OW class today did not go well

[boulderjohn]

Now that I have done more reading (thanks to the many links and posts here), I understand that it's good to be horizontal in the water, and while you are descending. Nonetheless, in two different OW classes (both PADI), I was always led to believe we should descend feet first. I'm not sure why it's (often?) taught this way - maybe there is a good reason.

I have read in numerous places that for those who have problems equalizing your ears, a feet-first ("vertical") descent makes it easier.

It was really just the descending part that bothered us and after our first attemp and going down so quickly not even having time to equalize our ears scared us both.

Feet first descents are very often taught for two reasons, and both of them are illustrated above.

Yes, it is easier to equalize with your head up. I have seen some people dispute that, but I am sure it is true from my own experience. I do my descents horizontally, and when I find myself having trouble equalizing a quick tilt of the head toward the surface usually takes care of it quickly.

The second reason is that people might find themselves in a rapid descent as described above. If you have trouble controlling your descent while you are at the same time having trouble equalizing, you could end up with a serious problem. With your feet under you, kicking gently can help control the speed of the descent.

People who are confident that they can control the speed of their descent without the need to kick and people who can equalize relatively easily are better off with a horizontal descent, for the reasons given by others.

 

[bwi_diver]

Hey don't worry about your first open water not going well. Back in 1973 when my wife and I got certified. It was in the August heat and we had to get into 1/4 wet suits. The quarry we dove in was 40 degrees on the platform at 30 Ft. Anyway by the time my wife got her suit on and out to the platform she was so over heated she couldn't dive. I went ahead and went down with a different buddy and she went back to the beach. She qualified in a local pond about a month later. I confirm the best thing is to learn on your own equipment. As far as descending vertically I think they recommend it because its better to run into something with your feet then your face. However being an old school skin and scuba diver I've always piked and when down head first in about a 45 degree descent leveling off at slight above my planned depth. As far as equilization, I'd recommend to check with an ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist or a diving doctor just to make sure you don't have a physical problem. I know for years I took an antihisamine that I knew would not make me drowsy especially in the fall when I had hey fever. I was also told that divers in the military have copper tubes put into their estachian tubes to assure they will stay open. Hang in there its worth the effort. My wife and I have been diving in the keys and bahamas and it is great. Welcome below.