On the fifteenth of May 2021, I went diving for the first time. I was interning at a dive shop. I got the grand opportunity to do something I never once thought of doing in my life. My dive was scheduled for three in the afternoon. It was a Discover scuba diving. {Diving for people who have never been diving before and would like to try it.} I was jolly nervous the entire time before three. I wasn’t a swimmer, but I settled to go diving after going snorkeling a week before at the same location.
Three o’clock finally came and the Dive instructor took me to the dive classroom. To explain what I was going to do and sign a waiver. While he explains how all these diving equipment work, I felt myself getting nervous. The only problem was, it was not cheerful, nervous, yet I repel the feeling and continue to listen. After about forty minutes, we went to put on our diving gear. This time, we’re going to do the practical part before the actual diving.
I walk to the water with enthusiasm. I was a few minutes from undergoing the dive experience. All I had to do was pass the three tests. We walked out into the water and swam out to the deep, descending to the bottom. The Dive instructor did the exercise one by one, and I followed. The first one was being able to breathe with the regulator underwater. That went well and so did the second one, which was being able to retrieve my regulator aka “breathing source” underwater.
The instructor illustrated the third and I followed. My exam was to clear my mask underwater, so I allowed water to get into my mask. After accumulating enough water in my mask, I tried to clear it and that’s when things went south. I press on the top of my diving mask and exhale through my nose. Instead of clearing my mask, I got extra water in it. In a trice, I panicked and forgot to breathe through my mouth.
I felt like I was suffocating, so I showed with my thumb that I needed to ascend. The instructor started making the calm down sign with his hand. Telling me to breathe. I followed his instruction and got back to normal, passing all three steps. We ascended and it was time to dive.
As we got out into the deeper part of the water, I started seeing different corals and fishes. I was mesmerized by what I saw. How great God is that he created such an amazing world. As I reminded myself to keep breathing, the more I could appreciate this experience. Seeing parrotfishes, different schools of fishes with unique colours. Crab, different sizes and types of coral. Let me realize how much I am missing out.
Being able to reach for the sand ten-meter underwater. Playing around with the underwater world without touching them to hurt them. Give me so much joy. The underwater world is a fascinating place and I wish to visit it often. This experience is one I know I won’t forget after going ten feet underwater.
Not only did this experience open my eyes to a new world. It also taught me a lot about fear and how it could take away everything good if you let it. If I had given up when I felt panicked underwater and couldn’t breathe in the practice, I wouldn’t have this experience. I am now eager to explore the different underwater worlds. So, I can see the difference and meet new sea creatures. My only regret is that I didn’t have a waterproof camera to go with.
I loved it, and I would recommend you go diving if you haven’t done it before because, trust me, it is a wonderful experience.
P.S. If you ever been diving, please share your experience with me in the comment.
©️ Anita Johnson
Don’t be a pessimist be an optimist
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