bubbles

hi hi

I had my first confined 'dive' as part of the PADI Open Water course I have enrolled into. First session was a disaster, partly due I hope, to the fact I having a flu. I found that when I put my head under water breathing from the regulator was quite laboured.

I was aware of every breath I took and had to keep coming up for air. Is this normal for a nervous newbie like me. Are there any tips to help me relax more? Also, the air was so dry it was almost unbearable, can I do anything to reduce this? Do you ever get to the point where breathing comes naturally and you dont think about it? My friend who is also new to the course had no problems what so ever and stayed under water for 40 minutes without having to think about a single breath! Is there any hope for me? Would getting my own equipment help?

Troubled diver

diva

Hi there!

I am sorry to hear your first diving experience wasn't the best, but hopefully some folks here will offer some good advice...

The first advice I can give you is that if you have a cold, especially with blocked sinuses or ears, DON'T DIVE. It will almost certainly be uncomfortable, and can cause perforated eardrums and other problems.

I think most people find breathing underwater a little unnatural and uncomfortable at first. With time you will become more relaxed, which will reduce your breathing rate and therefore make it feel less laboured. Of course, if your breathing is laboured to start with, the stress will make you breathe harder making it even more laboured. Being generally blocked up and under the weather with a cold definitly won't help!

Once your cold is gone, you just need to try to keep yourself underwater, and relax making yourself breathe slowly, deeply and steadily. Don't try doing anything else underwater until you can just be comfortable breathing - trying to do too many things at once adds to stree. Just build up your comfort underwater, and get used to breathing from the reg. I think it's normal for a nervous newbie to come up for air on the first dive, but it's a habit you need to get out of

As for your friend, everyone is different, so don't try to compare yourself too closely with others! Just my 2 cents worth of advice. Hope that helps

greatwhite

Everyone is a little different so their limits is not your limits.
And also when you go underwater, the presssure increases and you need more air to fill your lungs. but when you come back up, air expands and you need lesser to fill them up.

eg. when you are coming up, try to be exhaling and not inhaling!

Joel

If you read your question, I think you have the answer already by comparing yourself and your friend.

The difference is one of you had the flu.

If you have a read of your Open Water manual you will see that diving with a cold is really not the thing to do. Talk to your instructor, I am sure if he/she is aware you have a cold they will rearrange the pool dates for when you are better.

Yes, the air does seem unnaturally dry at first, but you will get used to it. As time goes on you will also see that the first thing a lot of divers do once they get a chance to do so is take a swig from a bottle of water.


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Do you ever get to the point where breathing comes naturally and you dont think about it?
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Yes you will, but certainly not while you are trying to dive with a cold.

Relax and enjoy.