Hit the pool today

[looped]

With mask, snorkel to practice breathing thru mouth etc etc. Found out I've been a nose breather my whole life . Gonna take some training to get over that problem.

I also had some issues with my mask sealing properly. It seemed to be fine in the shop, also seemed fine when I started the snorkel breathing. Seemed to get worse as the time went on. I dont know if I was breathing thru my nose and partially breaking the seal on exhale or not.

Think everyone at the pool thought I was a kook with my mask and snorkel just hanging out in water that I could stand up in and just squatting and practicing breathing, funny how wierd it is to make yourself breath under the water. Cant wait til I start my classes and get to breath underwater 'for real'

I see lots of pool time in my future before the classes start..

 

[Rogue_Diver]

Just about everyone here started in a pool. Most of us needed to practice one skill or another too. Keep practicing, you'll get it.

 

[shark_tamer]

They say " Practice makes perfect " ..... Don't give up !!!!

:14: And by the way , welcome to the board !!!

 

[ScottB]

I'm a nose breather myself.. I find if I pinch my nose for a breath or two it helps me to breath through my mouth.. then I can let go and continue to breath through just my mouth I think it's just a psychological thing.. but it works for me.. might work for you..

Takecare

 

[spectrum]

Keep at it. You are doing yourself a world of good by dealing with this before class.

Pete

 

[looped]

Keep at it. You are doing yourself a world of good by dealing with this before class.

Pete

Oh, it's been the thing that I KNOW I have to get over. I knew it was going to be a 'speedbump' for me, hence the working on it NOW, as opposed to then. I've got the whole winter to practice . Plus, I need to get into a little better shape, and nothing like working on the breathing for a while, then just hanging out in the pool and swimming, treading, walking whatever, working out and getting some workout time also.

 

[spectrum]

As you get comfortable with the mask pull the fins on and start swimming laps in your skin-diving gear. Your legs will be cramp proofed before you hit class. Be sure to work on a nice full legged flutter kick for starters.

Pete

 

[1_T_Submariner]

As others have said Practice Practice and ohhh yeah practice. You seem to have a great attitude/determination to get it. You will.

 

[shakeybrainsurgeon]

If the mask/breathing thing seems unnatural to you, welcome to the club. There isn't much about diving that is natural, it's all learned behavior. The first time I stood on the back of a dive boat over a seventy-foot deep ocean, I thought "why would someone jump into this water with about sixty pounds of steel strapped to them with nothing but a plastic bit in the mouths separating them from drowning?" But you get over it.

 

[looped]

BTW, thanks to everyone for the tips, encouragement and the welcome. Great place

I'll keep the fins close by for down the road some. Cant wait to get the looks when I break those out lol.. I was asking today at the rec center I'm a member of if they allow scuba gear (which I can understand NOT allowing, as they are used to looking at moving people, not people staying underwater for minutes on end) and they looked at me like I had 3 arms when I mentioned something about scuba. Oh well, their loss, hopefully my gain, and membership into the 'cool kids club'