What’s Involved ?
Learning to scuba dive will be one of your most memorable experiences. Ever.
To float beneath the waves in perfect equilibrium with your surroundings is an amazing feeling in itself, so when you get to share that feeling with some of the most amazing creatures (not) to walk this earth, well, it’s quite simply unbeatable. It’s not just the new discoveries around you that fill the senses, but what you discover about yourself. Gone are the irrational fears about water and sharks and crabs or stingrays or whatever else may be lurking in the depths, or your imagination, replaced by a longing and an overwhelming desire to preserve what you may previously have feared.
And it’s so easy. Somehow classed as a sport, diving is better categorized as relaxation, because once you get the hang of it, that’s literally what you do. If you had to put it in a class, it would be happier at home as underwater sightseeing than any watersport. The difference of course is that it’s pretty damn cool.
So what’s the catch? As honestly as I can put it, there is a small hurdle to be overcome before becoming the next Jacques Cousteau. And that hurdle is located securely in the mind. Despite the fact that we spent the first nine months of our lives in complete immersion, the prospect of returning to that state sometimes evokes unexplainable reticence. In the nature/nurture cycle of things, this has to be pure nurture – having your head thrust underwater in the swimming pool, or watching “Jaws” for instance. The stronger feeling of nature however has the ability to take over if you allow it, and then, of course, you never look back. Ask any certified diver.
So what’s involved? An entry level scuba diving course is pretty much the same no matter which organization you choose to trust. It basically involves learning the important basics required to be safe in your new environment. Mostly it’s about getting wet, although naturally, and I’m sure you would agree, it’s important to understand what happens to you down there. To make it easy we split a course into 3 distinct modules. Confined Water (e.g. swimming pool); Open Water (like the sea, for instance) and Knowledge Development or theory. The “boring” part can take the form of watching a video; reading a book; listening to your instructor yank on or completing an online course. The choice is yours and it’s mostly obvious, but nevertheless important.
Confined water sessions are designed to make the transition easy. For instance, you absolutely have to be able to clear your mask. This is a basic survival skill. Think of it in the context of dealing with a confrontation at work – you try to avoid it, however when needs must you need to know how to deal with it. Your instructor is in this sense like a good parent or teacher, guiding you primarily in how to avoid uncomfortable situations, but providing you with the necessary tools to look after yourself should the need arise. Mostly, however it’s about becoming as fish-like as possible – in terms of elegance, not smell.
Now you are ready for the open water, and that is precisely where you will go. Be ready to be amazed. The Open Water dives require you to simply repeat exercises you have already learnt, and then just enjoy. It may seem a little strange to begin with, but the learning curve is exponential. The main event is becoming “as one” with the environment. Nobody is pretending that after four dives you will suddenly become the man from Atlantis, but quite possibly you will feel that way. Perfect. You have become a diver – now get out there and dive with all this amazing stuff while it’s still there.
Don’t delay.
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