This #scuba diving video has gone viral around the world and it’s about ice diving - actually, it’s about pretending to be “Fishing Under Ice” in Finland :)

Last night of class

Well this was the last night of the class until we meet at the lake.
This was also test night. I studied the dive tables a lot and it was a good thing since there was several questions pertaining to the tables. The test wasn't too bad. I did miss 3 because I was thinking too much intro the questions. They were simple, but I had to make them complicated. It took an hour to take a 50 multiple choice questionnaire. Everyone passed in the class. Then we went to the pool to finish off the pool training. Again what a great night. We learned how to remove and replace our weight belt at the surface and at the bottom of the pool. Which was great because that night I bought my own weight belt so that I can get used to my own. The weight belt cost 25.00 and all the weights that I needed cost 50.00. so for 75.00 I got a new belt that was comfortable. There was cheaper ones but it would of only saved me 16.00.
Then we practiced removing and replacing our BCD with tank at the surface and at the bottom of the pool. Now as easy as that sounds, and it is....kinda. When trying to do this at the surface there is some tricks to it. Dont over inflate your BC or you will fight it the whole time. Keep it Buoyant but only semi. And you think well it will be easy to do on the bottom. Here is the trick. Although you think well I can stand up and just take it off. Well make sure you are not the first one doing it so that you can share a giggle with the instructor when everyone loses their balance. Now for the trick. Kneel on the floor and take it off. but be prepared to lay on the floor forward, because you will automatically start to fall forward and then just put your bcd back on as you are slightly falling forward. Its simple once you do it.
Next, the instructor turned off our air underwater so that we can feel what it feels like to run out of air. We watch the pressure gauge as she did it and then we practiced an emergency accent to the surface and manually inflated the bc when we surfaced. Very interesting night. I was amazed on how much we actually learned in only 4 nights in the pool. We all wished there was more. But now we are waiting for the lake to warm up to finish the certification. It will be 2 days with 4 dives total including navigation and a dive to 60 feet. It should be great!

3rd Class

   Ok, so it is getting easier to understand. This class was one that I was dreading because we had to go over using the RDP (recreational dive planer) Its  tales you how deep and how long you can stay underwater.

   But I studied it a lot and was prepared. So the class went well.  We learned the difference in emergency accent and normal accent in case of and emergency lack of air. That was helpfull.

   In the pool we started off by jumping in the pool properly with all our gear on making sure we held our mask as we leaped in. 

   My buddy and I simulated running out of air  and practiced swimming together as we shared air off the alternate. Well that was exciting because I was using my own equipment that just got over hauled and my alternate was turned down some I guess. So as we started swimming, My buddy had a hard time breathing and had to revert back to his air. Very good experience, because he had to change air midstream which he easily done without panicking and we also found out what that little dial is for on the side of the mouth piece.

  So if a buddy needs your alternate air, turn it completely up after he places it in his mouth. I am glad I am using my own equipment to find these things out!

   We honed our buoyancy skills. Tonight was much better. I wasn't flopping around like a drunk fish going strait to the top are falling to the bottom. I was able to hover at one spot and controlling my motions was a lot easier.

   Also tonight which I thought was really cool and easy, we learned how to breath on a free flow regulator! So when the air just keeps coming out freely, you just put your mouth on one side of your mouth piece and suck the air from it using your tongue as a baffle from the water.  It was great! Very interesting night!

  

Second Class

   Another great class. It was a little more challenging than the first. We learned how to equalize as we descend and how to take our mask off and on under water. Then we started buoyancy control. That was pretty cool. We would only put enough air in our BCD to get us off the floor a little as we breathed out and then in. I had a hard time staying down as we swam though. Every time I kicked it seem to push me further to the top. But I am determined to get it down.
   We went over some more gear and their functions. Also I used my own regulator this class. Had it completely rebuilt for around $170.00 And that is with an alternate second stage too. Its nice to use your own gear so that you can work the kinks out of everything before the fun starts.
   Cant wait to learn a little more. Every day it seems I get more comfortable with it.
Hand signals was next. That was great. Were all learning them and also a few more that the instructor has showed us for like fish identification.

First Class

   WOW!! What an amazing class! I got there early, so I was able to watch a recent trip to Fiji. Very nice. Then once everyone got there we did the basic book review and go over anything that we didnt understand.
    It was easy to understand and when we finally got in the pool (which didn't take too long) It was like being a kid in the candy store. First we went over how to set up the tank. It looked confusing at first because of all the hoses and stuff hanging down, but after doing it the first time it comes naturally.
   We snorkeled first around the pool to get used to the snorkel and then we was able to get our tanks on. I had a small leak in my own BCD but nothing too bad. I left it so that it can be fixed.
   Once we went over how to breath the air under water we went around the pool several times to get used to having the gear on.  

   We went over taking the mouth piece out and reinserting it into the mouth, and how to retrieve it if it gets accidentally yanked out. Then we went over sharing air with a buddy. It was so great. The manual really prepared me for what I was going to be doing.
   After our pool time we rinsed our gear and set our gear up against the wall in preparation for our next class.
   Once home, I couldn't sleep. I kept thinking about the lessons and what I needed to review before the next class.  Must be why they give you a day off before the next class,lol

 

My old gear didnt pass

   So I went to pick up my BCD and my regulator and just as we thought, the BCD was shot. the bladder could not be replaced. The Regulator had to be over hauled but worth it. Cost me $130.00 to replace some seals and hoses, but since it had the alternate second stage, I thought it was well worth it.
   There was some used BCD's for sale and I found one that was in almost new condition for $115. It was  Scuba Pro and the instructor said I can use it while I take the course. So I thought that was great. It didnt have the integrated weight system but it did have the double quick air release on the front and the back like I wanted. So now I have Scuba Pro fins, boots, and BCD. This I feel is a good start. My dive bag is completely full. May need a bigger bag if they make one.
   Dive class starts tonight and I am excited but nervous. I think I have forgot some of the literature that I thought I had familiarized. Oh well, I guess it will come back to me when we start going over it in class.
   

Easy manual to learn

   Well I have been studying and reveiwing the dive manual and watching the videos.
Wow! all my fears of diving is gone. They go over everything. From leg cramps (which I have had since I was a small kid) to running out of air. You will learn how to remove your gear and replace it under water. And learn how to use a buddies alternate air source. 
   The manual is easy to read and understand. and the videos are exactly the same as the book, so it makes it even easier to learn.  The RDP (recreational dive planner) looked like it was going to be hard to understand with all its numbers and letters, but after following the directions and going over the manual it was pretty easy to pick up.
   I am excited. I have readjusted my goggles several times, and have watched the videos over and over too.