New diver having a flap

[Edward3c]

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With the other two BOTH of them handed over the regulator upside down so the reg was never going to clear.
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That's a very good point.

If the Alternate Source (Octo) is coming from your buddy's right side. I.e. Your left, it's easy to put it in upside down. Hence why my club has them routed to the left side of our bodies so the reg is the right way up without having to kink the hose.

 

[GrandpaScuba]

I just had my 2nd session in the pool last night and I'm worrying because I feel so clumsy with everything! I love swimming underwater but I'm finding some of the skills a bit difficult -

That's the whole point of taking the classes. You also need to dive as much as possible. Eventually, you will begin to think of your equipment as an extension to your own body.

 

[dmaziuk]

That's a very good point. If the Alternate Source (Octo) is coming from your buddy's right side. I.e. Your left, it's easy to put it in upside down. Hence why my club has them routed to the left side of our bodies so the reg is the right way up without having to kink the hose.

Hopefully none of you are left-handed.

 

[Diver0001]

Hi all! Just signed up to this site as it seems like an excellent network for divers and I'm enjoying looking through some of the posts.

My name is Laura and I have started an OW course. I just had my 2nd session in the pool last night and I'm worrying because I feel so clumsy with everything! I love swimming underwater but I'm finding some of the skills a bit difficult - even simple things like clearing a regulator! After swallowing half the pool last night my instructor said the equipment wasn't very good although I suspect I may not have been blowing hard enough. I'm worried about having to do this 18m underwater! And it feels like we're being rushed through everything because there's so much to learn. Today my chest feels really uncomfortable which is nothing severe but I guess I just overexerted myself last night.

So I'm just having a bit of a flap really and maybe looking for some reassurance that everybody starts off like this! I'm so looking forward to getting in the sea but I want to make sure I'm ready for it.

Thank you so much for reading. Looking forward to learning even more about diving through this site.

Laura

You expected not to feel clumsy coming out of the gate?

It's a learning process, just relax into it and let it come as it does. If your instructor is any good he won't drag you through it at a tempo higher than you can handle. He's seen all of this before; all instructors have. Everyone learns in slightly different ways at slightly different paces. I would think your instructor probably already has a plan for getting you through it. What you can do to help yourself is to check all the worries at the door and just enjoy the process. The clumsiness will end as you get more time in the water and between where you're at right now and the end of the course, just have a chuckle at yourself when you think you're looking spastic.

Remember, relax into it and it will go a lot better. Nobody, least of all your instructor, is expecting you to look like a seasoned pro after an hour or two in the pool..... so you shouldn't either.

R..

 

[Mantawoman]

Moonfish,
I have to agree with gearhound. I think you are being too hard on yourself. I have had a few students over the years that feel all down after the first pool session because they did not master the skills the first time. (or the second or third, for that matter) I think your course is going at the fine pace, but remember that all of this is brand new and will take some patience in order to learn it well. How many tries did it take to learn to ride a two wheeler, or parallel park your car? Give it time, keep working and maintain a good attitude. You can do it!!!

 

[iamrushman]

Moonfish, i see you made a lot of friends....how are your classes going...keep us informed....we all love to follow new divers and watch their progress.

 

[Moonfish17]

Hi again! Just had my third session in the pool and it was so enjoyable! I'd spoken to the centre about extra sessions and now the group has been split into smaller groups, so it is just me and another lady with one instructor. And we can do the course over 7 weeks instead of 5 so we can take things a bit slower. Also we are using different regulators! Today we went over some of the things we've already done and it felt much more comfortable. I am so excited about getting in the sea! Thank you all for the advice and reassurance - you've been a BIG help! :luxhello: