Advice?

[DiveDeep]

My wife and I are going to a resort in a few weeks. They have boats to take people out both scuba diving and snorkeling. I've never done either before, and neither has my wife. Can anyone offer some advice for someone who's nervous about their first time? What can I expect?

I was thinking of starting off snorkeling, just to get used to things, then go to the scuba diving the next day. Is that a good plan? The diving just seems a bit more intimidating somehow.

 

[WarmWaterWuss]

First off, find a mask that fits - ask someone in the dive shop to help you try it on and get it right. Then go to the pool and snorkel around the pool, once you feel comfortable go on the snorkel trip. Ask for a snorkel vest, wear it, and then once you are comfortable take it off so you can dive down and take a closer look. (sometimes they have pool noodles to use as floatation instead of the vests)
The mask fitting is huge, it is no fun to try and snorkel around lifting up your head every three minutes to mess with your mask. Have fun!

Oh hey, where are you going?

 

[ousnakebyte]

I didn't answer this b/c it sounds like a troll post - snorkeling for the first time one day and then heading out on a dive the second... just sounds trolly to me...

Mike

 

[DiveDeep]

Honestly, I've never done either one. We're going to Atlantis, and they have both there. I really want to do both just so I can say I did Like I said, I'm just a bit nervous about it.

 

[reefinmo]

I work with new divers all the time. The ones that acknowledge they are nervous and tell me wind up doing just fine. It's the ones that hold it in until the very last second and all their emotions come out at once that are the problem. Just tell them about your concerns and let them address whatever they are.

Remember, you don't have to do anything you are not comfortable doing. With your skill level (zero at this point), you shouldn't do a complicated dive to 120' in rough seas in a current. You should only be doing shallow easy dives in good conditions and you should be in very close proximity to an instructor or divemaster the whole time. Having said that, if they ditch you and try going deeper than you are comfortable going, you don't have to follow them. Let them go and then make a slow ascent to the surface and demand your money back immediately. But that shouldn't happen with a reputable operation.

As to doing the snorkeling before the diving, it's up to you. It's not necessary, but if you've never used a mask and fins before and been in the ocean like and it provides you some level of comfort, then go for it.

 

[jeepinreefer07]

Could of not said it BETTER!

I work with new divers all the time. The ones that acknowledge they are nervous and tell me wind up doing just fine. It's the ones that hold it in until the very last second and all their emotions come out at once that are the problem. Just tell them about your concerns and let them address whatever they are.

Remember, you don't have to do anything you are not comfortable doing. With your skill level (zero at this point), you shouldn't do a complicated dive to 120' in rough seas in a current. You should only be doing shallow easy dives in good conditions and you should be in very close proximity to an instructor or divemaster the whole time. Having said that, if they ditch you and try going deeper than you are comfortable going, you don't have to follow them. Let them go and then make a slow ascent to the surface and demand your money back immediately. But that shouldn't happen with a reputable operation.

As to doing the snorkeling before the diving, it's up to you. It's not necessary, but if you've never used a mask and fins before and been in the ocean like and it provides you some level of comfort, then go for it.

 

[DiveDeep]

Thanks for the advice!

 

[billsreef]

I didn't answer this b/c it sounds like a troll post - snorkeling for the first time one day and then heading out on a dive the second... just sounds trolly to me...

Mike

Unless he's an actuary, it's not all that unusual a question for someone that's never spent that sort of time in the water.

DiveDeep,

Lots of good shallow reef in the Bahamas, so plenty of easy spots for a beginner. Take your time and get comfortable in the water. Like WarmWaterWuss says, make sure to get a mask that fits properly. One that doesn't fit right will leak and make you miserable and stressed.

 

[ousnakebyte]

It was the July 2011 registration and first-ever post on an aquarium message board in the off-topic scuba section - and then asking about snorkeling for the first time ever and then heading out to the dive on the next day that drew my flag. (it was just shades of nemo and dory in a 10 gallon flashbacks.... ) It just seems there are other places - perhaps more appropriate - to ask questions about getting into snorkeling and diving.

