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Scuba Forum / General / September 2004I'm Certified!!!!!!!!!
Yes, I'm finally certified. I did my four check out dives Saturday and Sunday. Finally I got to do some really diving, even tho it was in a natural spring lake. Even tho we didn't go much below 30 feet(because it's hard to find a place in that lake that's deeper than that) It was still pretty fun. The weather almost ruined it tho. We were supposed to start diving at 3pm. My instructor chose this time so we could do are dives without it being so crowded. Well, we had lightening and for three hours. We did manage to get in the water once, but we saw lightening again and the instructor had to pull us out of the water. Actually, I think if it were only me and him we would have went on with the dive. But the two women in the class were complaining about the lightening, so there is no way the instructor was going leave us out in the water. It was really touch and go for a while. We would only have time to do one dive, and we had to get that in because Padi doesn't allow four check-out dives in one day. When the lightening finally cleared we hit the water. Going down to thirty feet was a little scary at first. I started equalizing right of the bat, but I descended too quickly. I ascended back up to 10 feet and tried again. It took me maybe six minutes to get down to 30 feet with both ears equalized. Once down my ears felt fine. The first dive went fine. We did a quick tour of the lake and all the junk in it (armored car, coffin, snow mobile, other stuff). I think we may have got deeper than 30 feet. 35 or 40 maybe in few spots. I felt pretty comfortable during the dive. My only problem was trying to be precise with my buoyancy. I kept hitting the inflate/deflate buttons to go up and down, trying to be the exact depth of the my instructor. After the dive my instructor just told me to set my bcd and leave it alone. Basically go with the flow. Also, since it was raining a lot that day, visibility wasn't that great, maybe 10 feet. Well, the second day (today Sunday) went better. The water cleared up a lot. Very good visibility. During the three dives we went over the various exercises, basically the same that we did in the closed water part. I had no problem. I would say the toughest thing I did was put my bcd on while on the surface. I think I had too much air in the bcd. My buoyancy during these three dives was better than my first dive. I tried to set my buoyancy and leave it alone. For the most part it worked. I could really control my depth just by taking deeper breaths or exhaling. But for dropping or rising more than a few feet I needed to inflate/deflate. During the dives we always had, besides my instructor, one or two dive masters and another one who was to become officially certified as a dive master during this weekend. My instructor would lead the tours around the lake and a dive master would be behind us, plus others floating around. That was very comforting during the first dive. During all my dives some more advanced divers came along, they were doing their check-out dives for their courses too. I was surprised to see a father, his young daughter (I thought she might be 15 or so, my instructor said he thought she was around 20) and son (maybe 11or 12) all were in dry suites. There were also a few other divers with dry suits. It's pretty cool seeing a man get out of the water, taking off his dry suite, and have on underneath a nice shirt and blue jeans, and not wet at all. Some of the dry suit divers seemed to have problems with the neck seal, letting water in. They seemed to mention the "neck seal" a lot. The only thing I didn't really like during the dives is being someone's dive buddy. I had to be a dive buddy to some woman. She was not a problem at all, very nice and all that. During the dives I kept looking back and around at her, making sure she was close and alright. Perhaps I even slowed her down some of the time. I would have preferred to go at my own pace, speed up when I felt like it, slow down when a little tired. Also, I don't really care for checking someone's other dive equipment during the pre-dive safety check and them checking mine. I think the way I will stay out of trouble is relying on myself, not someone else. But maybe if I would have dived to sixty feet I wouldn't say this. Well, I'm actually going to get to do some diving in the ocean in a few weeks on a cruise. I'm going to sign up for two dives in Jamaica and two dives in Cozumel. I'm thinking about canceling my swim the stingrays at and just doing two dives in Cozumel. Perhaps some of you here can give me advice on that? Swim with stingrays or do two more dives? I had a fun time this weekend, even with the rain. It would have been a blast if I was already certified an didn't have to worry passing the exercises, even tho they were easy. I told my instructor after he game me my temporary scuba license that now I want to dive to 250 feet and breath helium. He just laughed. He did ask me if I would like to take the advanced open water class, just two dives, before I go on my cruise. I declined, saying I might take it if I like the diving on my cruise. I know what all you here have been saying - don't buy equipment now - RENT RENT RENT - until I know for sure I like diving. I understand what your saying, but the urge to buy equipment is grown in me, very quick. The only thing that worries me are my ears. I always