GI0Ria
Contributor
This last weekend in Feb. I went to do my Open Water Certify in Monterey. First off I wasn't notified by my Dive Shop that I was going to have to carry all my equipment and six tanks from Sacramento to Monterey in my Mustang. I went to exchange a mask 2 days before we left for Monterey, turned around to leave and learned I was forgetting all my gear. We were not informed that we wouldn't have time between dives to go get something to eat, so to bring food/ice chests etc... as well chairs/tarps, to lay out our gear. Once we got to the location in Monterey, it was raining- enough said. First dive I was left by myself on the top of the water still swimming to the float where my son waited for me, however all the instructors and the dive master was already down doing check offs. I was feeling a little clostophobic in the hood, first time I had one on, and a little anxiety because i was still swimming, my son looking down saying he couldn't see anyone. As I approached the float an instructor surfaced and told me to hurry and dove back down said he was going to check off some kids. By that time i was almost at hyperventilate stage, I got to the float and rested til i felt comfortable enough to go down, when an instructor surfaced I went down, however- it wasn't my buddy. The next dive my son and I were left on top of the water again and we were lost for about 5 mins. When they finally surfaced and we came out of the water my son was so sick from being nervous we couldn't do our last dive of the day. The following day- I had a different person/instructor helping me into swells around 10ft, it was during high tide, long story short I got flipped on my back, and got blamed for basically us getting hit by the wave. My finger was cut open bleeding all over- I didn't dive any further, my son finished two more dives. But didn't dive the last dive. The whole experience was HORRIBLE. What is more horrifying is I got to go back out there with this dive shop to finish my dives to certify. PLEASE if you are a new diver, ASK about every single detail of what is going to be expected of you with the equipment, and what is expected of you at the Ocean, and what you should bring to help with your comfort, if it is a all day thing. This was so awful, I wouldn't wish this experience on anyone. ** Please note*** I loved being under water it was awesome, --- just pick your people wisely!!
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