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How to fail the SCUBA course,,
Observations from a FOG:
1) I went in 69' and I think one of the little "problems" I pondered was swimming side stroke. It's a stroke that is seldom used and at that time All open top water swims were side stroke. You can switch sides,, as long as your partner agrees. In our case, my partner and I didn't switch. I was on my right, he always stayed on his left.
The kicker was all swims at that time were also with a compass. You had to take into account the arc you generally swim on your side, depending on who was lead.
2) Claustrophobia,, Do everything you can to test yourself. We probably lost 20% of my class because they could not swim in the pitch dark.. I say test, not overcome. I don't think there is a way to "learn" not to be. And I don't want you on my team "trying". This phobia is not only confined spaces. It can come on while swimming in a crystal clear open ocean dive. Looking down into 1500 ft of water when you're 80 ft from the top,, it's awesome,, to some of us..
3)Clearing you sinuses and eustachian tubes as you dive. Failing to properly clear can do tremendous damage to your ears. Part of our final qual was a free dive riding a 20lb anchor to 85ft. Let go of the anchor, strike one. You had two chances, and if you were lucky, one retry on another date. This problem can at times be traced to your childhood. Did you have your tonsils out? Did you have a lot of sore throats or childhood allergies.
Good Luck.
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Go raibh tú leathuair ar Neamh sula mbeadh a fhios ag an diabhal go bhfuil tú marbh
"May you be a half hour in heaven before the devil knows you’re dead"
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