had to descend slowly, rise up a bit, and descend again, taking maybe six minutes just equalize and get down to 30 feet. I had no problems with my right ear, it was the left ear that was giving me trouble. And I'm still hearing the crackling in my ears that's been with me since my first closed water diver. I remember during the first closed water dive, I felt pressure in my left ear. I wont be diving again until my cruise, around two weeks away. Hopefully two weeks will give my ears time enough to clear up. If not, I might have to find a dive doctor in my area. I do worry tho that they may force me to stop diving. And so, I'm certified. The next time I go to Books-A-Million and buy three or four dive magazines, and use my credit card with the dolphins on it, and the counter girl says "gee, you must really like scuba diving!", Then I can say "Yes, I am a scuba diver! A certified scuba diver!" Very cool. You are no longer at the top of the food chain. =;-) Now you have your learners permit, and you are bait for every dive gear/shop shyster on earth. Welcome. Scott > Yes, I'm finally certified. I did my four check out dives Saturday and > Sunday. Finally I got to do some really diving, even tho it was in a [quoted text clipped - 106 lines] > it, and the counter girl says "gee, you must really like scuba diving!", > Then I can say "Yes, I am a scuba diver! A certified scuba diver!" > Yes, I'm finally certified. I did my four check out dives Saturday and > Sunday. Finally I got to do some really diving, even tho it was in a [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > the flow. Also, since it was raining a lot that day, visibility wasn't that > great, maybe 10 feet. You'll learn to just get comfortable with buoyancy then control it with your breathing - I hate using air from my tank into the BC. Sometimes I give it a .5 second shot - but mostly breathing correctly is all you need > Well, the second day (today Sunday) went better. The water cleared up a > lot. Very good visibility. During the three dives we went over the various [quoted text clipped - 70 lines] > it, and the counter girl says "gee, you must really like scuba diving!", > Then I can say "Yes, I am a scuba diver! A certified scuba diver!" > Yes, I'm finally certified. I did my four check out dives Saturday and > Sunday. Finally I got to do some really diving, even tho it was in a > natural spring lake. Even tho we didn't go much below 30 feet(because it's hard to > find a place in that lake that's deeper than that) It was still pretty fun. Congratulations. Be careful when you decide to go deeper. Consider the added risks and make sure you pay attention to them, particularly the more rapid use of gas. > The first dive went fine. We did a quick tour of the lake and all the > junk in it (armored car, coffin, snow mobile, other stuff). I think we may > have got deeper than 30 feet. 35 or 40 maybe in few spots. No insult intended. but you should know how deep you were. "I think. . . " is not the right way to do it. > I felt pretty comfortable during the dive. My only problem was trying to be precise with > my buoyancy. I kept hitting the inflate/deflate buttons to go up and down, > trying to be the exact depth of the my instructor. After the dive my > instructor just told me to set my bcd and leave it alone. Basically go with > the flow. Your instructor's advice isn't bad. You'll get better over time. > I would say the toughest thing I did was put my bcd on while on > the surface. I think I had too much air in the bcd. If you think you had too much air in it, you probably did. You don't need a lot. On the other hand, with practice, this is a pretty easy skill to master, even with too much air in the BC. Practice makes perfect. > The only thing I didn't really like during the dives is being someone's > dive buddy. I had to be a dive buddy to some woman. She was not a problem [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > out of trouble is relying on myself, not someone else. But maybe if I would > have dived to sixty feet I wouldn't say this. 30, 60 or 120, it's important to ensure your gear is in good shape and functional and, as you note, it's your responsibility. Still, it doesn't hurt to have somebody else take a look. Sometimes they notice what you forgot. Most of us, probably all of us, have forgotten something at one time or another. > Well, I'm actually going to get to do some diving in the ocean in a few > weeks on a cruise. I'm going to sign up for two dives in Jamaica and two > dives in Cozumel. I'm thinking about canceling my swim the stingrays at and > just doing two dives in Cozumel. Perhaps some of you here can give me > advice on that? Swim with stingrays or do two more dives? Swim with the stingrays were? If you're talking about Grand Cayman, it's quite an experience. I don't know about other places. Pay attention to what you're doing in Cozumel. There are several aspects of Coz diving that are risks you're not used to yet: 1. Most of the diving in Cozumel is drift diving. That's quite a bit different from confined water diving. 2. Cozumel has a lot of depth available. The top of the drop off is, in most places, deeper than you've gone so far. Don't forget to keep an eye on your air. 3. The water is Cozumel is, usually, very clear. If you're on a wall, you have no bottom below to help you monitor your depth. It sounds silly, but it's real easy to get a lot deeper than you intend when you have no bottom in view and the water is clear. Check your depth frequently. 