Scuba question for you divers...

SXSMAN · 09-25-2011, 07:48 AM

I love snorkeling but have never scuba dived or had lessons.

No problem with the snorkel in my mouth.

Tried snuba.Failed because of mouth-piece.

Here is my problem. I've got a terrible gag reflex. Not to put a too fine a point on it but I make myself sick brushing my teeth about 2-3 times a week. (Think this stems from oral surgery when a kid.)

Guess there are a number of mouth pieces I can try.

I've even thought about hypnosis,even though I'm not a true believer in it,still willing to try.

Or should I just pony-up for a full face mask ?$!

Your thoughts and ideas are welcomed and valued.

SxS

VINMAN · 09-25-2011, 08:08 AM

Even if you went with a full mask, you still need to get past the basics with a regular mouthpiece, to get your certification. No way around it.

911Urge · 911Urge's Garage

Haven't been diving in some time but never had a mouthpiece cause a gag reflex. May have been a cheap or poorly made one on the Snuba setup. Rent a few different setups and try them in a pool until you get comfortable with one that works the best.

For certification you must perform a number of tasks removing mouthpiece, locating and clearing it including using an octopus (secondary) and/or buddy breathing. Also have to do similar tasks with face mask. Once certified you could go the full mask setup.

Matt Smith · 09-25-2011, 03:04 PM

You probably won't like any of the mouthpieces with the bit that sits on the roof of your mouth then. I certainly don't, but some people get less jaw fatigue with them.

I like the Scubapro ones best of all, and swap them onto all my Apeks regs as a matter of course.

I use full face masks often (Interspiro 'Agas') mainly for the underwater comunications, but also for diving in contaminated water. You will find these a LOT less pleasant than a standard regulator, as they take a bit to get your head round the claustrophobic feeling and a wierd sense that they won't provide enough air when you're working hard (but they do of course). Not for the beginner IMO!

Rusty Heap · Rusty Heap's Garage

I find it very odd, that you're fine with a snorkle in your mouth, but not a scuba mouthpiece, yes the snorkle ones are ever ever slightly smaller, but maybe 1/4-1/2" length at most.

the best fitting mouthpiece on the market, is a SeaCure, that is like a boxing mouthpiece, molded to your teeth. Buy one $20-25, put it in hot water, bite down on it, and it's your own custom fit unit. Trim length to fit, remold it, what-ever...........you're not going to get a better fit that this.

Go to a local dive shop, and ask to do a "Discover Scuba" course, should be around $50, and they'll give you basic training and get you comfortable in a pool in an easy setting......

Scuba Certification is a life changing event. Every vacation has palm trees and white sand beaches after that........and the underwater sea-life is mind blowing.

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

you need behavioral conditioning

SXSMAN · 09-25-2011, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RWebb

you need behavioral conditioning

True dat !

But the vomit is real .

Some sage ideas.

Knowing the problem is in my head still doesn't make it any easier.

Thanks all again.

pwd72s · 09-25-2011, 07:53 PM

I'd say forget SCUBA...barfing into a mouthpiece could ruin your entire day..

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

there are psychologists who specialize in things like this - it can be eliminated

Rusty Heap · Rusty Heap's Garage

you guys are no help.

Get the mouth piece that doesn't tickle his oral G-spot, and he's a happy diver.

Barfing through the mouthpiece, been there done and seen people do it is semi-normail,. spew happens, blow it through the reguataor and all is fine..............

enought fat football couch potatoe armchair crap that is getting SPEWED here.

guys he's asking for help, skilled training pool help, no laying on a shrinks couch asking what does this ink blot look like?

Get in a pool with a local dive shop, get the Seacure mouth piece and several others, kneel in 3-4 feet of water and RELAX...........that's the biggest thing. Relax and trust your instructor.

go for it.

Evans, Marv · 09-25-2011, 11:16 PM

I wouldn't do it. A relatively inexperienced diver puking through a mouthpiece is a recipe for disaster.

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

disaster ----> death

get help to train yourself out of it; many have

Zeke · 09-26-2011, 01:17 PM

Been a long. long time since I did any SCUBA diving. Wasn't my bag. But I don't remember the mouthpiece being any different than a nice snorkel set up. I guess they are now reading you guys.

SXSMAN · 09-27-2011, 08:59 AM

Scuba may not be for me , I'd still like to try.

We've got a local dive company that I will look into taking intro scuba from and explain the problem I have.

If a different mouth-piece doesn't fix the gag problem,then I'll get my head shrunk.

The snorkel mouth-piece doesn't stick into my mouth as much as snuba/scuba mouth-piece. Think my tongue is the problem.

Really ,thanks for taking the time to help

.

SxS

ODDJOB UNO · ODDJOB UNO's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwd72s

I'd say forget SCUBA...barfing into a mouthpiece could ruin your entire day..

one of the reasons most military dive units thruout world use POSEIDON CYKLON regulators. and i swear by them after 35 years of diving.

man if you cant take yer mask off, pull reg out of mouth at 5ft or 100ft and put it all back on....................DONT TAKE UP THE SPORT!

a full face mask like my scubapro brings on a whole different set of problems in and of itself. they are primarily made for contaminated dives and ice dives.