But, if it's legit, then great. Several people here have good advice, and I certainly agree about the good fitting masks, being comfortable and talking with your divemasters/guides, although... I'm shocked that no one has addressed the "resort dive" and not advised this person and his wife to spend time in a classroom and pool setting before heading out to the ocean on a dive. But, that is me, and I would - and always will - advise someone to get properly certified before doing an open water dive, even if it means staying at 20-30 feet for the entirety of the dive.

Take a full breath of air at a very shallow 30 feet, and then ascend to the surface without exhaling and see what happens (but really... don't do that). Every certified diver (or physics major...) on this board just gripped your chest in anticipated pain, didn't you...?

Snorkel away until your hands turn to prunes - just watch out for the boats and jet skis. I just do not believe that you can learn what you need to in a day or less and be considered "good to go" on a dive, even if you are staying right by the divemaster's side. But again, that is just me, and that is my advice.

Cheers
Mike

 

[billsreef]

Mike,

I understand what your thinking. I just like to give people the benefit of the doubt first. If they are deserving of it, great. If not, I've got the ban button

BTW I do agree with you on the resort dive vs. proper certification. Snorkeling is much better start to get comfortable in the water, and resort dive does not prepare you for dealing with the potential problems. Heck, I've even had to bail out certified divers that have run into problems...usually from lack of planning or not listening to the pre dive briefing.

 

[ousnakebyte]

Mike,

I understand what your thinking. I just like to give people the benefit of the doubt first. If they are deserving of it, great. If not, I've got the ban button

BTW I do agree with you on the resort dive vs. proper certification. Snorkeling is much better start to get comfortable in the water, and resort dive does not prepare you for dealing with the potential problems. Heck, I've even had to bail out certified divers that have run into problems...usually from lack of planning or not listening to the pre dive briefing.

And it's good that you are not a tyrant with that ban button! :beer:

Cheers
Mike

 

[SoFloReefer]

My wife and I are going to a resort in a few weeks. They have boats to take people out both scuba diving and snorkeling. I've never done either before, and neither has my wife. Can anyone offer some advice for someone who's nervous about their first time? What can I expect?

I was thinking of starting off snorkeling, just to get used to things, then go to the scuba diving the next day. Is that a good plan? The diving just seems a bit more intimidating somehow.

The mask is good advice. Expect to spend at least $50 for a good mask. The silicon should be soft. A good mask that fits you face will seal to your face when you place it on without the strap and then suck through your noise. I tried on over a dozen masks before I found the one that fit me right. There is usually residue left over from the manufacturing process that will cause a new mask to fog up. You need to scrub the entire inside with toothpaste of some other mildly abrasive compound to remove the coating. When you think it is all gone, continue to scrub it for a few more minutes. Dive shops also sell a small bottle of anti-fog stuff which works well. A good snorkel will cost about $50 also but, while not as important as a good mask, is still important. Mine has a valve that seals the top when I dive down so that it is easy to clear when I surface. Good fins are also important. Find ones that fit your feet and are comfortable. I use a weight belt when I snorkel (free dive) but that is a little more advanced.

Remember that the easiest way to clear water from your mask is to tilt your head back while you are vertical and simultaneously exhale from your noise while you tilt the bottom of your mask off your upper lip. This will blow all the water out of your mask in a second and is a very easy technique.

Equalizing the pressure in your inner ears will be the most important thing determining if you are able to dive. You won't be able to drop must past 10 or 15 feet if you don't equalize. There are different techniques to equalize but the most common is to pinch your noise shut and blow. This will force air into your sinus. I do this continually while I drop down while also swallowing. If you drop too much with out equalizing, the pressure will then become too much to equalize, and you will have to rise back up a few feet and continue trying. If you have any kind of congestion you will most likely not be able to equalize and not be able to dive. Do not continue to drop if you feel pressure building up and you are not able to clear. You will feel pain and if you push it you will blow out your ear.

These are only a few points. There is a lot to diving safely which becomes second nature with the more experience you have. Diving in shallow water in the Caribbean is pretty safe because you can surface quickly if you have a problem. Just remember that to drown, you only need to suck in a little water. If you have any problems, such as needing to vomit under water, keep the octopus in your mouth and blow through. Also, always stay with someone else experienced when under water.