4. Cozumel has swim throughs all over the place. They are very cool (my opinion). They're also way beyond your present experience level. Save them for another time. Don't let the DM or other divers talk you into going where you know you should not. > I told my instructor after he game me my temporary scuba license that > now I want to dive to 250 feet and breath helium. It's not a license, it's a certification. All it does is tell others that you've had the minimum training necessary to dive safely. It doesn't guarantee you will. Only you can do that. > He just laughed. He did ask me if I would like to take the advanced open water class, just two > dives, before I go on my cruise. I declined, saying I might take it if I like the diving on my cruise. Opinions vary on when to take your AOW. Some like to recommend it immediately, allowing the student to gain a bit more experience under the supervision of an instructor before going off on his/her own. Personally, I prefer to see people dive a bit before they come back for AOW. After a few dozen dives, you'll be better able to understand, appreciate and make use of the more advanced training. > I know what all you here have been saying - don't buy equipment now - > RENT RENT RENT - until I know for sure I like diving. I understand what > your saying, but the urge to buy equipment is grown in me, very quick. Which makes you just like the rest of us. How do you think we discovered that it's better to rent first. If you want to buy, buy. Stick with name brand equipment. Stay away from the bottom end of any particular brand and, unless you're wealthy enough to not care, the top end as well. You'll make some mistakes that will cost you to fix, but maybe not too many. > The only thing that worries me are my ears. I always had to descend > slowly, rise up a bit, and descend again, taking maybe six minutes just [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > might have to find a dive doctor in my area. I do worry tho that they may > force me to stop diving. Look for an Ear Nose Throat specialist that dives, or knows diving. Call the Diver's Alert Network to see if they can recommend one in your area. Chances are that your problem is congestion and an ENT that knows diving can perscribe medication for that which does not respond adversely to pressure (as some surely do). > And so, I'm certified. The next time I go to Books-A-Million and buy > three or four dive magazines, and use my credit card with the dolphins on > it, and the counter girl says "gee, you must really like scuba diving!", > Then I can say "Yes, I am a scuba diver! A certified scuba diver!" Grin. Lee > > Yes, I'm finally certified. I did my four check out dives Saturday and > > Sunday. Finally I got to do some really diving, even tho it was in a [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > No insult intended. but you should know how deep you were. "I think. . . " > is not the right way to do it. No insult taken. We were using all analog equipment. Nothing digital. I think the instructor was the only one that had a computer. In this 'large pond' I was constantly checking my air supply first, then depth second. Maybe I was checking it too much. I could see how divers might look down to check their air/depth, then look up and not see their buddy/dive group. I don't think depth was that important in that spring pond. I talked with other divers, they said there is a spot that is 60 feet but it's pretty hard to find. I guess 50 feet is hard to find in that pond too. We were always changing our depth, swimming down a wall, swimming around an armored car, swimming up some - I would say during each tour of the spring pond we were at depths from 20 - 35 feet. I may have got close to 40 feet when I was at the bottom of the armored car. The first three dives were around 30 minutes, that last dive 45 minutes. I noticed on the 45 minute dive that my air pressure got down to 600psi. I started getting worried when I seen that. I was going to swim up to my instructor and tell him with my fingers "600psi" but right then his computer beeped and he took us all up. During my first three dives I started with a little over 3000psi, and ended with a little under 1500psi - those were thirty minute dives. The 45 minute dive I started with a little over 3000psi, and ended at 600psi. I am surprised how fast you go thru air, even at 30 feet. These four dives gave me a good overview of how much air I use at depth and how quickly. I can see the advantages of an integrated computer that beeps when you are at a certain psi. Does anybody know anything about sinus surgery? I talked with a diver who said he couldn't equalize his ears, and had sinus surgery so he could equalize. Now he's fine. I'm wondering if that's for me in the future. I wonder if it's an out-patient surgery deal. > Does anybody know anything about sinus surgery? I talked with a diver > who said he couldn't equalize his ears, and had sinus surgery so he could > equalize. Now he's fine. I'm wondering if that's for me in the future. I > wonder if it's an out-patient surgery deal. Whoah, fella! You just made four dives and (slowly) equalized on all four of them. You will get better at it, and a decongestant might very well be all that you need. Don't be in such a hurry for the knife! Bart F. > No insult taken. We were using all analog equipment. Nothing wrong with analog. It's accurate enough for