Vegas

omg, I am humble girlie today.

training dive yesterday...plan was 140', 40 minutes +deco. Diving EAN28, deco on EAN 50, and 100% O2.
Our mission included taking several measurements on
a couple of wrecks, along with depth readings, and compass headings. (much too much to do in one dive, with the point being to pay attention to time over tasks, and call it at the appropriate time regardless of what we get done....that was the plan.)

I wish I could say I performed beautifully....but I won't lie.
...I did, however, learn ALOT.

Here are just a few of the things I learned....

I learned that if you take along equipment as 'back-up', you had better be prepared to rely on it. period. (I had a back up computer crap out before we dove so my back up was an analog wristwatch with a depth gauge - not the easiest thing to rely on when one challenge we were suprised with included handing our computers over to our instructor right before our decompression began. ...and I learned.)

I also have first-hand experience now on how task loading and narcosis can be "a rolling snowball".
(....and maybe how being cold can add to that as well.)
How the first thing that happens, and throws you off balance, if you don't handle it and regain composure, becomes another thing...and another...and another. (...and I learned)

I really thought I knew that sometimes the smartest thing one can do at certain times is thumb the dive...(it's not like I never called a dive before)....But I can say for sure that I know it much better now.

And I learned that if your ego is a bit bruised from some poor performance early in the dive, do not give in to that feeling. You are still underwater, and therefore must still be paying attention and doing your best, not beating yourself up....because, in the middle of your sulking...it may be your instructor handing you and your teammate a note (or it might be the real thing) telling you that your EAN50 gas is Lost, and you have to make do with what you have, rely on your contingency for just such a problem, and deco without it. (and I learned some more).

So, was it a great dive?
um.....

It was a great learning experience. Let's stick with that. -and right now, that IS the point.
(but I STILL love being down where it's dark and spooky...)
....I just still have lots to learn and practice.

practice practice practice practice practice practice.

__________________
-The power behind me is greater than the task before me.

MgicTwnger

Yep.

__________________
I am not the one who needs mental help. I just need to vent.

Vegas

Today's dive showed HUGE improvement over last week - I had a GREAT time!! I was much more relaxed, took my time, and even with "gremlins" about (instructor's buddy "pick-pocketing" some of our gear) - lol - I felt 100 times more comfortable (even while carrying two bottles this week).

We hit a max depth of 156' - with a plan to be there (or up to 165' if need be - which there wasn't) for 30 minutes, taking some measurements on a couple of wrecks. My teammate hit his thirds so we turned a bit early.

I was given the cue to go OOA (drill) on our way back, and that went ok - not "lovely", but OK.

I'm no where near as graceful doing my gas switches as I'd like to be, but I can get the job done...I'll work on prettying it up with practice practice practice....

hmmm... what else... I should mention that I really would love to be diving dry these days...the lake is 58 degrees on the surface right now, and the air temp today didn't break 45 degrees (I think) ... I'm layering up as much as I can and it's just barely doing the job. It's pretty darn chilly during deco though. brrrr.... So a drysuit has made it right near the top of my shopping list.

I'm gaining alot of understanding of myself, how I react to depth, stress, cold, narcosis, etc.

This has been alot of work so far ... and I wouldn't have it any other way. You just have to figure, If you dive long enough - the s**t will hit the fan eventually - and i'd much rather be one of the ones that got to practice what to do when that happens....than to be sitting underwater with that deer-in-the-headlights look on my face, getting more narc'ed by the minute...you know?

I love the training I'm getting. I love my instructor, and I LOVE tech diving. I don't love that feeling of being so "new"...but, once again, the only remedy for that is P-R-A-C-T-I-C-E!!

Next dive is Planned for January 1st....

__________________
-The power behind me is greater than the task before me.

Scuba Mama

Hey Vegas,

I knew you were hooked on this diving stuff from the beginning. BTW what is OOA.

ScubaMama

Scuba Mama

Hey Vegas,

I am trying again on this board. What is OOA?

h2odragon1

Are you serious??
OOA- Out-Of-Air

Vegas

Yup, that's right - Out Of Air. ... aka "S-drill" to my instructor (but in my mind, for some reason, "s-drills" include valve shut-downs - oh well, tis neither here nor there I suppose)

you were absolutely right Scuba Mama! I remember you, and I think MgicTwnger too, commenting on my enthusiasm after my open water class in 1' surface chop, cold wind, rocky shore, 2' vis, freezing water...when I came on and said I LOVED it - you guys KNEW I was HOOKED!! lol!

(Wow - It really doesn't seem like that was almost 2 years ago! - wow!

----and look at me now! ----

(well, I'm trying to attach a photo - maybe in another post....)

__________________
-The power behind me is greater than the task before me.

Vegas

...here we go....

....and just look at me now!! (still wearing that "I'm about to go diving" smile!)


the photo thing is not working as an attachment - but the link is to the photo in the gallery - click on it and see me!

I think it's a lovely portrait!

__________________
-The power behind me is greater than the task before me.

Vegas

It's been a couple of months, and I have worked my butt off (and froze it off a bit too!). I've had good days, and not so good days...and some days where I felt so humbled I could only hang my head, and try to figure out how to do better next time.

I will write of the details of todays dive, drills, etc. sometime soon...am much too tired right now. I'll just say it was absolutely beautiful, and I loved every frosty minute of it!

....but I do want to tell you right now that... I did it! I've earned my first tech certs. Advanced Nitrox and Deco Procedures (and equivalent) from:
TDI,
IANTD,
and
D-SAT.
(yes, all three).
...and I DO mean EARNED. LOL!
I cannot sing the praises of my instructor loud enough!

and we all know what happens now, right?
LOL!
practice practice practice practice practice (and that's STILL my favorite part!)

thanks for coming along on this journey with me!

__________________
-The power behind me is greater than the task before me.