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I’m headed to Cozumel tomorrow, then going to Isla Holbox. I am packing fairly light, not bringing my own BCD or regs. My dive shop has a flat fee for most rental gear, and stocks the same fins I own. I was thinking of just bringing my computer, mask, boots, and possibly fins, but I can’t decide...

That’s really good to know! Thanks. Unfortunately, we are going to delay the open water course for now. She actually has some ear issues that may or may not prohibit equalizing. That was one of the other reasons I wanted to go free dive, so she could see how her ears felt at 10 feet deepor so...

Well obviously, but when you're just looking for a random lake to go to and you don't live near any of them or know where the non-lifeguarded swimmable spots are (that are accessible and where you won't get kicked out immediately by a park ranger or have specific dangers), you don't know what...

Yeah, I figured there was some kind of explanation like this. It's just so shocking to me as someone who has always associated lakes and pools as places you would naturally go to free dive/hold your breath and go down deep. Like that's part of the experience?? Thanks for the information.

Rant incoming! I posted here previously about working with my partner on some basic water skills to make sure she felt prepared for her Open Water course. I specifically wanted to practice breathing and swimming with a mask and snorkel. We joined the local YMCA, only to be told by a lifeguard...

That's so cool! I got swimming lessons in my public school physical education classes in the midwestern US, and we also got boating safety classes (not on a boat, just in a classroom) because boating is common in my home state. Of course, not everyone left those required public school swimming...

Thanks everyone for your tips! We did our first practice session today and made good progress. She started by just dipping her nose/face in the water while holding her breath, then hummed while dipping her nose and mouth to blow steady bubbles, then was able to submerge/dip repetitively in the...

This is great, thank you very much.

Yes, it seems like soft palette closing could be key. I'm trying to understand exactly what that is. Let's say I was making an extended "ng" sound, and then I abruptly stop it, with the same mechanism that I'd use to switch to switch from the "ng" to a hard "g" or "k" (except without letting...

Wow, thanks for the thorough write up!

Yeah this is what I was thinking. Even if I got a brand new GoPro, which I don't have the extra money for anyway and wasn't planning on buying, the new GoPro would still benefit from additional lights. So I figure that my money might go farther improving the setup I already have. Thanks for...

I have the Hero 4, a red filter, and a multipurpose foldable selfie stick/monopod that I've been using as my setup for my early dives. I'm not on a Backscatter/professional budget, but I figure that for around $50-$150. I can probably add a basic rig and enough light to improve my video quality...

…hence these pre-course pool visits that I am planning. I’m a former swim instructor, lifeguard, competitive swimmer and college water polo player. We will be practicing the 200m swim, the 10 minute water treading, and other water skills. The answer to someone being a “rusty” swimmer or lacking...

Thanks, I guess it is also helpful to hear from people who have learned it as an adult, specifically for the Open Water course! I was just saying that because I was anticipating a lot of comments like "if you can't submerge your head then maybe diving isn't for you" or whatever. I've seen...

Hi friends! I'm helping someone prepare for their Open Water course, and we're going to be hitting the local pool soon for some swimming/water treading practice in advance of the course. I learned that despite spending a lot of time in/around the water growing up, she's not comfortable being...

Yeah I hear you. It’s not about “babysitting,” just about the fun and enjoyment of experiencing things simultaneously, being on a parallel schedule, etc. It would be fun to watch her learn, but I totally understand how that could be stressful. I contacted a few dive shops that came highly...

Nah, it would defeat the purpose of the trip. We're on a budget, and it would cost hundreds of dollars more to even just do pool sessions locally and OW checkout dives in Coz, without saving all that much time. Add on hundreds more to do the OW checkout dives locally, plus travel time and...

Totally agree. I think this is the move. Audience = pressure.

Oh man when I was a teenager I definitely would have banned my parents from participation! There's a reason it's way less stressful to learn to drive a car with an instructor than it is with your mom or dad! I'm gonna leave it up to my girlfriend and the dive op, but mostly so far we just think...

Being an expert and being a teacher are two VERY different things. That's hilarious.