I could hardly believe I was actually gearing up for a dive beneath the waves of the beautiful Caribbean. I had dove in these waters before, a resort pool course and shallow dive was what had initiated my interest in Scuba Diving and the desire to attain Open Water Certification. This dive was going to be my first open water checkout and I was slightly apprehensive yet eager to test my own skills and comfort level in the warm open waters.
Having donned my brand new 3mm wetsuit rather ungracefully and with some assistance to pull the neoprene up past my nether regions, I assembled my equipment and checked all the functions and gauges as I had been taught. The Instructor carried me graciously out to the boat, and no I did not pay extra for this but was considerate enough not to put my weight belt and bc on prior. The boat was small and the bench seating low enough that my gear was in easy reach. On the way to the dive site I was once again grateful for the assistance to put on my weight belt and bc. Good grief, the resort tanks were 12l steel and to this middle aged mom of short stature, that is a lot of tank! Completely immobilized I feared a boat motion that would topple me over onto the poor fellow beside me or on to the floor of the boat. Not sure I wanted to entertain the crew with a flipped turtle impression.
Looking across the turquoise and blue waters I am pondering the logistics of getting this now, weight encumbered, body up to the side edge of the boat. No problem, the helper lifts me by the bc straps on to the edge of the boat and I make a rear entry, remembering to tuck in my chin and move away from the boat.
After exchanging okay signs and taking a visual into the waters and coral reef below, we begin our descent. Performing the required tasks I felt grateful for the weeks of theory and practical pool practice provided to me by the ACUC instructors.
The world beneath the waves is the most incredible environment and I was mindful that I be an unobtrusive guest. Attaining neutral buoyancy and keeping my hands linked together I was amazed at the ease in which I was able to move through the warm waters. Slight movement from the hips allowed me to glide almost effortlessly. Using my lungs I was able to make small changes to my depth in order to keep from bumping any of the fragile coral. I felt pleased that the green moray eel that peeked out from its crevice decided I was no threat and allowed me to pass peacefully and respectfully.
Time seems to pass so quickly here beneath the waves and all too soon it was time for ascent. Careful to monitor my speed, buoyancy control and depth I found the safety stop a wonderful time to revel in the serenity and view of the wonderful world below me.
The boat awaited us at the surface and I carefully removed my weightbelt and bc and they were taken and stowed for me. With the instructor pushing up on my bottom half and the assistant grasping my upper arms I made a rather clumsy but effective landing on to the boat bench. Back at the resort dive shop all of the equipment was washed and checked over and my personal gear carefully packed into my mesh carry bag.
As I looked back out to the water I am reminded of the reasons I am taking the Open Water Certification Course.
I want to be safe beneath the waves, safe for myself, safe for my dive buddies and safe for the environment I am visiting.
I want to experience the world beneath the waves, the beauty, the serenity, the freedom of movement and lack of barriers .
I find myself blinking away tears of elation as I fasten my lap belt, flip the switch to engage the motors of my power wheelchair and head off to complete the notes in my dive log.
Having donned my brand new 3mm wetsuit rather ungracefully and with some assistance to pull the neoprene up past my nether regions, I assembled my equipment and checked all the functions and gauges as I had been taught. The Instructor carried me graciously out to the boat, and no I did not pay extra for this but was considerate enough not to put my weight belt and bc on prior. The boat was small and the bench seating low enough that my gear was in easy reach. On the way to the dive site I was once again grateful for the assistance to put on my weight belt and bc. Good grief, the resort tanks were 12l steel and to this middle aged mom of short stature, that is a lot of tank! Completely immobilized I feared a boat motion that would topple me over onto the poor fellow beside me or on to the floor of the boat. Not sure I wanted to entertain the crew with a flipped turtle impression.
Looking across the turquoise and blue waters I am pondering the logistics of getting this now, weight encumbered, body up to the side edge of the boat. No problem, the helper lifts me by the bc straps on to the edge of the boat and I make a rear entry, remembering to tuck in my chin and move away from the boat.
After exchanging okay signs and taking a visual into the waters and coral reef below, we begin our descent. Performing the required tasks I felt grateful for the weeks of theory and practical pool practice provided to me by the ACUC instructors.
The world beneath the waves is the most incredible environment and I was mindful that I be an unobtrusive guest. Attaining neutral buoyancy and keeping my hands linked together I was amazed at the ease in which I was able to move through the warm waters. Slight movement from the hips allowed me to glide almost effortlessly. Using my lungs I was able to make small changes to my depth in order to keep from bumping any of the fragile coral. I felt pleased that the green moray eel that peeked out from its crevice decided I was no threat and allowed me to pass peacefully and respectfully.
Time seems to pass so quickly here beneath the waves and all too soon it was time for ascent. Careful to monitor my speed, buoyancy control and depth I found the safety stop a wonderful time to revel in the serenity and view of the wonderful world below me.
The boat awaited us at the surface and I carefully removed my weightbelt and bc and they were taken and stowed for me. With the instructor pushing up on my bottom half and the assistant grasping my upper arms I made a rather clumsy but effective landing on to the boat bench. Back at the resort dive shop all of the equipment was washed and checked over and my personal gear carefully packed into my mesh carry bag.
As I looked back out to the water I am reminded of the reasons I am taking the Open Water Certification Course.
I want to be safe beneath the waves, safe for myself, safe for my dive buddies and safe for the environment I am visiting.
I want to experience the world beneath the waves, the beauty, the serenity, the freedom of movement and lack of barriers .
I find myself blinking away tears of elation as I fasten my lap belt, flip the switch to engage the motors of my power wheelchair and head off to complete the notes in my dive log.
