Tell us about your first time

[swimjim]

I used to be scared to dive. That's because at this age, I still do not know how to swim and I'm afraid I would drown. Also, I'm really scared to see sharks. The first time I had my dive, I actually cried. I'm still a beginner and afraid to see sharks.

Uhh, learn how to swim. It's fun and you'll enjoy it. It should be a requirement for diving. Try fresh water. No sharks. In any case, dive, dive, dive. Experience cures alot of ills.

Jim

[treeman469]

If you ever get to Maui, Go to the Oceanic center. They allow you to dive in the Shark tank. It was a thrill for my Grandson to see me in the tank with Tiger, Reef, Sand and hammerhead varieties. It is a good way to curb your fear and learn how truly docile that these creatures truly are.Of course, you must be certified. Swimming is not a hard thing to do. Life is too short. Dont miss out on a world of new adventures
Good luck

[Darkeye]

Once my cousin brother took me to diving when I was like 16. I was very afraid too. But more excited!
I was so little the gears and every thing was very heavy for me hehe.
I still remember I fell down couple of times. It was fun though.

[treeman469]

I tell you that my first time was an unexpected pleasure. It ws November of 2001. I had gone on a cruise and ended up in the Cayman Islands. The cruise ship offered a group scuba diving resort course, But I knew that this would not be the best... So I went for a walk downt the beach in Geogetown, Came across a dive master who was finishing up for the day. We got to talking, he ended up taking me down for a one on one resort course tour. It was the most tranquil event in my life. Got certified by the following Febuary. Since then been diving caribbean Mexico and Hawaii, religiously.

[Den7]

Well, my first couple of times were really crazy. I felt so stupid I have ever decided to enrol for this OWD course! I had a strong feeling my instructor's main goal was to drown me! We went to 3.5 meters depth and I got my mask taken off and my air tank turned off on this DIN thing! Imagine this! I thought I would kill this instructor if I ever get out of the water! I am a good swimmer and I managed to surface with all this sh** hanging on me (air-tank, BCD, weighs, fins, suit, etc.) He told me that he had wanted me to test how it would feel like to be short on air and having the mask blown away at the same time! Imagine what sort of answer he got in return! I almost punched him! Although I completed my course later anyway but I had a HUGE stress and some kind of nervous break-down and I doubt I would ever dive again soon! Is this typical for all these empty-headed instructors to check whether a person survives? I mean If he/she survives then he/she would make it a diver, if not- then they might as well simply burry these poor dead students! I felt like in the army again where 3% of those under training may simply die without making it and it is considered to be OK. These are just training costs which are perfectly fine for the army. I also think that all these courses leave a lot to be desired! For example pedagogical and psychological aspects of the learning process are TOTALLY absent! Who checks on these instructors' mental health and at least primary level of education? They may be indisputably excellent divers of course but do not have a foggiest idea what teaching is all about! This is not just some teaching; this is also where safety MUST play a big role! I have some comments regarding exercises as well. When you learn to drive a car you do not normally try to drive with your eyes closed or speed up real fast and hit a wall breaking your jaws, ribs, fingers, and necks just to feel how it may be like during an accident? Why then do we have to try to drown during these sado-masochistic diving courses just to check how it would feel being almost dead from sinking? This is really beyond my understanding!!!