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The first dive: your first bubbles
Presentation
Underwater diving requires training in order to be practiced safely. The “baptism dive” is a “discovery dive” which allows you to have an overview of the activity, before validating your choice and committing to training.
Once you have made your decision, you will need:
- define the type of training chosen (year-round near you or in a blocked internship during your vacation);
- choose a diving school (associative club or commercial structure);
- provide administrative elements (medical certificate, insurance, membership questionnaire, contribution, etc.).
Questions answers
I heard that you breathe oxygen while diving. Can you confirm this?
First of all, if you don't mind, we will speak informally, this is customary in diving. To answer your question, contrary to popular belief, a scuba tank contains air, exactly the same air that we usually breathe, and not oxygen.
And how long can you breathe from a bottle?
A very large amount of air is compressed in the bottles. You can breathe for 1 to 2 hours in the 6 meter (20 foot) zone.
How long does a baptism last?
Typically 20 to 40 minutes. We have some margin.
At what depth does a baptism take place?
Generally, between the surface and 3 to 6 meters (10 to 20 feet) deep. It is the ideal depth to discover the fauna and flora and to feel new sensations.
Can everyone dive?
Diving is open to everyone, young and old, provided they are in good health. However, the activity is prohibited for pregnant women. And certain contraindications such as asthma, chronic bronchitis or sinusitis, heart problems or diabetes require medical advice.
From that side, for me everything is fine But, how do you breathe underwater?
Underwater, we breathe with a regulator. Simply place the tip in your mouth and squeeze lightly with your jaw. You want to try ?
Great, it's easy. But it makes noise.
Yes, on the surface, some regulators make a little noise when you inhale. This is completely normal due to moving mechanical parts. This noise disappears once in the water. In fact, you just need to breathe normally through your mouth. You will have the opportunity to familiarize yourself with this regulator later, on the surface.
Ah. Very good! And that what is it ?
It's a vest. It is used to carry the bottle like a backpack. It also serves as a buoy, and can be inflated or deflated as desired. You don't have to worry about it, I'll take care of it.
The bottle is heavy, are we going to sink?
No way. In the water, the bottle is much lighter than on the surface. With a wetsuit, it is sometimes even necessary to add a weight belt to be able to submerge.
In fact, it is very simple !
Quite. Simply put the bottle on like a backpack, take the regulator in your mouth then inhale and exhale through your mouth. To see, just put on a mask.
I only used a mask once, at the beach and I didn't see much, there was lots of mist.
To avoid this, simply use an anti-fog liquid or put saliva inside, on the glass, rub with your fingers and rinse. Effectiveness is guaranteed.
There you go, my mask is on.
I think it's holding you a little too tight, you need to loosen the strap.
I prefer to keep the strap tight to prevent water from entering.
On the contrary, if you tighten it too much, water can enter. The strap only allows the mask to be held in place. Then remember to remove your locks of hair and position the mask correctly on your face. Waterproofing is ensured.
Yes, but what if I have a little water?
When you put your mask on your face, it is wet, since you have just rinsed it. So it's a little damp but that's all.
All right. But now I can't breathe through my nose.
In fact, you must always inhale through your mouth and generally also blow out through your mouth. On the other hand, if you feel that the mask is sticking a little to your face, you have to blow through your nose. This will put it back in good position. This phenomenon is due to water pressure.
Water pressure?
Yes, when we dive, our body experiences pressure from the weight of the water. This phenomenon is mainly felt in the ears. We quickly feel discomfort, like sometimes in the mountains or on a plane, but with more intensity. You must then pinch your nose between your thumb and forefinger and then blow gently, like when you blow your nose. This maneuver is called a “Valsalva”. It should not be abrupt. When it is effective, you feel in both ears that the balance
pressure is carried out correctly. This maneuver must be repeated throughout the descent as soon as you start to feel this pressure in the ears.
What if it doesn't work?
If you don't succeed the first time, just let me know by making the sign "that's not okay" and pointing to your ear. We will go up a few tens of centimeters, until the discomfort has disappeared. You will only have to repeat the maneuver and on your sign "ok, everything is fine", we
we will continue to descend.
What do we do once we get to the bottom?
Just breathe and watch. Look but don't touch. We must respect nature and not bring anything back. You must move slowly while avoiding scaring away the fish.
And now ?
Well I'll help you get equipped and we'll go. I'm going to get in the water first with your bottle and your vest. You will join me by going down the ladder. I will then help you put your bottle in the water. You will start breathing with the regulator and when you get used to it, we will go down together.
[25 minutes later]
That's great ! There are plenty of things to see. On the other hand, I had a little difficulty finding my balance.
It's normal. In the water, we have a new balance to find. This may take time. Most often, several dives are necessary.
Great, how do I continue? ?
You just need to follow training either to dive supervised either up to 12 m or up to 20 m (this is diver level 1). See :diving levels.
How long does the training last for a first level (PE-12, PE-20, Level 1)?
If you choose to train in a structure in a natural environment (sea, lake, etc.), the training generally takes place in 3 dives (PE-12) or 5 to 6 dives (PE-20, level 1), i.e. a few days , depending on whether you dive once or twice a day.
If you choose to train within a swimming pool club, this is done throughout the season (eg October to May), throughout the sessions.
What will I learn?
For your beginnings in diving, you will learn to:
- discover the diving equipment: fins, mask and snorkel (PMT), wetsuit, diving tank (contains compressed air), pressure gauge (know the air pressure of the tank), stabilizer vest (wear the tank, float on the surface, help stabilize underwater, etc.), regulator (to breathe compressed air from the bottle;
- assemble and disassemble the equipment (vest, direct-system, pressure gauge, regulator) on your cylinder or “block”: we speak of “de-rigging and de-rigging your equipment”;
- communicate using diving signs;
- finning, either to keep yourself on the surface without effort (lift finning), or to move forward (ventral, dorsal, costal finning);
- breathe on a snorkel (and empty it);
- balance the pressure at the level ofears;
- get into the water, from the edge of a swimming pool, a dock, an inflatable or a deck boat: put the block in the water then put it on your back; equip yourself with the block then do a “straight jump” or a “back flip”;
- immerse yourself, knowing that this phase requires both effort and technique: “seal” or expiratory flow, “duck”);
- control your ventilation (concepts);
- control your balance (concepts): lung-ballast;
- release and take back the nozzle (LRE) of your regulator underwater;
- receive air from the squad leader;
- empty your mask under water (it's possible! it's even an essential skill);
- follow a group guide;
- go up slowly;
- to get out of the water ;
- unequip, clean, disinfect, rinse and store your equipment.
In terms of theory, you will learn:
- pressure variations while diving;
- prevention of barotrauma risks (risks linked to pressure variations): ears, lungs; sinuses, mask, teeth;
- prevention of shortness of breath;
- prevention of cold (in water we cool down more quickly than in air);
- simple concepts on desaturation levels (tables and diving computers);
- simple notions about changes in colors and vision when diving;
- diving levels and their prerogatives.
Why train me to dive?
Diving is an activity that is both fun, contemplative and relaxing (“while diving I forget everything!”) which is practiced all over the world.
Having a diving level allows you to give another meaning to your vacation, to discover regions and people differently, while becoming interested in the fauna and flora of the underwater world.
Why a training book?
As you saw above, diving requires mastering certain skills in order to develop the skills necessary for your safety and allow you to discover the pleasure of the activity.
Your instructors will help you with this training, but the time they can devote to you is, by definition, limited.
Whether before or after class, you will find in the booksPleasure Divingall the knowledge and technical skills to acquire as well as numerous tests allowing you to evaluate yourself. This will allow you to prepare, learn or review at your own pace and thus feel more confident in diving.
Plongée Plaisir offers you:
- The Pleasure Diving book 1, for complete content;
- The Pleasure Diving memo 1, for quick learning.
- The Pleasure Diving book 1&2if you already know that you will pass your level 2 straight away.