, have fun - you are entering a wonderful world

XXXXX

[nigelH]

Originally Posted by lv929

My question is this: if you can remember back that far, were you scared at any point when learning? I seem to have moments of great elation when I can't believe what I am doing, then moments of complete Oh shit.

Everybody has them.

Mask clearing was my big hatred. Oh it was wonderful when the OW course was signed off and I would never have to take my mask off again.

Somehow when, a few months later, I was following a buddy too closely and got my mask virtually kicked off my face it was just an annoyance not a big deal anymore. Straighten it up, get the strap back in place, clear it, carry on with the dive.

[Mr T.]

Originally Posted by divebiatch

keep going ....... you will always have the elated followed by the oh shit moments .... but its gets easier

Best of luck
Hazel

Bingo. I doubt there's been a diver yet who didn't have the thoughts and feelings you're having currently. We all had to learn once!

Good luck and keep up the skills practice!

[Finless]

No problem being in or under water for me. It all seemed such a natural thing to do when I learnt.

Of course, now I know about lots of things that can go wrong + finally accepting I am not immortal has changed my perspective a bit.

Keep it up, you have picked a brilliant "way of life".

[Tony F]

Originally Posted by lv929

Put it another way, did you ever think you weren't going to be able to do it?

Yes!

And I still get the odd moment when I realise the next step is a challenge but with practise and a little time and effort it all comes together in the end. Just don't be rushed, take it at your own pace the water will always be there.

Many congratulations on your excellent achievements to date, welcome to our world

[SoggyFox]

practice practice practice, train hard fight easy. Even when you've finished your course keep the skills going if you can find a buddy to go to the pool with you.

it took me a while to get mask clearing, i can do it but not nice.

all things come to those who wait.

[MATTBIN]

Originally Posted by lv929

Well I've done a try dive and two lessons (bsac) in a 4m pool. I really really want to learn to do this, and so far have managed to conquer enough fear to do:

Stride jump into deep water
Mask clearing at 4 metres (not fully flooded we ran out of time but I think that's be OK)
Regulator purge at 4 metres
bouyancy control at a range of depths 0-4m
ascending from 4 metres unaided by using bcd
assembling a regulator etc

My question is this: if you can remember back that far, were you scared at any point when learning? I seem to have moments of great elation when I can't believe what I am doing, then moments of complete Oh shit.

Put it another way, did you ever think you weren't going to be able to do it?

All encouragement gratefully received thankyou

Every night before my next step up the Padi OW ladder I was worried I wouldnt get it. I hated mask removal and only by sheer will power did I summon up enough courage to do it. I practiced and practiced until it was second nature, which really helped when it was kicked off in Stoney at 28m in 5c. So yes you are by no means alone in thinking I'll never get this diving lark. What you have done so far is brilliant and dont ever forget you are in an alien environment that we left about a million years ago, 3 hrs in a pool is but a drop in the Ocean in re-training our brains.
Keep going.

Best wishes
Matt