| Well, as most people already know, buoyancy is the key to all diving, with proper trim a close second. I would have to say work on these and try to get it as best you can before hand. As far as buoyancy, I would recommend working on the one minute decent/ascent drill, being one minute per ten feet down, one minute holding depth and one minute per ten feet up. For our dive site, this was to 30 feet and back up. Whether it takes you 30 seconds to go ten feet and hold for 30 seconds, or you go at exact one minute intervals, I think this would be invaluable.
Trim, which was my main problem, also needs to be worked on before the class. My major problem was my knees. I could stay with my torso trimmed correctly, but I had a lot of problems keeping my knees up. Luckily we had 4 instructors for our two person course. I got lots of pointers and tips in this area and was able to improve dramatically over the four dives. The best way it was explained to me, is to stretch yourself out as long as you can. If you do this on the floor or your bed, you will find that your legs are naturally lifted off the ground. Squeeze your glutes and keep your back tight to hold that position, then bring your knees up to about a 90 degree angle..voila! you’re in trim position…on your bed. Transfer this underwater, and you’ve got a good basic idea. Another suggestion given to me is while underwater, go all the way to the bottom of the pool, or to a platform and just lay on it. Then bring yourself trim, and play with your fins to see how they work. Let yourself get a bit off the bottom, and again, move around, maintaining trim. Then a little higher, etc etc. By moving slightly off the bottom, you’ll know if anything is dropping.
Once you’re trim and neutrally buoyant underwater…add a task.. just take your mask off and put it back on..see what happens. If you can do this and hold your depth and trim, you’re off to a good start…do it in a pool without touching the bottom or surface, and you’re really in style.
All in all, I would say that’s the main thing to practice. It was what got me. Not so much maintaining trim and buoyancy, but doing it while doing other things.
I would not recommend practicing the propulsion techniques on your own. It’s easier to learn them the correct way first, than it is to unlearn the wrong way. If you have access to a DIR diver who is willing to help, then maybe, but I would be careful.
All in all, I really enjoyed the class. I had Mark Messersmith as primary instructor, as well as instructor Sonya Tittle, and interns Rick Gomez and Derek (from EE). I was awesome having a 2:1 instructor to student ratio, as we were able to get different pointers on how best to perform a task, or in my case, maintain trim. It really helped.
It was certainly one of the most challenging courses I have ever taken, and I would certainly take it again in a heartbeat.
I hope this helps someone, and if it is as long and confusing to you as it is to me, PM me and I’ll try to clarify!:D
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Matt |