The new world of scuba diving!

We are smack dead in the middle of our scuba diving lessons. Yes, we probably could be done by now but we've switched to private lessons, let me tell you why…

It started off a bit rocky as we were only able to get through half of our online classes due to an online issue that PADI was having on their end. We did complete the Nitrox course (which is another form of air mixture you can use to increase the time you can stay below the surface) but not the regular Scuba course. So when it came time to enter the classroom we were a bit behind in the knowledge department. PADI was unable to fix the issue until we were already in the pool and had started the course. While Jeremiah was ok, it made me feel uneasy from the beginning. I felt behind in knowing general stuff that I was taking guesses at, but I tried to push through. 

Then the REAL fun began. There was an unexpected heat wave here in California, it was a 111 degree day here on the west coast. We sat outside for a good 2 hours going through gear assembly and disassembly which wasn't too bad. Then it was time to load all the gear on our backs after we jammed our sweaty selves into a 7mm wetsuit. It was incredibly hot, two of the students fell out before the gear was even on. My panic started to set in as we walked about 50 yards towards the water and slowly made our way into the shallow end of the pool. 

This was an entirely new world for me. I had no idea how completely covered I'd feel from all the gear. It was like a snake was wrapped around my entire body haha! Again, I tried to push through my panic until it was time to breathe under the water. Everyone else, while standing in 4 feet of water...Thats 4 feet of terrifying pool water (trying to paint a picture of my thinking at this moment) happily bent over and put their faces under the surface and began breathing...Me? I put my face in, took a strange half-breath and then I popped my butt right back up, did a complete u-turn, walked over to the edge and quickly took the gear off my hands, face, head, back and feet. "This isn't happening" was my main thought...Jeremiah started to come over but was asked to allow an instructor to try to help me out, he agreed and continued with the class. 

After about 30 minutes of one-on-one instructor time I felt better, I caught up to the class skill steps and was able to rejoin them. The rest of the day was wonderful for both Jeremiah and I. We passed all the skill sets, swimming and hovering with flying colors and we felt really good about everything. It was fun! 

Day two started off the same way as it was incredibly hot once again and everyone seemed to be kind of scattered. Some students were ready to go with all their gear on and some were not. We were two of the ready ones, sitting there getting hotter and hotter...More uncomfortable and more uncomfortable. Just sitting there in 110 degrees, heart beating harder and harder, here comes the panic! 

Once everyone was finally ready, Jeremiah, who is my diving buddy, turned my air on and we could hear a leak from my gear. I calmly asked the instructors helper to check it out and he said it was fine. Well for me it wasn’t! Today the initial move was to step off the edge right into 12 feet of water. I had a potential leak and had every single fear you could imagine running through my head. So there it was, another onset of panic. I stood right up and off I went with all the gear and a head full of disappointment as I walked away once again. At this point I decided that the class setting wasn’t for me as I lacked confidence in myself and the gear. That combined with the pressure of keeping up with a class was enough for me to find another way. 

Jeremiah also had issues during the second day. The gear we were using was rental gear, it's not the best...It's not very good actually. He had trouble pulling air from the regulator which made him feel as if was short of breath constantly. He felt very uneasy, like he couldn't breathe correctly. The regulators we were using didn't have adjustments or anything, you just have what you have.

So Jeremiah and I spoke with the instructor and we came up with a different plan. 

The new plan is to continue the class but in a private lesson format. This starts in two weeks, it will take 3 days to complete the rest of the course. In the time leading up to this Jeremiah and I have decided to take the plunge and purchase all the gear needed rather than using the rental gear. So two complete sets of scuba gear, computer watches and all. 

We both found it very hard to breath with the rental gear which caused more anxiety while under the water, we're hoping that having quality equipment will help us both. Plus I'll feel more confident knowing that my gear is in good condition. Another cool thing is that the instructor has basically the same gear we've purchased and we will be trained on how to use it properly. It actually came in yesterday and we'll be going to pick it up in a few hours! 

Along with that, we've both decided to educate ourselves as much as we can with all that diving has to offer, doing so really allowed me to realize that everything under the sea isn’t out to attack you! 

So I'm focusing on the good few hours that we did have on the first day. IT WAS AMAZING! Jeremiah was doing bubble rings, we were hovering all over the place and we went down to 12 feet with no issues. It was really cool!! I can't wait to have my own gear on, more one-on-one instructor time and spend more time under water to gain confidence. I think this will be SO cool for when we're out on the water with Calypso which will start in just a few weeks!! 

Stay tuned for a post covering what gear we've selected and how much it is to purchase your own gear and to do the course itself! It's NOT cheap. It's very expensive actually. As always, please send me any questions!! 

Brittany