mberzin
New
So i'm a fairly new diver, I certified in Guam where I completed around 9 dives. All these dives were boat dives in 80 degree clear as ice water with little to no weight. I moved back to the states and about a year after my last dive in Guam I attempted another dive in exact opposite conditions, it was a shore dive in 50 degree water, full suit plus hood and 25lbs of weight not to mention foggy water. This was by far my worst dive, I couldn't get comfortable with so much weight digging into my stomach and was so cold despite the suit. Worst of all I couldn't equalize so I couldn't even get to 20 feet. After the dive the instructor told me I should take Benadryl or Sudafed the night before to help with equalizing. Is this a good idea?
It's been almost another year since my bad experience dive and I'm vacationing in Costa Rica where I plan on diving again at Catalina Island. I've read that the dive sites require a more experienced diver that can descend quickly without an anchor or rope and also that can deal with heavy tides. I've never had to deal with either of those conditions plus I know that there are sharks to add to my tension. I'm just afraid of having another bad experience that will deter me from diving which I love so much!
So can anyone tell me if I would not be well suited to dive there or any advice about the Catalina Island site would be helpful!
Also I tend to have a lot of trouble equalizing some times and zero trouble other times. I guess it ties in with me being sick or just getting over a cold? Is there an OTC way of dealing with the equalizing if I have a little sniffle the day of the dive? I am very sensitive to meds so I wouldn't want it to make me loopy while underwater.. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!!
It's been almost another year since my bad experience dive and I'm vacationing in Costa Rica where I plan on diving again at Catalina Island. I've read that the dive sites require a more experienced diver that can descend quickly without an anchor or rope and also that can deal with heavy tides. I've never had to deal with either of those conditions plus I know that there are sharks to add to my tension. I'm just afraid of having another bad experience that will deter me from diving which I love so much!
So can anyone tell me if I would not be well suited to dive there or any advice about the Catalina Island site would be helpful!
Also I tend to have a lot of trouble equalizing some times and zero trouble other times. I guess it ties in with me being sick or just getting over a cold? Is there an OTC way of dealing with the equalizing if I have a little sniffle the day of the dive? I am very sensitive to meds so I wouldn't want it to make me loopy while underwater.. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!!