, but two of these students were women in their late fifties who wanted to dive, but were understandably a bit nervous. It was hard for both ladies to understand that they simply shouldnt inhale through their nose, and therefore they inhaled the water that they hadnt been able to clear, started choking and freaked out. Both quit after struggling with this for a second day.
I am close to these ladies age so I can relate.
I have a very hard time clearing a mask with a snorkel, but I can do it effortlessly with a reg. I can clear a full flooded mask in the tub with out a snorkel.
Its really hard for me to clear a mask with a snorkel. (but its very easy with a reg)
One of the reasons I QUIT during my first OW attempt was because I tried so many times clearing my mask with a snorkel that I got a terrible ear/sinus infection.
The aniexty of not being able to clear my mask with a snorkel, the added pain all the practicing brought to my ears caused me to be nervous about everything....I couldnt even remove and replace my weight belt.
Hind sight is 20/20...but I think if I had been able to breath on the regulator in the 4 feet end of the pool and just played around for an hour a night for a few days, then my comfort level would have improved enought to finish the class.
My story turned out well.
I am so sorry those ladies quit. I read and read and got more informed. Practiced wt belt skills in the Living Room, donned and doffed my BC a million times in the kitchen, and then got private lessons, (because I hated slowing down the rest of the class). It worked for me.
I hate to admit it , but I would have done fine in my 20's or 30's.. but now at 49, my reactions arent as fast and my old fat tired body doesnt respond as fast. I did succeed at this age, I was just slower than the rest of the class. It took me longer to reach my comfort level.