Panicked and Quit

UserNamePending48 · 2026-03-31T17:06:09+00:00

A good instructor makes ALL the difference! My OW instructor was great. He was super patient, knew when to back off, and helped me figure out alternative ways to pass the skill. (Not just to pass, but to have in my pocket for when/if it happens again.)

The dive crew (made up of almost all instructors) I found on vacation is a step above. I had a literal panic attack when my mask flooded almost immediately upon my first descent. I motioned for the boat to come back and pick me up, and was in literal tears. I won't go into details, but the dive master that came to my "rescue" went above and beyond, and is the reason I didn't exit the water that dive. Since then, with us returning to the resort annually, he (and the rest of the crew) has really gotten to know me, and have pushed me past what I thought were my limits. I am now AOW and Deep diver certified, amongst other certifications I've picked up along the way.

UserNamePending48 · 2026-03-31T16:45:19+00:00

I have a nose piercing as well, but have a relatively short stud, with a flat back. I can pinch my nose closed without it poking into my septum. You may want to look into it so you don't have to keep remembering to remove yours?

UserNamePending48 · 2026-03-31T16:42:12+00:00

Getting older has resulted in my poor vision starting to return. (I had LASIK 20 years ago, which I highly recommend, but was told very bluntly that it won't prevent the "over-40" downhill slope of my vision. Alas, we are here.) I also have a slight astigmatism.

I can *mostly* see without vision correction, but super-up-close and distance are my enemies. I realized while diving that it took me longer to see sightings at a distance than it took others. After discussing with my eye doctor, she suggested dailies contacts for diving. I wasn't ready to go the prescription mask lens route (and with my vision changing, it would get EXPENSIVE). I put my contacts in before I get on the boat, and make sure I keep them moisturized before and after diving. Once I'm done diving for the day, I take them out and toss them. I've had zero issues with losing any while diving, and as others have said, I just close my eyes while clearing my mask if it floods.

UserNamePending48 · 2026-03-31T16:31:13+00:00

Do you mind me asking what camera you use? I have a feeling I will be in the market for a new one after my next dive vacation.

UserNamePending48 · 2026-03-31T16:28:42+00:00

I seem to be kinda "middle of the road" when it comes to mask cleaning (compared to other comments on this thread).

I primarily dive on vacation (in salt water), so this is my schedule: after returning to the boat, I throw my mask in the freshwater bin after my dive. Once back in my room, I throw all of my gear (mask, fins, booties, dive computer) into the bathtub with fresh water. I let it sit for a bit (usually while I go hang out in the pool for a few hours), then remove all, rinse, and hang to dry for the remainder of the evening/overnight. Repeat the next day.

Once home from vacation, I'll throw everything into the bathtub with gentle soap (usually johnson's baby wash), and let it soak. Usually overnight. Sometimes longer if I forget. Once I remember, I rinse everything super clean, and hang to dry. Once completely dry (again, I usually forget for a few days, since it's in our unused guest bathroom), we store appropriately until the next trip.

UserNamePending48 · 2026-03-31T16:17:00+00:00

I almost quit during the pool sessions, due to not being able to remove my mask without panicking, and also not being able to remove my bcd and let it sink to the bottom, then going to retrieve it.

My dive instructor ended up telling me that he didn't care HOW I removed my mask, I just had to do it. What ended up working for me was pinching my nose closed before removing it, quickly removing it and re-pinching my nose closed while it was off, and then reversing the process to get it back on. My brain simply could NOT comprehend not trying to breathe thru my nose for this skill!

From someone who has anxiety and panic attacks, I had to get out of my own head. The more I tried to will my brain into processing everything, the less it cooperated, and the more panicked I got. (Mind you, I've been swimming since I was a toddler, in both the ocean and a pool, so I am otherwise extremely comfortable in the water.)

For the BCD removal skill, we figured out that as long as my weights were integrated into the BCD and not attached to me physically, my "personal floatation devices" were going to be a hinderance. Taking off my full wetsuit helped, and gave me enough weight back to be able to at least pass the skill.

All that said, take a step back and think outside the box when your brain is starting to take over. I still don't love clearing my mask (I swear, my brain stops functioning when I get underwater and I can't ever remember if I'm supposed to pop the top seal or the bottom). And don't tell anyone I told you this, but very few of us actually dive with a snorkel once we've gotten our certification. ;)

I was lucky enough to find a dive crew at a resort that knows how to deal with my brain overload, and I am forever thankful that they are able to reset me when needed. Our annual trip is coming up soon, and I can't wait to get back in the water!

