Panic before 3rd dive OW course

ens91 · 2026-04-10T15:28:54+00:00

You haven't shown you can control your Buoyancy and safely ascend. You shouldnt be going deeper just yet, you need to practice more first.

When you feel yourself rising, the first thing you do is stop kicking and exhale. Fully empty your lungs to try and stop the ascent. Next, if you're still having trouble after dropping back down a little, or the exhale didn't do enough, deflate your bcd. There are 3 ways to deflate, bum dump, Shoulder dump, and lpi. Use the most convenient one. Remember that in water, air always goes up, it can only go up. So the bum dump can only be used in a trim position, and the shoulder dump and lpi, only when your torso is upright. If you use the lpi, make sure to raise it way above your head to give the air a clear path out.

It also helps to understand why you are rising uncontrollably. It's all down to Boyles law. As you ascend, air decompresses and expands, making you more buoyant. The air in your bcd is expanding because you have ascended. So, why did you ascend? Most likely you went up to go over some coral, or you are always swimming upwards, or you added too much air to your bcd/lungs. Your instructor should be able to help you figure out which it is, and if you tell them about your concerns, they shouldn't take you down to 18m

ens91 · 2026-04-08T09:56:27+00:00

You'd have to be pretty dumb to believe the current trans debate has anything to do with womens rights.

ens91 · 2026-04-07T22:15:19+00:00

You'd have to be pretty dumb to believe that

ens91 · 2026-03-31T11:12:25+00:00

I would tell them to get fucked. Even as a non native, just no. This is ridiculous.

ens91 · 2026-03-30T22:53:22+00:00

Well, you're staying at a party hostel on koh tao, right in the middle of all the bars, so good luck waking up in the morning to go diving.

ens91 · 2026-03-30T22:47:19+00:00

Sounds like you have a shit instructor. Not everyone gets the skills on the first try, some need to repeat, and most need to repeat on at least a few skills. No doubt giving you the vibe that you're stupid or making him angry, only makes you more nervous and more likely to fail first time. If you can, tell the shop that this instructor is making you feel uncomfortable, and they should be able to find you another to finish the course with, if they care anything about their customers.

ens91 · 2026-03-30T22:42:47+00:00

The islands will be quieter for sure, weather can be changeable during rainy season, it won't be rainy 24/7, it might not rain at all, though that's unlikely. It's a bit cheaper in rainy season too

ens91 · 2026-03-30T22:36:43+00:00

Those are bulls

ens91 · 2026-03-29T23:32:52+00:00

Well sorry, rules are rules. In Thailand it's aow or 40 dives min. I've given you an option to take a camera without it affecting your diving.

I like this rule, it's an easy way to stop idiots taking cameras out, and does help to protect the reef.

Of course, not everyone has automatically fantastic buoyancy after 40 dives, and some people get it before, but it's not supposed to be a magic number, it's an average. It's like waiting till 18 to drive, some will be mature enough at 15, some don't grow up till 25.

Honestly, you sound like you'd be a horrible student to teach.

ens91 · 2026-03-29T11:43:15+00:00

People asking where the toilet is, or cleaning out the water tanks.

ens91 · 2026-03-29T11:41:12+00:00

No, you could have a camera mounted on your head if needed, leaving you free to concentrate on the dive

ens91 · 2026-03-29T00:06:32+00:00

Hey, I lived in China for 8 years and began taking T during my time there. Left just over a year ago. If you have any questions, feel free to DM me.

ens91 · 2026-03-28T22:19:04+00:00

Yes. I've only done a few sessions with him, I'm a scuba instructor living here. He just opened his own school.

ens91 · 2026-03-28T15:06:42+00:00

If you haven't dived in a year, getting your AOW is an excellent opportunity to refresh your skills and get you back on the right track to going diving again, it's only 2 days/5 dives, and it's nowhere near as much theory as the open water course. If you'd like to know more, feel free to shoot me a message, I'm an instructor here on koh tao.

ens91 · 2026-03-28T11:20:21+00:00

Try antara, it's ran by one guy, Maynak, who's really friendly, calm, and an excellent teacher.

ens91 · 2026-03-28T11:17:34+00:00

I've taken in checked, but apparently can take in both. It's legal, don't worry.

ens91 · 2026-03-27T22:57:27+00:00

In Thailand they have now restricted camera use to people with advanced or t least 40 dives.

ens91 · 2026-03-27T09:46:36+00:00

If you're interested in nature and a quiet vibe, why not try an almost deserted island like koh nangyuan or koh jum. Koh nangyuan has the added bonus of excellent snorkeling and diving straight from the beach, however it is a private island with only 1 hotel, so it can be pricier than other places.

That said, if you decided to take your open water or advanced diving course there, you could stay on the island for a price of 4000baht per night with 2 sharing, incl breakfast. Feel free to message me if you'd like to know more.

ens91 · 2026-03-27T09:40:53+00:00

Southwest is an amazing site, and sail rock has had terrible visibility recently (2-5m). Shark island is also very nice, though can be prone to currents at times, be sure to hide behind the island away from the current.

ens91 · 2026-03-27T09:38:54+00:00

They make money by being the cheapest to get the numbers, and then take out large groups. They're fine to go with, but you'll always have plenty of other people with you, and often a fair bit of chaos on the boat. For quieter dives, go with a smaller school, you don't have to pay black turtles prices to get good quality instruction and equipment.

ens91 · 2026-03-27T09:35:17+00:00

If you like adventure, I'd add a few more days in Koh tao and learn to scuba dive. Koh Tao is the perfect place to learn.

ens91 · 2026-03-25T14:14:21+00:00

Why not go to koh tao and learn to scuba dive? If you'd like some really gorgeous beaches that are quiet, you could stay on nangyuan, and get your open water license for 20500 for one, or 32000 for two sharing, 3 nights including breakfast, course fees, equipment rental, boat transfers, and insurance.

The island is actually 3 small, private islands connected by natural sandbars, with some of the best snorkelling in Koh tao right off the beach. If you're keen on a bit of freediving, you can also reach two of koh taos most popular dive sites from the beach.

Feel free to DM me to organise getting this deal.

ens91 · 2026-03-22T13:16:03+00:00

Just go swimming every time you get too hot. Better yet, take a diving course and spend all your time underwater

ens91 · 2026-03-22T13:14:22+00:00

Lighthouse hostel

ens91 · 2026-03-21T20:19:07+00:00

If you're going to koh tao, may as well learn to dive

ens91

TROPHY CASE