JJTNJ
Guest
I just did my first open water, guided tour dive in over twenty years. I had taken a scuba refresher last month so that was helpful.
What I learned:
a.) Don't forget that if using the purge button to clear water, use your tongue to stop water going into your mouth, causing you to cough. It's scary to be in a coughing, swallowing water situation 30 feet under the water. I suggest practicing this in a pool a lot so that if it happens under the sea you'll be cool.
b.) Your buddy can't be relied on. I did a final check with my buddy and I was dismissed as if I was a waiter asking if he wanted more coffee. He said, "I've done so many dives, I'm ready." He didn't check me either so I did a final check of myself. He was by my side for the swim to the dive site, but once down there he was off on his own. I'm glad the divemaster stayed by me.
c.) Once in the water on your belly, you can probably tighten the weight belt a bit more than you could have on land.
d.) make sure your rental fins are tight. I lost one and had to pay the company 65 dollars.
e.) Swimming back to shore I actually got seasick because the kelp is swaying one way, the particles in the water are moving another, and the sea is undulating another, while I'm moving straight. So I lifted my head and focused on the shore. I didn't experience the seasickness while scuba diving. But at the shallow surface it's a dizzying effect. I've never heard of that happening to anyone.
f.) Okay, don't laugh. The zipper on a wetsuit goes in the back. heheheh
I'm so glad I got this dive under me. I look forward to more and more dives now that I'm back in action with scuba.
The divemaster was very helpful and I tipped him 40 dollars.
What I learned:
a.) Don't forget that if using the purge button to clear water, use your tongue to stop water going into your mouth, causing you to cough. It's scary to be in a coughing, swallowing water situation 30 feet under the water. I suggest practicing this in a pool a lot so that if it happens under the sea you'll be cool.
b.) Your buddy can't be relied on. I did a final check with my buddy and I was dismissed as if I was a waiter asking if he wanted more coffee. He said, "I've done so many dives, I'm ready." He didn't check me either so I did a final check of myself. He was by my side for the swim to the dive site, but once down there he was off on his own. I'm glad the divemaster stayed by me.
c.) Once in the water on your belly, you can probably tighten the weight belt a bit more than you could have on land.
d.) make sure your rental fins are tight. I lost one and had to pay the company 65 dollars.
e.) Swimming back to shore I actually got seasick because the kelp is swaying one way, the particles in the water are moving another, and the sea is undulating another, while I'm moving straight. So I lifted my head and focused on the shore. I didn't experience the seasickness while scuba diving. But at the shallow surface it's a dizzying effect. I've never heard of that happening to anyone.
f.) Okay, don't laugh. The zipper on a wetsuit goes in the back. heheheh
I'm so glad I got this dive under me. I look forward to more and more dives now that I'm back in action with scuba.
The divemaster was very helpful and I tipped him 40 dollars.