 

[DiveDeep]

Again, thanks for the advice.

Billsreef, at first I was wondering about your actuary comment. I was wondering because my friend is an actuary. I had mentioned to him that I was nervous, and he told me, well, I know this forum that has a great section on snorkeling.

I told him this afternoon that I got some great advice, and he burst out laughing. Now I figure that there's something going on with actuaries and this forum. Care to fill me in?

Anyway, I'm hoping that my trip will work out well. Even with the advice, I'm still nervous, but I'll still give it a try. Hopefully after a few minutes, I'll get the hang of it.

Here's another question: as a novice, would trying to hold an underwater camera in my hand be too much? I'm not going to spend money on a good one, just a disposable that they'll probably sell there. I love taking pictures, and I've never done udnerwater ones before!

 

[billsreef]

A group of bored and immature actuaries thought it would be fun to stage an organized troll attack on RC. Got to add many notches to my ban stick

It will take more than a few minutes to truly get the hang of it. I'd skip the camera the first day or two till your comfortable. For snorkeling depths, the disposable underwater cameras work pretty well.

 

[jnguyen4007]

If you can swim, you shouldn't have any problem snorkeling. Like everyone said, a good mask is a must. I don't recall of anyone mentioning snorkel, so I'll say something about that. Like masks, there are lots to choose from, open tube, semi dry and dry snorkel. My preference is dry snorkel only because I hate having water down the air tube and into my mouth. The downside with it for me was that it took a bit of getting used because it was not as easy to breathe through.

I'm a firm believer in proper training and certified for diving. I love diving and I highly recommend it to everyone. However, it is still an inherently dangerous sport and should not be approached casually. Surely your life is worth more than a conversation piece to say "I did". My recommendation is if you want to get close to seeing what diving is like, try snuba diving. If you like it and want to pursue diving, by all mean, go to your local dive shop and get certified.

 

[DiveDeep]

Can you please explain what the different types of snorkels are? I assume the dry snorkel has some sort of valve that when you breath in, it opens (kind of like the old Gatorade bottles)?

I don't think I'm going to buy a mask. I can't snorkel where I live, and I'm not going to Atlantis enough to make it worth spending the money on. I'll just take whatever they have there for the people in the resort.

 

[daplatapus]

Older snorkles you had to exhale and push the water that got into the snorkle up the height of the tube to expel it. Newer snorkles now have drain's on the bottom's so that exhaling flushes the water out the bottom. I've been diving now for close to 20 years, and I've never been real comfortable with snorkles. For some reason I keep wanting to go down and end up getting a nice big lung full water Hence I dive. :lmao:
If you are going to go snorkeling, and you're not wearing some kind of wet suit, make sure you at least wear a t-shirt or excellent waterproof sunscreen, because after a couple hours laying on your stomach with water all over your backs you WILL have one doozie of a sunburn. The water cools you and you don't feel it until it's too late.

 

[DiveDeep]

That's good to know. I burn easily, so I will be sure to put on lots of sunscreen.

I'm trying to picture how the drain on the snorkel works, and I can't. I guess I'll Google it. One thing - if exhaling expels the water, you need to save the breath until you come back up, right?

 

[snorvich]

That's good to know. I burn easily, so I will be sure to put on lots of sunscreen.

At the very least. You are getting "double sun" out there so I would apply liberally to any exposed part and limit that which is exposed. Atlantis is a very big but very competent operation. If she is still there, there is a lady who is a "shark whisperer".

 

[jnguyen4007]

That's good to know. I burn easily, so I will be sure to put on lots of sunscreen.

I'm trying to picture how the drain on the snorkel works, and I can't. I guess I'll Google it. One thing - if exhaling expels the water, you need to save the breath until you come back up, right?

Most snorkel nowaday are made with at least a purge valve below the mouth piece. If you get water in it, you blow into your mouth piece and most of the water get pushed out through the purge valve and up the air tube.