Is this like childbirth?

[dbarlow]

using your own mask will help a huge amount, my wife has a small face and struggled with the rental masks and was ready to pack it in but we went out and bought her a good mask and fins that were not too big.  This helped her get through the class.  She often compared it to hazing, she kept saying if you do these tasks you can be in the club  .  She too had to realy relax when it came to removing the mask and skills like that but we had a good instructor that took the time and we are now enjoying diving together. 

keep at it and good luck

Doug