Hi Kirsten-
I can't tell you how alike we are. The first course I took last Sept., I had a very hard time clearing my mask, and I would feel like I was strangling, which of course made it very hard to stay under. I also am NOT a natural mouth breather, and found I was still trying to breathe through my nose. I hated the way it felt when any water would be touching my nose in my mask (I suppose it was a "snotty nose" feeling and I didn't like it at all). So, I swallowed a lot of water (ewww) and I stayed pretty frustrated. I also was amazed (and somewhat dismayed) that EVERY other person in my class (it was me and 6 firefighters!) did each skill the first freaking time they tried, and looked like pros. Physical endeavors had always been fairly easy for me, (I mean, I was a lifeguard in H.S.!) and this stressed me out that I had such a hard time. But, I REALLY wanted to dive. (Though I did quit once, I went back). If you really want to dive, you will be able to work through the problems. If you're not doing it for YOU, however, it will be hard to work through things.
I worked with my instructor in private lessons, where he just had me swim around in the shallow end, practicing my breathing. This was so nice- much more fun than trying to do the skills. I started understanding why people even want to do this thing! I got to watch the lap swimmers, check out the pool lights, tiles, hair balls, etc...while learning to relax and just breathe and trust my regulator. I began to "mini-clear" my mask on my own as I swam- each time gaining a bit more confidence about doing it. I stayed down for 30 min. the first time I did this- I was so proud! And I had a good time (for the first time). The next time I went to the pool, I cleared my flooded mask a bit better, but I still had some problems that frustrated me. However, I did get to swim in the deep end that night, and even though it was a little scary, I began to feel more comfortable. After that night, however, my instructor told me that he would be moving in a month, and that he couldn't teach any more lessons. So- I got upset at first, thinking that I would never be a diver. But I started taking lessons from another instructor (an hour from my home- my town is small), and the first night he gave me a purge mask to try. I LOVED IT. If you haven't tried one yet, do it. Your instructor/dive shop should have some rentals or something for you to try. You will probably find that you can clear it much easier, I sure can. And that night is the night that I played in the deep end and realized that I WILL be a diver. And it was good. Also, try As for the vision issue, I wear contacts and didn't wear them with my first instr. The new one insisted that I wear them. Any skills that are done with mask removed, floods, etc., I do with my eyes closed. He will tap my forehead to let me know when it is cleared. For some reason, it's much easier for me to do these type skills with my eyes closed, rather than to be trying to see blindly without my contacts. I've swam beside him with my eyes closed on some practice ascents, holding his arm. It actually helped me to relax and just remember that I can breathe as long as my reg is in my mouth, so it's okay for me to take my time doing my skills, even with my eyes closed. As long as you can breathe, there isn't really any reason to rush and get panicked. Talk to your instructors before you ever get in the water. Give them a copy of these posts, even and ask them to read where you are. But the main thing is, decide if you want to do this, or if it's just because someone else would like you to do it. When I realized that it was for me, not my husband (diver who is thrilled that I am finally coming around), then it made me more determined to make it. I will be doing my open water checkout dives in 3 wks. Give yourself all the time you need to be confident, don't rush. If you need to keep practicing before your checkout dives, then arrange to do it- don't feel like you have to complete everything in 3 days or 3 weeks. Find an instructor who doesn't rush you and who really wants you to be successful. I started in September! So, you needn't feel as if you're the slowest student ever, because I wear that crown. (Hey, you gotta be #1 at something!). But I am happy to say that I will soon be certified and I plan to go on with my training after that. So, hopefully my story and ideas will help you, because if I can do it, anyone can. PM me if you need any encouragement throughout your course.
Best wishes,
Foo