pretty much everything you'll do. Personally, I like my computers, but I used an analog guage for a very long time before buying a computer. BTW, since I think you'll want one eventually, I recommend you start with a computer, preferably a nitrox computer (so that you don't have to replace it if/when you move up to nitrox). It will save you from having quite as much old equipment in your closet as I do. > In this 'large pond' I was constantly checking my air supply first, then depth second. > Maybe I was checking it too much. I could see how divers might look down to > check their air/depth, then look up and not see their buddy/dive group. I > don't think depth was that important in that spring pond. You're probably right. As you gain experience, you'll develop a method of monitoring your gas and your depth closely enough. However you do it, knowing your depth and gas supply is a good habit to develop. > I talked with other divers, they said there is a spot that is 60 feet but it's pretty hard > to find. Actually, I was a bit surprised at your description of your dives. I was under the impression that at least one, maybe two of your dives was supposed to be to 60 feet or so. Then again, I hold no PADI cards. I'm not a PADI expert. I guess 50 feet is hard to find in that pond too. We were always > changing our depth, swimming down a wall, swimming around an armored car, > swimming up some - I would say during each tour of the spring pond we were > at depths from 20 - 35 feet. Cozumel will absolutely knock your socks off. > During my first three dives I started with a little over 3000psi, and > ended with a little under 1500psi - those were thirty minute dives. The 45 > minute dive I started with a little over 3000psi, and ended at 600psi. I am > surprised how fast you go thru air, even at 30 feet. Speak for yourself <grin>. I don't go through gas nearly that quickly. You won't either after you've been diving for a while. > These four dives gave me a good overview of how much air I use at depth and how quickly. I can > see the advantages of an integrated computer that beeps when you are at a > certain psi. Some like them, some don't. Personally, I prefer an analog pressure guage. Either way, don't rely on your computer to do your thinking for you. The computer, tables, spgs, and everything else are just tools to provide your brain with the information you need to dive safely. Your mind is your most important safety tool. > Does anybody know anything about sinus surgery? I talked with a diver > who said he couldn't equalize his ears, and had sinus surgery so he could > equalize. Now he's fine. I'm wondering if that's for me in the future. I > wonder if it's an out-patient surgery deal. I know people who have experienced it. I don't know anybody that enjoyed it. Check with your ENT first. It's more likely that congestion is your problem than something that has to be fixed surgically. Lee > > I know people who have experienced it. I don't know anybody that enjoyed > it. Check with your ENT first. It's more likely that congestion is your > problem than something that has to be fixed surgically. Is it normal practice for doctors or ENT's to notify Padi or other dive organizations if one of their patients is unfit to dive? I assume not. > > > I know people who have experienced it. I don't know anybody that > enjoyed [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Is it normal practice for doctors or ENT's to notify Padi or other dive > organizations if one of their patients is unfit to dive? I assume not. VonF!! No, of course they won't do that. Why are you so convinced that you will be diagnosed unfit to dive? I seriously do not believe that you have a problem significant to keep you from diving. At least with regards to your ears. ;^) > > > I know people who have experienced it. I don't know anybody that > enjoyed > > it. Check with your ENT first. It's more likely that congestion is your > > problem than something that has to be fixed surgically. > Is it normal practice for doctors or ENT's to notify Padi or other dive > organizations if one of their patients is unfit to dive? I assume not. It's illegal for them to do so in the US. Your medical information is highly confidential, released only to very narrowly defined family and to your health insurance company. Lee > It's illegal for them to do so in the US. Your medical information is > highly confidential, released only to very narrowly defined family and to > your health insurance company. I believe GUE is currently applying, under the aegis of the Patriot Act, for an exemption to doctor-patient confidentiality regarding the patient's smoking habits. > > It's illegal for them to do so in the US. Your medical information is > > highly confidential, released only to very narrowly defined family and to [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > an exemption to doctor-patient confidentiality regarding the patient's > smoking habits. Damn, Greg, use a smiley when you say things like this. Not everybody knows you're kidding and the USA PATRIOT act gets enough bad press as it is. Lee > Is it normal practice for doctors or ENT's to notify Padi or other dive >organizations if one of their patients is unfit to dive? I assume not. They aren't allowed to, but your question is a bit scary. Your question should be "if my doctor says I shouldn't dive, should I get a second opinion?" The answer to that is "yes, speak to a doctor with a diving background". If you are then found to be unfit, for whatever reason, as much fun as it is, diving is not worth your eardrums, life, whatever. Maybe I'm misreading your intention, but it sounds to me like you would go against medical advice, to continue diving. Don't. >> Is it normal practice for doctors or ENT's to notify Padi or other dive >>organizations if one of their patients is unfit to dive? I assume not. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] >intention, but it sounds to me like you would go against medical advice, to >continue diving. Don't. Had a student one time tell me he was a little weak on his left side because he had had a TIA a few weeks previous. Wasn't any mention on his medical, so I asked him about it. "Don't want to be disqualified because of a silly little thing like that". Needless to say, if he learned to dive, it wasn't from me or at our shop. The DAN operator's response was a classic that still gives me a giggle: "Your sh.tting ... oops, sorry, shouldn't say what I'm thinking"  Signaturedillon When I was a kid, I thought the angel's name was Hark and the horse's name was Bob. >From: ne333ro@aol.com (NE333RO) >Date: 8/31/2004 8:21 PM Eastern Daylight Time [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] >intention, but it sounds to me like you would go against medical advice, to >continue diving. Don't. I don't know if I agree with that. No doctor would ever allow me to dive, if they had the say. 99% of the doctors in the country know f.ck-all about diving, and are safety-wired in the "hell no" position. Popeye "If one does as God does enough times, one will become as God is." -Dr. Hannibal Lector. > 99% of the doctors in the country know f.ck-all about diving, and are > safety-wired in the "hell no" position. Vote for Edwards! >>Maybe I'm misreading your >>intention, but it sounds to me like you would go against medical advice, to [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > 99% of the doctors in the country know f.ck-all about diving, and are > safety-wired in the "hell no" position. Get on the boat with a syringe full of insulin in yer pocket. Ya always get plenty of room to set up. Not only do most doctors know f.ck-all about diving, damned few know much about the human body and how it works. > >>Maybe I'm misreading your > >>intention, but it sounds to me like you would go against medical advice, to [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > Not only do most doctors know f.ck-all about diving, damned few know > much about the human body and how it works. Do you study Chinese medicine at all? Really helped a friend of mine who was diagnosed with juvenile onset diabetes at 28 years old. >From: mike gray scrubadub@att.net >Get on the boat with a syringe full of insulin in yer pocket. Ya always >get plenty of room to set up. :-) >Not only do most doctors know f.ck-all about diving, damned few know >much about the human body and how it works. Kimber sure learned that the hard way. Popeye "If one does as God does enough times, one will become as God is." -Dr. Hannibal Lector. >>From: mike gray scrubadub@att.net > [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > "If one does as God does enough times, one > will become as God is." -Dr. Hannibal Lector. There you go, putting personal information on Usenet. Next thing you know, somebody claiming to be a doctor is going to steal her identity. Sorry Carl, beat you to the punch. Signaturedillon When I was a kid, I thought the angel's name was Hark and the horse's name was Bob. But heard, half-heard in the stillness, Dillon Pyron writes -- > Sorry Carl, beat you to the punch. Sorry, Dillon, you lost. > Actually, I was a bit surprised at your description of your dives. I was > under the impression that at least one, maybe two of your dives was supposed > to be to 60 feet or so. Then again, I hold no PADI cards. I'm not a PADI > expert. IIRC, their OW standards provide recommended depths for each of the checkout dives, which start shallow and become progressively deeper. I believe that the last dive or two is allowed to be as deep as 60fsw, but not an inch deeper without invoking the often fake wrath of their QA department...there have reportedly been instructors investigated when a student survey reported a max depth of "62ft"...sounds like "QA through hassling our Members" :-) In any event, I'm sure that many instructors then tend to go no deeper than 45ft or so, to make sure to stay well away from the training depth limit. They'll also select training sites with hard bottoms that make excursions to 60+ft physically impossible. Von Fourche, congratulations on getting certified...now the hard work begins :-) -hh > Does anybody know anything about sinus surgery? I talked with a diver > who said he couldn't equalize his ears, and had sinus surgery so he could > equalize. Now he's fine. I'm wondering if that's for me in the future. I > wonder if it's an out-patient surgery deal. Here is a little breakdown on sinus surgery for you. You wake up and every thing seems fine, the surgery went ok and the absorption padding is in place. They give you a prescription for a saline type solution and when you get to the pharmacy you realise it's a 2 gallon jug. Twice a day you have to shoot that up one nostril until it runs down the back of your throat...along with all the mucus/blood clots etc. You survive the gross stuff, burning sensation and the throwing up. Then it's time for you to head back to