28AUG2004

"Among swordmasters, on the basis of their own and

their pupils' experience, it is taken as proved that the

beginner, however strong and pugnacious he is, and how-

ever courageous and fearless he may be at the outset, loses

not only his lack of self-consciousness, but his self-

confidence, as soon as he starts taking lessons..."

- Eugen Herrigel

The short story is that I passed the first knowledge review and confined water dive. Hooray!

Now the longer version; The knowledge review wasn't really that tough. Questions about buoyancy, density, volume, equalizing techniques, equipment, and some techniques for mask and second stage clearing.

Which end is the business end on this thing?

The confined water dive was a different matter... When I first went in the water the neoprene farmer johns floated my feet and hips up and I couldn't keep my head up and out of the water. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't right myself and keep my head above my feet, and after a couple minutes of flailing my arms like a windmill on crack and inhaling pool water, it was kinda obvious this wasn't gonna work. It took 14 pounds of lead in the BC and a pound on each ankle to keep my lower half lower and not trying to upset me (Q: what's the opposite of a weeble?). Once we got some trim worked out things went much better and soon passed drills on mask and second stage clearing, alternate air source, some basics of descent and ascent. I have to study the hand signals more though, I think I was missing some from Jeff, and also, just being comfortable submerged. I found myself doing what Jeff said many do; carrying too full a breath and not breathing naturally, but towards the end it was starting to be a more comfortable and enjoyable experience. All in all, after the rocky start the time did pass quickly, Instructor Jeff was masterful and with his guidance I somehow muddled through...

A short note on entry. I was uncomfortable just thinking about a seated entry, because of all the trouble I've had in the past with pressure sores and fortunately PADI permits floating the Scuba unit (your bcd, tank, regulators) first, and putting it on after entering the water. That it's also a lot less stress on the spine is an added bonus, and I was very thankful we could do it this way.