Scuba Diving

Scuba Diving

By

Elijah
2-13-14

Scuba Diving is something that can be fun for some, not fun for others.  It depends on how familiar you are with the water.  When I went scuba diving, I did it when my family and I were on vacation in St. Croix.  I asked my dad if we should try it, and he said that he’d find a place to try it.  He found Cane Bay Dive Shop, a place on the north coast of the island.  We were getting ready to scuba dive!

The first thing we had to do, was fill out papers.  We had many forms about safety and tips.  After that, our guide, Patrick, led us into the “classroom” to watch an instructional video.  We then got fit to our wet-suits. (With the help of Patrick of course)  I had the smallest wet-suit possible…extra, extra, small.

         

Next, we were driven in an old truck up to the pool to practice.  Patrick showed us how to empty our goggles if any water got in.  I had to look up, push on the top of my mask, and blow through my nose to get all the water out.  He showed us how to take our respirator out, and put it back in.  We had to do all this while making a buzzing noise, to keep our oxygen flowing.   Finally, the hardest thing to learn, was catching our respirator if it falls out.  (we have to do this while buzzing as well).  We lean to the right, touch our knee, then slide our hand back to grab my dangling respirator.  Then, I would swing my arm out and around to put the respirator in my mouth.

         

Before we went out into the water, Patrick helped me into a smaller vest.  The one that I was wearing was too huge.  Then, it was time to get to the ocean!  After we got in the water, we inflated our BCDs (Buoyancy Control Devices), and floated on our backs, and got our flippers on.  After that, we swam deeper into the ocean.  It was time to go under.  We deflated our BCDs, and took a first breath in the ocean water.

         

From the first moment I looked down, I saw many extremely colorful fish and coral.  The coral was waving in the current, as the beautiful fish swam around it.  I saw blue tangs galore, all swimming in schools.  At one point, we saw a sign - right underwater - talking about the wildlife.  A little while after that, we saw a stone horse!  It was sitting right on the ground!  Patrick motioned for me to sit on it.  There I was, 27 feet under the water, sitting on a stone horse!  Before I knew it, I was getting chilly, and it was time to return to the surface.

         

As we swam back, Patrick said, “Have you ever seen a sea horse before?  There are a bunch right behind you.”  I looked underwater.  I didn’t see any seahorses.  I came back up, and Patrick pointed to shore.  There were a bunch of people on horses, getting ready to swim on them.  Then he said, “That’s what I mean by seahorses…haha!”

         

This wonderful experience contributes to PADI training, meaning I only have to do a couple more dives with them, and I’ll be scuba certified!  I loved scuba diving.  I imagine that this is a love it, or hate it, type of thing, though.  It’s a hit or miss.  But I definitely would do it again if I had the chance!