the doctor to get the "pads" removed... I call them pads but they are really more like big tampons. They will stick what looks like an o-ring remover (a curved metal hook) up each nostril and pull these pads out of your nose. It's about the size of two or three fingers wide and will feel like a billard ball coming down through your sinus passage. You can feel it being dragged the entire way from head to cheeks to nostril. Then they do the other side. If you're lucky they don't accidentally scar the tear ducts like they did with my step-father. Your excess eye-fluid and tears actually drain near or into the sinues, since his was sealed over with sinus surgery scar tissue his right eye is constantly leaking. They offered to do another surgery to fix it but after all that he said he would just accept the runny eye. Everyone gets better with practice at equalizing, don't jump the gun. Your eustachian tubes use muscles just like every other part of your body, they will learn and get better. If you have trouble with one side clearing, try tilting your head in the opposite direction and jutting your jaw forward. This will usually help stretch the tubes open. Have some happy and safe diving, Chris First - re-read everything Lee just told you. > Yes, I'm finally certified. I did my four check out dives Saturday and > Sunday. Finally I got to do some really diving, even tho it was in a > natural > spring lake. Even tho we didn't go much below 30 feet(because it's hard to > find a place in that lake that's deeper than that) It was still pretty fun. ... > The only thing I didn't really like during the dives is being someone's > dive buddy. I had to be a dive buddy to some woman. She was not a problem [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > pre-dive safety check and them checking mine. I think the way I will stay > out of trouble is relying on myself, not someone else. That annoyance you're calling a buddy is your back-up air supply. Sometimes you may choose to dive without it (but please, not for the next year or the next 50 dives, whichever comes last), but when you do dive with it, it's in your best interests to make sure that everything works and you know where everything is. It's also in your best interests to know where that backup supply is at all times, and know how much air it has. Alan Congrats!! Now the real learning begins. Your class has given you an introduction to the world down below. It's now time to work on gaining experience. There is a wonderful world down there just waiting for you to explore it, one small step at a time. Welcome to the Brotherhood.. Jim > Yes, I'm finally certified. I did my four check out dives Saturday and > Sunday. Finally I got to do some really diving, even tho it was in a [quoted text clipped - 125 lines] > it, and the counter girl says "gee, you must really like scuba diving!", > Then I can say "Yes, I am a scuba diver! A certified scuba diver!" > Congrats!! Now the real learning begins. Your class has given you an > introduction to the world down below. It's now time to work on gaining > experience. There is a wonderful world down there just waiting for you to > explore it, one small step at a time. > Welcome to the Brotherhood.. And so VanF, you've chosen Cozumel to be your next experience. Very bold, I must say since you've only been to 30 or 40 feet . . .you not being sure and all. It will be quite a different experience for you because the visibililty is probably going to blow your mind. Please, please, please pay attention to your air consumption. Watch your guages, watch them, watch them, watch them. Breathe slowly, breathe easily, stay relaxed. The currents in Coz can be wild. Try to remember that even though you are being shot through the water column, you still need to pay attention to your depth and your air consumption . . .and stay relaxed. As long as you are breathing from your reg, everything is all good. Be a good buddy. You were trained to be a good buddy, whether you like it or not. Being a good buddy will always stand you in good stead, even when comes the time that you actually may be a good enough diver to ignore buddy rules. Until then, it is *ever* so important to keep your buddy skills up to snuff. Being a good buddy will help to make sure that you enter the water with your weight belt on properly, your BCD properly afixed, your air on, etc. etc. Not to mention, that there is a lot of personal satisfaction that comes with ensuring that your buddy goes into the water with the same assurances. In other words, that you checked that your buddy's air was properly on, BCD done up right, weight belt properly affixed, etc. etc. And on the off chance that you should have some kind of incident under the surface, won't you feel ever so much better knowing that you ensured that your buddy (and buddy's gear) was ready, able and capable of assisting you, even if you have to help yourself to your buddy's air supply? > Jim > > [quoted text clipped - 127 lines] > > it, and the counter girl says "gee, you must really like scuba diving!", > > Then I can say "Yes, I am a scuba diver! A certified scuba diver!" > The only thing I didn't really like during the dives is being someone's > dive buddy....I would have preferred to go at my own pace...I > don't really care for checking someone's other dive equipment during the > pre-dive safety check and them checking mine. The trick to the buddy system is to find a good buddy who is safe, reliable and likes