Hello Another Newby

[cath s]

Hello Everyone.
My name is Cathy and I have never done any watersports except swiming in my life,Im now 47 and terrified of putting my head under water.
My story is we are going to Australia in March this year and I desperately want to try snorkelling and overcome my fear of water.
I live on the Wirral in merseyside and would be greatfull of some information on where to start to learn some skills so I wont run a mile at my first attempt.
Thanking you in advance.
Cathy

[Edward]

Hi Cathy,

Welcome to our forums.

There are specialist snorkel Branches in BSAC, but none listed close to you. As divers we get taught how to snorkel so most diving clubs should be able to help you out; there is even a snorkel membership.

You should pick up some information from our snorkelling site at http://www.bsac.com/landing.asp?section=365&sectionTitle=Snorkelling.

There is a club finer tool at http://www.bsac.com/findit.asp?cat=clubs&section=000100010040&view=map&glat=53.299670000000006&glng=-2.9539000000000053&gzoom=10&submit.x=30&submit.y=10&distance=20&postcode=CH65+4FL&keyword=word+or+phrase showing the clubs around your area.

Don't be afraid to ask any questions you may have and have a look at the Snorkelling Talk forum at http://www.bsacforum.co.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=10

On a final, but different note. As a BSAC Member you can get specialist travel insurance (which could save you money) withTravel4SCUBA (http://www.travel4scuba.co.uk/).

Regards

Edward

[Maria CM]

Practice blowing bubbles with your mouth under the water in a warm pool.

After you've mastered that and are comfortable with it, transfer to humming. If you are humming you can't get water in your mouth or up your nose.

Gradually build up with the humming so you can go low enough for your mouth and nose to go in the water.

Don't rush it and don't do it out of your depth.

You will get more and more comfortable and eventually be able to get lower and lower.

best wishes,

Maria

[David Tombs]

Hi,welcome. Its a great way to develope yourself in so many ways. Relax into it and you will have great fun.

[Mark Cowgill]

Hello Everyone.
My name is Cathy and I have never done any watersports except swiming in my life,Im now 47 and terrified of putting my head under water.
My story is we are going to Australia in March this year and I desperately want to try snorkelling and overcome my fear of water.
I live on the Wirral in merseyside and would be greatfull of some information on where to start to learn some skills so I wont run a mile at my first attempt.
Thanking you in advance.
Cathy

Hi Cath

Here is a tip to overcome your fear of putting your head under water.

Fill your bath with 3 parts Gin and 2 parts Tonic up to the brim, get in the bath with your snorkel and put your head under,that way if you swallow any of the G and T you are not going to be too bothered.and by the time you have practiced this for a while you will be ready to dive on the Titanic using just your snorkel,oh and put some slices of lemon in the bath first, no ice though.

Seriously though,BSAC does have a Snorkel section and they will see you through all those fears, my wife was the same and I cant keep her out of the water now.

Mark

[Mark Cowgill]

[QUOTE=Maria CM]Practice blowing bubbles with your mouth under the water in a warm pool.

After you've mastered that and are comfortable with it, transfer to humming. If you are humming you can't get water in your mouth or up your nose.

Gradually build up with the humming so you can go low enough for your mouth and nose to go in the water.

Don't rush it and don't do it out of your depth.

You will get more and more comfortable and eventually be able to get lower and lower.

best wishes,

Its good but its not as good as my method:)

[JimW]

Hello Everyone.
My name is Cathy and I have never done any watersports except swiming in my life,Im now 47 and terrified of putting my head under water.
My story is we are going to Australia in March this year and I desperately want to try snorkelling and overcome my fear of water.
I live on the Wirral in merseyside and would be greatfull of some information on where to start to learn some skills so I wont run a mile at my first attempt.
Thanking you in advance.
Cathy

Hi Cathy

A partial explanation of your 'quite rational' fear can be found on a previous thread detailing the implication of the Mamalian Diving Response (http://www.bsacforum.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=64121#poststop)

Jim:cool:

[Maria CM]

Its good but its not as good as my method:)

Actually, I think I agree with you;) :)

best wishes,

Maria

[Maria CM]

Hi Cathy

A partial explanation of your 'quite rational' fear can be found on a previous thread detailing the implication of the Mamalian Diving Response (http://www.bsacforum.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=64121#poststop)

Jim:cool:

A very useful response/reflex indeed - very useful for keeping us alive in all sorts of circumstances:)

best wishes,

Maria

[JimW]

A very useful response/reflex indeed - very useful for keeping us alive in all sorts of circumstances:)

best wishes,

Maria

well for the first 9 months at least!:eek:

[Maria CM]

And on those occasions we go skating on iced up ponds, fall through them and can't find our way up through the ice again, and are then resuscitated 20 mins later with no ill effects...... (don't you remember those adverts in the 70's)

And so we don't forget and try to breathe while we are swimming with our faces in the water. (Actually, since diving, I have to consciously remind myself
that I can't breathe warm pool water)

best wishes,

Maria

[JimW]

(don't you remember the 70's)



Those who remember the 70's weren't there (to misquote the 60's):p

[Maria CM]

Those who remember the 70's weren't there (to misquote the 60's):p

Aaah - but some people were still at primary school:p ;)

best wishes,

Maria