One Student's certification experience changed her life! Here's her story:
"I was asked to write my experience of scuba diving. My scuba experience is pretty limited, I just became open water certified in February. I guess I should begin in why I even considered getting into the water. Simple really, to get my husband off my back! Jeff was OW certified in August 2010. He pestered me the entire time to give it a try. Maybe pestered is a strong word. He wanted to share his experiences and new passion with me. He dreamed of family trips where we could dive as a family. I play everything safe, scuba was just too much of a huge risk for me. I had no desire to strap on all that gear and go down into the unknown.
One Tuesday evening, my daughter, Jordan, and my husband went to the pool for a Discover Scuba. I relented, said I would try it, but I knew I wouldn’t like it….haha. Our instructor that evening, Miko, said this was going to be fun, we’ll go over a few basic skills, and go for a little swim. With much struggling on my end, I did those basic skills, seemed like Jordan flew right by. Jordan was cold, opted out of the little swim, but I did decide to keep going into the well. Did I love it? Absolutely not! Since Jordan didn’t go for her swim, we were invited to come back whenever, so she could give it a try. I was pretty confident I wouldn’t be seeing the owners of Patriot anytime soon….haha.
More pestering led us back for another Discover. Again, Jordan opted out of the swim, but I decided to try it again. My first time in the well, I was very uncomfortable. You are not meant to breathe under water. My second attempt with Miko, I was still pretty uncomfortable, but breathing under water was pretty cool. I looked at floating band-aids, and was amazed. Not so much of the band-aids, but the fact I was looking at them while under water, breathing the whole time. Miko and I swam in circles, he went through hoops and even hung upside down….suspended in water. I learned you can laugh under water with a regulator in your mouth.
I decided it was time to stop playing safe, do something out of my norm. Jeff and I went to Patriot and talked with Jeff C. and Merial. I wanted to wait for warmer weather. I said I wouldn’t start because the water is too cold around here. No problem, I’m told by Jeff C., Patriot has a trip planned for Florida Springs. I look back now, and realize that afternoon was the beginning of my learning. You have a problem, it can be solved.
I felt like the worst student. Jeff C. and Merial re-assured me I was not the worst, and I was doing great. I didn’t believe them. I struggled with everything. Most times I got out of the water feeling quite defeated, but I knew we’d all be going to Shooter’s for the best hamburger around. The people that I was sure that I’d never see again, were quickly becoming great friends. Over dinner, talking about the skills, I found it gave me the confidence and mindset to go back in the pool and accomplish the skills I needed.
I did become more comfortable, looked forward to it every week. But I still doubted myself. I completed my confined, with Jeff C’s guidance. He was there to “talk me down” as I was hyper-ventilating because taking my mask off is not in my dive plan, and he was there to celebrate with me when I did take my mask off. I was never forced to do anything I wasn’t ready for, it was my time table. I continued to go back in the pool, to face the skills that I wasn’t completely confident with, and to go back to Shooter’s with some wonderful people.
We went to Florida Springs with a great group of people. It was exciting to being certified with two other women, I wasn’t alone! We dubbed ourselves Charlie’s Angels. Jeff C. became our Charlie, we laughed so much that first day, we laughed that entire weekend! I was enthralled with the fish, of looking at wet rock, seeing Kim and Jenn accomplishing skills we’ve only done in the pool.
Our third dive of the day, Jeff C took us down into Devils Ear, one by one, to look into a cave. I was having problems with my mask…started to freak out and I told him I wanted to go back up. I turned around and something in my head snapped. I thought, I got this far, I know how to clear my mask….why am I letting a little water stop me? I cleared my mask, we continued to go deeper, and I looked into that cave. Frankly, I wasn’t impressed with the cave, but I faced my fears and did it. On surfacing, it was time to remove and put back on my weight belt and bcd. I’ve been putting off surgery for carpal tunnel. Quite painful, but I’m left-handed, and who wants to be without your dominant hand? I struggled, I was tired, in pain, and needed help. I beat the cave, but the surface skill beat me.
Saturday morning I awoke around 3am. My whole body hurt, my left hand all the way up to my arm was on fire. I thought, how in the world am I going to accomplish this surface skill? I stayed awake, re-playing in my head how I did it in the pool. I stayed awake in a state of fear that I was going to fail. When the light finally hit the window, I got dressed and went for a walk, up and down, up and down. John G. came out to load his car, and virtually slapped me in the face. I had forgotten, there isn’t a problem that can not be solved. A much needed pep talk, some ibuprofen, I was ready to go. Was I 100% confident, no, but everyone believed I could do it.
I had tears that morning getting my wetsuit on, but I walked away, found my zen, and got into the Blue Grotto. I accomplished the surface skills….I accomplished it! One of the greatest moments in my life. The Angels and I were certified that morning in Blue Grotto. Each one of us had our own struggles. But we did it.
My 5th dive, with my pestering husband as my buddy, was a feeling I can not describe. My descent, with the light coming down on the water, with just the sound of my bubbles. I found the platform, and for the first time ever, planted my knees down and folded my hands and was completely relaxed. A feeling came over me, something close to being spiritual, a missing piece of my puzzle was in place. Our first buddy dive as husband and wife had problems, but they were solved. I went into the bell, I swam without touching the bottom, I saw fish that I could reach out and touch. My ascent was just as glorious. Looking up, clear waters, sound of my bubbles, I was singing inside.
I started to get my husband off my back, I continued because we were meeting loads of great people, and I finished because I realized it was time to do this for myself. I have so much to learn, but can not wait to learn it. I can not wait to get back in the water. I can not wait to celebrate victories of new divers, and the friends we have met. I can not wait to get my AOW, and begin my journey to instructor. Yes, this chicken wants to get more people in the water, I want to have that thrill of showing other chickens everything is possible.
I’m now more confident in everything I do. I’m ready to take on more challenges. My puzzle is not yet done. I want to thank my husband for not giving up, to Jordan for reminding me to believe in myself, and to all the instructors at Patriot who counted to three for me, shared their knowledge, and stories with me. A special thanks to my Angels and Charlie for helping when I needed it the most, for the laughs, and for their undying support. I can not wait to start planning my dive, and diving my plan with my new found family."
I don't think there will be any stopping her now! Thanks Lynda for sharing!
