ligersandtions
Contributor
In my OW class, I learned how to breathe from a regulator, how to clear it, kind of how to flood my mask and clear it, how to put my gear together and on me, and how to swim around with everything. That, imo, is not learning to dive.
After my class, I read a lot, went out with experienced divers, and taught myself pretty much everything I know. I've been out with divers who have said, "you only have xx dives?" or "who taught you to dive?" and have generally been complimentary....that makes me feel good because I didn't get much in the way of instruction. I do plan on taking a class or two in the future (nothing like my useless OW and AOW classes....but ones like UTD Essentials where I will really learn to dive and be a good buddy). I have a long way to go, but I feel like I've come a long way.
I also kind of self-taught myself how to dive in a drysuit. I had an experienced buddy take me out and she explained the basics (but I had already done my research online as well)....we did some drills, and when she couldn't get me to cork, we decided to just poke around and have fun. The best dive for learning to dive in a drysuit includes an "irregular" terrain....one where there are rocks or something that you want to go up and over a few feet above....that forces you to stay on top of venting the suit, and then adding more when you descend again. The first drysuit dive in that kind of conditions was probably the dive I learned the most from so far.
I also taught myself how to dive Nitrox, but have only done one dive on Nitrox....I think my buddy did not know I wasn't certified when they filled the tank, but that was okay because I had done plenty of reading and learning. I'll take the class when I feel like it, but I hate to think I will get crappy instruction and really just be paying for a plastic card again.
After my class, I read a lot, went out with experienced divers, and taught myself pretty much everything I know. I've been out with divers who have said, "you only have xx dives?" or "who taught you to dive?" and have generally been complimentary....that makes me feel good because I didn't get much in the way of instruction. I do plan on taking a class or two in the future (nothing like my useless OW and AOW classes....but ones like UTD Essentials where I will really learn to dive and be a good buddy). I have a long way to go, but I feel like I've come a long way.
I also kind of self-taught myself how to dive in a drysuit. I had an experienced buddy take me out and she explained the basics (but I had already done my research online as well)....we did some drills, and when she couldn't get me to cork, we decided to just poke around and have fun. The best dive for learning to dive in a drysuit includes an "irregular" terrain....one where there are rocks or something that you want to go up and over a few feet above....that forces you to stay on top of venting the suit, and then adding more when you descend again. The first drysuit dive in that kind of conditions was probably the dive I learned the most from so far.
I also taught myself how to dive Nitrox, but have only done one dive on Nitrox....I think my buddy did not know I wasn't certified when they filled the tank, but that was okay because I had done plenty of reading and learning. I'll take the class when I feel like it, but I hate to think I will get crappy instruction and really just be paying for a plastic card again.