Hi to all, you've been a great help! Thanks for the tip of rubberbands down the back of my hair. Mask strap much easier to say in place. Hair stayed out of the way. I did much better with bouancy. I had better control. I found that if you lean back too far under water looking up that first it's more work to breath but second, I managed to get a little water down my throat! Not sure if I opened my mouth a little or took it in through my breathing apparatus.(Got to learn the correct terminology!) I managed not to panic, but I was glad that a fairly quick ascent was okay. If I had been deeper, well I don't want to practice that! The instructor says I'm doing great, but I think he's just a great instructor! Oh, I also learned that I need to get in shape so exercise here I come! I was a little anxious but I guess that's okay. Again, thanks for being here! Dawn