learn to SCUBA dive

with the help of tanks and gear!! I just came back from the quarry after completing my certification as an Open Water Diver. I am now allowed to go down to 60 feet without an instructor. Very cool. Yesterday was rough and I really didn’t want to go back today, but I did and I am so glad I did. Today was fun. I have now done 6 dives and am ready to go again. I still have issues with my mask, but at least I know I can recover. So long as I have a good dive buddy that won’t leave me when I have to stop (again and again) to clear that darn mask. I am glad that I pushed through my fears and didn’t bail on this. Wahoo!!! Maybe I will even become an Advanced Open Water Diver (though the water was very chilly down at 45 feet).

and I managed to survive. The first day was rough. I learned I am not very good at mouth breathing and I do not have gills. After swalling what felt like a gallon of pool water (yes, I know I should drink lots of water, but not that stuff… EWWWW), I so didn’t want to go back on the second day for more pool torture. Thankfully, I somehow managed to remember to breath through my mouth and not to inhale the water seeping into the mask. Phew. So after managing to survive a couple hours in the pool on the second day and passing the written test with flying colors, I should be off to the quarry to test how much I learned. Because I want to do a bit more practice, and because I am traveling this upcoming week via plane, I will have to delay this a bit (mid September). Perhaps I should do some snorkeling in the bathtub to practice… :-)

Had my first class last night. Now I am really excited. Its like a whole new world is opening up for me and I get to explore it… after I pass this class. Oh yeah… and after I buy all sorts of equipment. OMG. I did not realize how expensive starting a new thing like this would be. Fins, snorkel, mask, bag, shoes, books… its as if I am going back to college. Ah well… it is all a good investment in fun.

Well I took my first step. I signed up for classes. They start tonite. 2 nights of classroom study and then practice in a pool. Wahoo.