the same type of diving. The other trick is to BE A GOOD DIVE BUDDY. And remember, either can abort the dive for any reason, at any time, no questions asked. >I think the way I will stay out of trouble is relying on myself, not someone else. Be deliberate in your preparation (remember what happened when you rushed before? <grin>); practice your skills; dive within your limits; take good care of your life support equipment, and mostly make sure that the number of ascents equals the number of descents. > I know what all you here have been saying - don't buy equipment now - > RENT RENT RENT - until I know for sure I like diving. I understand what > your saying, but the urge to buy equipment is grown in me, very quick. Nothing wrong with buying equipment and a lot of good reasons to own your own gear. Other than the possible loss of your investment if you decide to leave diving, there aren't too many reasons not to buy if you have the budget. I wont be diving again until my cruise, around two weeks away. > Hopefully two weeks will give my ears time enough to clear up. If not, I > might have to find a dive doctor in my area. I do worry tho that they may > force me to stop diving. Go to your ENT soon, because if you have an ear infection, you'll want to clear it up before flying and diving. In a blink, he/she will tell you if you have an ear infection. If you have trouble clearing because of general stuffiness, take a decongestant several hours before diving. Just make sure it's not going to make you drowsy. I also take one before flying, especially if it is to a dive destination. I have good luck with Claritin-D. Others swear by Sudafed. Dive safe, Bart F. > Go to your ENT soon, because if you have an ear infection, you'll want > to clear it up before flying and diving. In a blink, he/she will tell [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > before flying, especially if it is to a dive destination. I have good > luck with Claritin-D. Others swear by Sudafed. I've had these stupid ear problems since my first closed water dive in a swimming pool three weeks ago. If it was an infection wouldn't have gotten worse by now? It's funny, my left ear is the one I had problems equalizing, but it's my right ear that has felt clogged for the last two weeks. I open my mouth and I hear crackling in both ears. I hear it more in my right ear. I wonder if I injured my inner ear. I can sat that I have never felt pain while out of the water, except when I keep opening and closing my mouth, making that crackling sound in my ears. I can just see it now, Doctor says "Your diving is over. Period." So, should I skip a general doctor and go strait to an ENT specialist? Maybe I will e-mail DAN tonight and ask for a scuba diving ENT in my area. > I wonder if I injured my inner ear. I can sat that I have never felt >pain while out of the water, except when I keep opening and closing my >mouth, making that crackling sound in my ears. I can just see it now, >Doctor says "Your diving is over. Period." Hi, I think I have suggested before that the crackling is a noise which may always have been there, but has been highlighted by your focussing on equalising. I can sit at my desk, squeeze a few muscles around my jaw and ears, and my ears crackle - it sounds a bit waxy, but I dont really know what it is. It also happens when I open and close my mouth wide, but most of the time I dont notice it - a bit like my heart beating. Normally I dont notice it doing it, but I can tell it is doing it right now <g> because of your concern, you probably should see an ENT for peace of mind, but the chances are that if you have made 4 dives, equalised OK, (and you must have done), there is nothing wrong. SignatureRichard Faulkner > > I wonder if I injured my inner ear. I can sat that I have never felt > >pain while out of the water, except when I keep opening and closing my [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > mind, but the chances are that if you have made 4 dives, equalised OK, > (and you must have done), there is nothing wrong. Well, the first three dives I equalized ok. The fourth dive I had problems equalizing. It was more like easing myself down inch by inch until I was on the platform, without pain in my left ear. I knew if I admitted any problems to my instructor then that would be it for me and diving until a doctor says it's safe for me to dive. My attitude for my dive training has been 'damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!' I wasn't going to let anything stop me, unless I was in severe pain. But I am really concerned now for my ears because I may be diving to 60 feet in a few weeks. Even if the crackling is normal in my ears I still have my right ear plugged up. I hear fine, no hearing loss at all, at least so far I don't notice any loss. Really, the only thing that feels odd is when I talk, I can tell my right ear or something is clogged. I got some Effrin(sp?) tonight. I snort it like a coke addict tonight and see if it help lol. (snip)> Even if the crackling is normal in my ears I still have my right ear > plugged up. I hear fine, no hearing loss at all, at least so far I don't > notice any loss. Really, the only thing that feels odd is when I talk, I > can tell my right ear or something is clogged. I got some Effrin(sp?) > tonight. I snort it like a coke addict tonight and see if it help lol. VonF, quit screwing around and thinking that you'll just get over it. Sure it may not be all that