edithjg
New
Hi,
This is my first post. I've been reading for a couple of weeks and everyone seems really nice.
Here is my delema:
I WAS taking a PADI OW course at Sierra College. I thought I would do great, but to my suprise the very 1st pool session didn't go so hot. The very first thing we did was go underwater (4ft) and just get used to breating through the regulator. At that point alone I felt closterfobic and very paniced. I ended up lasting a couple of minutes under water until the panic get full hold of me and I went up and left the pool. I was crying and a nervous wreck.
Later the instructor offered to do a private a no charge to get caught up to the class. I called him later that week and we went back to the pool.
I was very nervous, but we actually finished all module one skills! It wasn't easy, mentally, but I did it. I was very proud. I had come along way in my opinion from being too scared to just breath underwater to completing a whole set of skills.
I was then all caught up to join the class. I ended up completing half of module 2 skills (this time in deeper pool water 12ft). Again, not easy, but I was learning how to control my panic and relaxing a bit.
Then came the mask removal skill. I tried it 3 times and all the times I went up to the surface becasue I felt like water was going up my nose and I would choke. One of the times I even spit out the regulator half way coming up (I know, very bad).
After the 3rd time the instructor told me to get out of the pool and that maybe this wasn't for me. I got out and we talked later on when the class was taking a break. He said that if I still wanted to do this he recomended spending as much time in the pool with my snorkel and getting comfortable with my face in the water and that there was still room in the Fall semister class.
I've always felt VERY uncomfortable with my nose in the water. I've alwayed used one hand to plug it. I really want to learn how to scuba and I KNOW I can because most of my problem (the panic even when there is no reason to at all) and if anyone can control my mind it's me (even though it's much harder than it sounds).
Does anyone have any advice or have gone through similar situations. I don't want to be unsafe which is what I will be if I can't control myself. Help? Thanks.
PS. also any tips on that full mask removal skill would be greatly appreciated.
This is my first post. I've been reading for a couple of weeks and everyone seems really nice.
Here is my delema:
I WAS taking a PADI OW course at Sierra College. I thought I would do great, but to my suprise the very 1st pool session didn't go so hot. The very first thing we did was go underwater (4ft) and just get used to breating through the regulator. At that point alone I felt closterfobic and very paniced. I ended up lasting a couple of minutes under water until the panic get full hold of me and I went up and left the pool. I was crying and a nervous wreck.
Later the instructor offered to do a private a no charge to get caught up to the class. I called him later that week and we went back to the pool.
I was very nervous, but we actually finished all module one skills! It wasn't easy, mentally, but I did it. I was very proud. I had come along way in my opinion from being too scared to just breath underwater to completing a whole set of skills.
I was then all caught up to join the class. I ended up completing half of module 2 skills (this time in deeper pool water 12ft). Again, not easy, but I was learning how to control my panic and relaxing a bit.
Then came the mask removal skill. I tried it 3 times and all the times I went up to the surface becasue I felt like water was going up my nose and I would choke. One of the times I even spit out the regulator half way coming up (I know, very bad).
After the 3rd time the instructor told me to get out of the pool and that maybe this wasn't for me. I got out and we talked later on when the class was taking a break. He said that if I still wanted to do this he recomended spending as much time in the pool with my snorkel and getting comfortable with my face in the water and that there was still room in the Fall semister class.
I've always felt VERY uncomfortable with my nose in the water. I've alwayed used one hand to plug it. I really want to learn how to scuba and I KNOW I can because most of my problem (the panic even when there is no reason to at all) and if anyone can control my mind it's me (even though it's much harder than it sounds).
Does anyone have any advice or have gone through similar situations. I don't want to be unsafe which is what I will be if I can't control myself. Help? Thanks.
PS. also any tips on that full mask removal skill would be greatly appreciated.