Finally going to get certified (I Hope)

[RockyTop]

Posted this in the Introduction forum as well.

Just discovered the board a few days ago and have enjoyed the reading so far.

I am scheduled to take my open water course the 25th of this month. I am excited and very much looking forward to it. I have always wanted to do it but just never got around to it. Now is finally the time.

I love being underwater and always have. I have fished underwater with a mask and speargun since I was about 8 years old. I am now 31. I do this in creeks in average depth of about 5-8 ft.

I have always prided myself on being a great undewater swimmer with the ability to hold my breath longer than most people. Unleaning what I have learned is going to be tricky, however.

I can already see that my biggest obstacle is going to be the mask floooding. I can clear the mask with no trouble.

I dont panic but when I remove my mask water goes into my nose and I am unable to breath in or blow out my nose. I try and just cant get my body to respond. I eventually have to surface because I cant make myself start breathing again.

I am not afraid to try it and feel confident i will be able to get it with practice, its just not going to be easy.

Its actually a bit humbling for someone that has spent their entire life swimming underwater not to be able to something that seems so simple.

 

[JC Fedorczyk]

I finished part of my OW this past weekend. The mask flooding is a lot easier then you think. Practice in a pool if you have one before the class or any shallow water. I did that with my girlfriend who had the same concerns as you. Try just sticking your head under water and exhaling through your nose. If you can clear a mask with no problem then this shouldn't be that bad. Just start slow and work up to the removal.

 

[jbichsel]

Understood. Some people take a bit longer to get used to water being on their face and exhaling through the nose. Here are a couple of suggestions to hopefully help:

Practice inhaling through your mouth and exhaling through your nose while watching TV, driving, taking a bath with your face in the water, in the shower with water running on your face. Anytime, anywhere you can practice it, get into a habit.

Now put on your mask and do the same.

Hope this helps.