SSI final OW certification - what to expect

[webwidejosh]

So, I'm going on my open water certification trip next weekend.

I have bought most my own gear, and I know the shop isn't going to be happy, but I'm still planning on doing at least 1 practice dive there before I go.

This is a hybrid trip. It's a regular trip put on by the shop, but also used a lot for certification dives. I'm going to Florida Springs or something, near Gainsville.

I'd like some tips on what to expect. I've done the class and feel pretty comfortable with the whole diving thing. More comfortable than I would have thought with buoyancy and ear-clearing. Not comfortable with mask clearing, but still; confident.

So, for anyone familiar with the SSI OW cert... What should I expect? I know what the instructor said, but the class was pretty simple. Much more simple than I thought for something so serious.

I'm not very comfortable in water period, but more comfortable with the SCUBA and kayaking than swimming or rafting though. So, no experience outside of a pool breathing under water. I'd appreciate any comments you guys remember about transition between pool to open water.

Thanks!

[cgvmer]

I don't know about SSI OW but as a general rule try to relax in the water. Take yourself through the tasks at a steady pace.

Good luck.

[PepeDiver]

I did my SSI OW just a few weeks ago and we pretty much did exactly the same thing in OW that we did in the pool. Aside from that we did some compass runs but that was pretty simple. Then we had some fun dives and called it a weekend. Basically if you had a good handle on the pool...you'll be ok.

Can understand your stand on mask clearing. I can honestly tell you I hate it. I wear contacts and I'm always afraid of losing them. However...I tend to laugh and smile A LOT!! So I'm constantly clearing!!

[webwidejosh]

Originally Posted by PepeDiver

I did my SSI OW just a few weeks ago and we pretty much did exactly the same thing in OW that we did in the pool. Aside from that we did some compass runs but that was pretty simple. Then we had some fun dives and called it a weekend. Basically if you had a good handle on the pool...you'll be ok.

Can understand your stand on mask clearing. I can honestly tell you I hate it. I wear contacts and I'm always afraid of losing them. However...I tend to laugh and smile A LOT!! So I'm constantly clearing!!

Well, in just a week I went from thinking I was going to die at Mask 2 at 4ft to handling Mask 4 at 15' without holding my nose.

[PepeDiver]

I actually had a small panic moment during my first OW dive. While doing the mask clearing I accidently snorted some lake water up my nose. Well, it just through me into all kinds of heck! Took me a few seconds of sitting there with my mask in my hand to calm down but eventually did. Weird sensation though...eyes closed..freaking out...new environment.

[plot]

You'll do some snorkeling to get comfortable in the water where you're diving probably.

Then you'll go down and do all the skills you did in the pool... Look on the first few pages of your actual SSI dive log book, there should be a list of open water skills performed. You'll be going through all the stuff in that list more than likely... Mask clearing, buoyant ascents, regulator retrieval, etc.

Then you'll do some very basic nav runs with a compass. straight out and straight back... nothing difficult... and on your final dive you'll probably be led on a fun dive by a divecon. Every instructor is different, but that's basically what you'll be doing.

Then there's some paperwork and you're done.

[broncrider]

I did my cert dives back in aug. it was easy. like everybody has said if you are comfortable in the pool, then you're usually not going to have a problem. check your log book and you'll see what skills the instructor will sign off. nav with compass was easy, straight out and then straight to another object for my dive. we did do a fun dive after we finished all the skills. just did a basic relaxed swim over and look at a boat and then a plane. I really enjoyed my SSI instructor. he was real good with being patient for those that had problems and just kept working till they were comfortable.

[gmorgan]

I DID MY SSI OW CERT. TAKE A DEEP BREATH LIFT THE MASK AND WHEN YOU DO THIS EXHAIL THRU YOUR NOSE IF AIR IS EXITING WATER IS NOT ENTERING BUT DO IT SLOW SO YOU PUT THE MASK BACK HOLD THE TOP AND EXHAIL HARDER IT'S OK TO CLOSE YOU EYES BUT THIS IS THE EASY WAY TO GET PASS CLEARING YOU MASK AND REMEMBER IT'S NOT A RACE IT SUPPOST TO BE FUN SO ENJOY

[comet24]

What I remember from my SSI OW check dives is the cold. Air temps in the 50's and water about the same.

[julz]

when i did mine air temp was nice but water was pretty cold. but basically just going over the same skills learned in the pool then a quick swim around the training platform