I panicked numerous times

[Teamcasa]

I agree with Walter on this. Find an instructor that will take the time to get your basic skills done, raise your confidence and comfort level well before returning back to any silty, cold dark pond.

 

[RonMurray]

Congratulations on handling a difficult situation. Poor vis can be very uncomfortable for experienced divers as well. Not only a little creepy but can also be very disorienting. That's a pretty tough dive for a new diver, but having gotten through it your doubts are understandable - but don't beat yourself up, you handled it and you are better for recognizing your weakness.

Ear clearing for many divers becomes much easier as they log more dives. My main dive buddy had a horrible time clearing for the first month or so after he was certified. Took him a long time to descend and invariably had a bloody nose at the end of the dive. Now, he clears easily, just took him some time and exercise of the eustachian tubes.

I also agree with one of your previous responders - it sounds like you did not panic (by definition the loss of rational thought) but were very uncomfortable which is understandable.

 

[ScubaDocER]

I guess the first question that I would as is "Were you diving in conditions similar to that in which you were trained?" If you were, then I concur with what others have posted in that you may need some remedial work or just additional diving with your Instructor. If they are not available then another Instructor or experienced dive buddy may be able to help. It sounds as if the issues you are having can be resolved with a little work, patience and guidance on how to equalize better on descent, control your buoyancy at depth, and problem solve at depth. Were you properly weighted?

If you were not diving in conditions similar to that in which you were trained then I would consider diving in places that have better viz and with more familiar surroundings to build your confidence. Diving requires time and patience, especially if you are a beginning diver. Each dive is different and will present different challenges. The goal is to be able to resolve those challenges relying on your training, by gaining additional experience with time underwater, and continue to become proficient at problem solving. You'll get it.

 

[micklock]

Newbie here,

Just recently I went on a fun dive and had a very difficult time. This was the first dive without an instructor and my buddy is very new also. The dive site was a pond which was very murky and I could only see a foot or 2 in front of me. The depth was probably not even 40 feet, but each time I descended I panicked. I forced myself to stay down for a few minutes but was very uncomfortable (could not clear my ears, could not see, breathing very hard). I probably ascended too quickly a few times.

This really bothered me. Not only that I could not work through it but also that it happened at all.

I am trying to figure out how to equalize my ears better bc that is something that makes the descent uncomfortable, as for getting back in the water, there is another dive coming up the end of the month that I should attend. I think getting back in the water soon is important however, I was freaked out!

All suggestions are welcome.
Thanks in advance.

We are diving Baw Beese Lake in Hillsdale thursday evening but it gets a little dark below 30' max depth we go is about 50'. The following thursday we are diving Lime Lake in Spring Arbor, it's only 25' to 30' deep it's better vis and you don't need a light. PM me if you would like to join us.

 

[Zerbini]

Low vis dives are not to be taken lighly.
My main dive site has a terrible visibility, basically to go anywhere we need a compass and at least a secondary light (there are guys who dive with their primary and secondary). If you get used to it, you will become a very hardened diver, but in the beggining you should focus un becoming a good diver, not a low vis especialist.

If there is anything from OW still unfunctional, have some pool classes to refine them. But if the problem was the difficult conditions of the dive, try changing to an easier place for now. Them when you get a little more experience come back to this one.

 

[micklock]

The best vis around here would be Whitestar Quarry or the shallow side of Gilboa, besides the Great Lakes of course.

 

[Randy43068]

Newbie here,

Just recently I went on a fun dive and had a very difficult time. This was the first dive without an instructor and my buddy is very new also. The dive site was a pond which was very murky and I could only see a foot or 2 in front of me. The depth was probably not even 40 feet, but each time I descended I panicked. I forced myself to stay down for a few minutes but was very uncomfortable (could not clear my ears, could not see, breathing very hard). I probably ascended too quickly a few times.

This really bothered me. Not only that I could not work through it but also that it happened at all.

I am trying to figure out how to equalize my ears better bc that is something that makes the descent uncomfortable, as for getting back in the water, there is another dive coming up the end of the month that I should attend. I think getting back in the water soon is important however, I was freaked out!

All suggestions are welcome.
Thanks in advance.

You're getting some very good advice here. If you want a couple of people to dive with I'll volunteer my girlfriend and I.

We'd be happy to dive Gilboa, White Star, or Portage sometime if you want to. We can start out very shallow and slow so you can gain some confidence and skill.

 

[openmindOW]

CathyT, thank you for your post. What happened is not your fault adn it is correctable. You can enjoy diving and find it to be fun, which it really is. Take another class with a different Instructor. I woud recommend re-taking the OW class, but if you do not want to do that, then considering taking a Peak Performance Buoyancy class.

Keep diving, CathyT.

 

[mjacobydc]

Hi CathyT
With your ear clearing start early on descent and clear often. It makes it much more comfortable. Good luck and don't give up.

 

[SeaHound]

I have been walking on my two feet all my life but walking in unknown territory in the dark where visibility is 1 feet would be a little uneasy for me. Fear of the unknown gets magnified. I personally think your uneasiness had more to do with the dive conditions and limited visibility than you not knowing diving.

I would do a few more dives in better visibility with experienced divers and then return back to low viz dive spot just to conquer the fear and uneasiness.

All the best.

Good luck.