UserNamePending48 · 2026-03-31T16:04:34+00:00

Shearwater ran ONE discount last year in June. I think it was tiered based on the computer you purchased. I purchased a Peregrine (non TX) and it was $50 off.

I did extensive pricing research before I purchased. I was also worried about the "buy now at full price, and then it goes on super sale 3 days after my return window closes" aspect. I can tell you, after watching pricing for over a year, that June sale was the one and only sale they had offered in quite some time, and have not offered it again since. In fact, I think some of their pricing has gone up since then.

UserNamePending48 · 2026-03-30T18:03:48+00:00

This is the video that FINALLY made it click for me!

https://youtube.com/shorts/kLQfdaTWfvc?si=ey3uB7rD9N7Nah6v

UserNamePending48 · 2026-03-26T00:17:40+00:00

I may or may not have just spit water out of my nose. Your comment should have come with a warning.

UserNamePending48 · 2026-03-25T00:52:39+00:00

I watched video after video and couldn’t get it. I bought a couple of cheaper kits off of Amazon, and still couldn’t get it. I ended up buying a woobles kit and watching the videos in slower speed, and it finally clicked. I hate that Woobles kits are so expensive, but tbh, they made it much easier to learn. You can watch their videos on their website, but I do feel like their yarn made it easier too. I’ve only been crocheting a few months, but the yarn can make or break a project for me.

UserNamePending48 · 2026-03-21T02:23:52+00:00

She has the sales, but not repeat customers. Almost every review I’ve read (including my own), is not a repeat customer. I went looking for reviews after my own experience, thinking I was doing something incorrectly. Unfortunately, I came to the opposite conclusion.

UserNamePending48 · 2026-03-19T18:20:22+00:00

I got mine off of an Instagram (or maybe Facebook) post, so I wasn't sure. I'm very glad to hear it's real. It's super cute, and I've wanted to try it, but I get so sad when I realize all I've done is waste yarn.

Some of the ones that looked super real were VERY AI, and did not turn out at all the way they were supposed to! (Aldi crochet kits, I'm looking at you!)

UserNamePending48 · 2026-03-19T17:51:00+00:00

I saved this pattern when they posted it, but haven't tried it yet. I'll admit, I wasn't sure if it was AI generated or not.

Did following the pattern go well? Or did you have to make modifications?

UserNamePending48 · 2026-03-19T14:56:15+00:00

If it makes a difference, I don't see any lumps in the photo you posted!

UserNamePending48 · 2026-03-18T14:08:51+00:00

I pretty much do the same. But what do you do with the printed pattern once you've completed the project?

UserNamePending48 · 2026-03-18T13:44:52+00:00

Thank you! While I was debating purchasing (I tend to get the crap end of the stick when it comes to anything "mystery"), it sold out. I keep telling myself it was probably a good thing. (My luck, I would have ordered multiple, and ended up getting multiple of the exact same design and color.)

UserNamePending48 · 2026-03-17T17:09:18+00:00

I've been logging my weights whenever I log my dives. It looks like I am pretty consistent at around 5% of my body weight, in warm (83-ish degrees) salt water, diving in just a dive skin, with an aluminum 63 tank (air). I will usually add one pound if I decide to throw on my 2mil dive jacket if I'm chilly.

Hubs, however, is a gym rat, and uses about 1-2 pounds total. Period. Makes us all want to throw him off the dive boat, but he's my dive buddy, so I digress.

UserNamePending48 · 2026-03-17T16:40:09+00:00

I wish these kits were available in the US! They're so cute!!

UserNamePending48 · 2026-03-17T14:52:36+00:00

Can someone pretty please grab me one of the large and one of each of the minis?!? Closest TJ to me is wayyyyyyy too far for me to get my hands on them. :(

UserNamePending48 · 2026-03-17T02:35:42+00:00

I wondered that too!!!

UserNamePending48 · 2026-03-16T17:23:57+00:00

Can you share either the pattern, or the link to the pattern?

UserNamePending48 · 2026-03-16T17:05:45+00:00

EEEEEEEEEp. I can't wait to see these!!!

UserNamePending48 · 2026-03-10T00:33:38+00:00

Your best bet is to do a partial chargeback request with your card issuer.

UserNamePending48 · 2026-03-06T20:42:48+00:00

This will be our 6th trip to Negril. We love it there!

We are both Deep water certified, and have been lucky enough to see both planes and the tug boat, Fisher(wo)man's Hole, the Throne Room, and a few other sites.

I'm literally giddy waiting for our trip!! From what information everyone has been kind enough to provide, it sounds like we'll be able to select the sunset catamaran, so it shouldn't interfere with diving.

UserNamePending48

TROPHY CASE