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I started my youngest diving when he was 8. He took to it like a natural. But after further consideration of the unknown risks... and a few SB talks with Walter... I decided it would be best to slow down. So... for the past 6 years... I've kept him in the pool.
[Proud father bit]In that time he has become quite skilled. He dives with spot on buoyancy and trim, great propulsion techniques including back kicks, has a strong, well rounded skill set, has a good hold of some serious theory, and has learned all of the important principles of gas management, etc. He has learned how to do some basic equipment repair and handles his little Hog rig like a pro. His last pool dive was blind folded, mask off, searching for a knife, while holding perfect cave form and using a non-silting frog. Needless to say, he had become a bit tired of the pool.[/proud father bit]
It was time to certify and get salty. So, with half the family in tow, we headed down to San Carlos, Mx.
Day one was super. He did excellent and his interest in the ocean and it's critters was overwhelming. In addition to working through his skills he had a chance to play with an octopus and some sea lion pups. He even found some seahorses. He was all over the place finding stuff. Even little things like a sea cucumber brought a big smile.
We were beat at the end of the day and stopped by the Marina Cantina for a huge club sandwich. We grabbed an extra for his brother but he wolfed it down later that night. The next morning he was complaining of some nausea and had puked a couple of times. (This is something that he does on occasion) But he was feeling better and anxious to get on the boat for some more diving.
But throughout the day he gradually lost his drive. I had to scold him a bit on some skills and by the afternoon he was complaining of more nausea and a stomach ache. But he was tough and gutted it out. Later that night I got the phone call from his room... "Dad, my stomach is killing me!"
As I examined him, I couldn't believe it. He had every classic finding of a perfed appendix! I tried to talk myself out of it but I knew. It was 2 in the morning and we were 6 hours south of the border and a look out the window showed me that the entire state of Sonora was drunk off it's butt. Mom and I decided to pack up but wait for the sun before we got on the road.
By the time we got in the line at the border, we had a very sick boy. We live in Phoenix but there was no way we were gonna make it home. We made a dash to Tucson.
8 days later, he was released from the hospital! Yes, he had a very rough time. Today, after three more weeks at home with a PIC and q6h IV ABx, he's fine.... back to school and doin' his thing.
Scarry!
[Proud father bit]In that time he has become quite skilled. He dives with spot on buoyancy and trim, great propulsion techniques including back kicks, has a strong, well rounded skill set, has a good hold of some serious theory, and has learned all of the important principles of gas management, etc. He has learned how to do some basic equipment repair and handles his little Hog rig like a pro. His last pool dive was blind folded, mask off, searching for a knife, while holding perfect cave form and using a non-silting frog. Needless to say, he had become a bit tired of the pool.[/proud father bit]
It was time to certify and get salty. So, with half the family in tow, we headed down to San Carlos, Mx.
Day one was super. He did excellent and his interest in the ocean and it's critters was overwhelming. In addition to working through his skills he had a chance to play with an octopus and some sea lion pups. He even found some seahorses. He was all over the place finding stuff. Even little things like a sea cucumber brought a big smile.
We were beat at the end of the day and stopped by the Marina Cantina for a huge club sandwich. We grabbed an extra for his brother but he wolfed it down later that night. The next morning he was complaining of some nausea and had puked a couple of times. (This is something that he does on occasion) But he was feeling better and anxious to get on the boat for some more diving.
But throughout the day he gradually lost his drive. I had to scold him a bit on some skills and by the afternoon he was complaining of more nausea and a stomach ache. But he was tough and gutted it out. Later that night I got the phone call from his room... "Dad, my stomach is killing me!"
As I examined him, I couldn't believe it. He had every classic finding of a perfed appendix! I tried to talk myself out of it but I knew. It was 2 in the morning and we were 6 hours south of the border and a look out the window showed me that the entire state of Sonora was drunk off it's butt. Mom and I decided to pack up but wait for the sun before we got on the road.
By the time we got in the line at the border, we had a very sick boy. We live in Phoenix but there was no way we were gonna make it home. We made a dash to Tucson.
8 days later, he was released from the hospital! Yes, he had a very rough time. Today, after three more weeks at home with a PIC and q6h IV ABx, he's fine.... back to school and doin' his thing.
Scarry!