big a deal, but it may also be something that's going to be a low grade infection that will blossom into something nasty just before your big trip. Get to a doctor. Wouldn't you rather you got checked out OK, than find out on your trip that you can't dive because of an infection? It is common for new divers (especially those that have just taken their lessons) to have the kind of problem(s) that you are describing. Often a course of antibiotics clears things up nicely. Then when you are ready to dive again, take a Sudafed (12 hour), an hour or so before you are to dive. Equalize early, equalize often. Equalize up on shore, equalize on the boat, equalize on the surface just before descent. Equalize, equalize, equalize. Eventually, barring major problems, you will find that you rarely have problems in that regard. After your dives, rinse your ears out with freshwater. > (snip)> Even if the crackling is normal in my ears I still have my right > ear [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > out OK, than find out on your trip that you can't dive because of an > infection? I just talked with my sister. She's a nurse. She just told me there is a doctor just five miles away who has dived his whole life. My sister just called one of his nurses (she has worked with her before). The nurse said the doctor just got back from a scuba trip. He's supposed to be in his 40's. So hopefully he knows what he's doing. I'm going to call and try to get in tomorrow to have my ears checked. Heck, if I get good news I might just run down to the local scuba store and sign up for advanced open water classes that start this weekend. Ugh, this diving is going to put me in debt. > I just talked with my sister. She's a nurse. She just told me there is > a doctor just five miles away who has dived his whole life. My sister just > called one of his nurses (she has worked with her before). The nurse said > the doctor just got back from a scuba trip. He's supposed to be in his > 40's. So hopefully he knows what he's doing. I'm quite sure you will have no worries there. Nurses rarely send you to a bad doctor, whether the nurse is your sister or not. > I'm going to call and try to > get in tomorrow to have my ears checked. It's about time. > Heck, if I get good news I might > just run down to the local scuba store and sign up for advanced open water > classes that start this weekend. Absolutely the best plan. How are you going to be able to do your deep dive though, if the pond you guys train in is only 60' if you use a shovel? Not that I'm discouraging you, I'm not. You should get more training before your trip for ultimate enjoyment of Coz's sea offerings. > Ugh, this diving is going to put me in > debt. LOL, you've got no idea. > (snip)> Even if the crackling is normal in my ears I still have my right > ear [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > lessons) to have the kind of problem(s) that you are describing. Often a > course of antibiotics clears things up nicely. I made an appointment, go in tomorrow (Thursday). Here's something interesting - when I was a kid (during the early 1980's) my Mom signed me up for scuba diving lessons for Christmas. I remember getting fins, mask, and a snorkel for Christmas. I never pursued it because I think my Mom was thinking she would have to end up buying all the equipment or something. Or maybe we just didn't have the money for the lessons. Anyway, the guy who was supposed to teach me is the doctor I'll be going to tomorrow. He's a certified instructor, or at least he was an instructor at one time. I asked the nurse if he ever handles scuba divers, she just said "uh, not really." This guy is also a former school teacher too. Personally, I am terrified of doctors. Very terrified of them. The last time I went to a doctor was because I was suffering from severe hypochondria, eight years ago. I only want my ears checked, nothing else. A relative knows one of his nurses, and is going to inform her that only my ears are to be touched and discussed, everything else is off limits. I can handle any other problems with my bourbon and scotch. > want my ears checked, nothing else. A relative knows one of his nurses, and > is going to inform her that only my ears are to be touched and discussed, > everything else is off limits. I can handle any other problems with my > bourbon and scotch. I agree totally and have been curing my own maladies for years that way. The one problem I can't fix is this damn liver damage. I drink and I drink and it still doesn't go away. Any suggestions? Oh, as a side note, alcohol can be good for the ears too. I use some sort of commercial alcohol ear drops whenever I remember to after a dive, to dry out my ears and kill all the little bugs that would otherwise burrow into my ear canal and eat all the wax. Some people claim that it makes the ears more prone to infection because it dries out the skin, but how often do you really get a chin infection by using aftershave? >From: "Von Fourche" monaco8292@hotmail.com >Personally, I am terrified of >doctors. Very terrified of them. The last time I went to a doctor was [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >everything else is off limits. I can handle any other problems with my >bourbon and scotch. That's pretty fuckin scary on a variety of levels. Popeye "If one does as God does enough times, one will become as God is." -Dr. Hannibal Lector. |
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