2003 DIVE REPORT

The only requirement for SCUBA diving at the resort, if you’re not PADI certified, is taking the dive course. It’s about two hours long. It started by filling out medical questionnaires. Then we had to get in and swim a couple of laps. After that was ‘classroom instructions’ (by the side of the pool). The instructor gave a basic course on the things we had to know for a first dive. He also told us about the coral and the creatures that we might see. After class we went to the dive shop to get equipment. They supply the tank, buoyancy vest, weight belt, flippers and mask (I bring my own mask with prescription lenses). It is now required that you wear a T-shirt while diving to prevent scrapes with the tank vest.

When we were all back they showed us how to put on the gear. Then we got in the shallow end of the pool and they gave us some hands-on instruction in how to use it. We went under and were tested on things like equalizing pressure in ears and mask, removing and replacing the mouthpiece and mask, hand signals, checking depth gage and air pressure, using the buoyancy vest and general underwater swimming techniques. Then they had us swim down to the deep end. Even in a pool you can feel the pressure on your ears if you don’t equalize.

Sunday morning I had a breakfast high in carbohydrates, which would keep my body a little warmer on the dive. After relaxing on the beach with Lynn for a couple of hours it was almost time. I had signed up for the 11:00 AM dive (dives go at 11:00AM and 1:00PM). After picking up my equipment at the dive shop I carried it to the dive boat, which was a few yards off shore. Although the tank and vest are heavy on land they are easy to maneuver in the water. The instructors were helpful getting us and our stuff on the boat.

After a brief ride to the reef we were ready to dive. I secured the tank and checked my equipment. I gave the camera a final check too, since I was using Lynn’s digital camera in a waterproof case. There are buttons and knobs with waterproof seals built into the case so the camera can be operated down to 100’. The beginner dives never go deeper then 33’ (2 atmospheres).

Then it was time to take the next step. One giant step off the back of the boat (remembering to keep one hand on the mask and mouthpiece) and I was in the water. A quick swim around the boat brought me to the rope, which we would follow to the bottom. I could see the divers ahead of me pulling themselves down. The hardest part for me when I started diving was exhaling. It seemed primally wrong to empty all the air from your lungs when you’re underwater. I have to concentrate on breathing out the first time but after that it comes naturally.

I always find it amazing that when you go down just a few feet, there are no more waves. The whole world becomes still and the only noise is your breathing (and the other divers). While climbing down the rope I had to equalize pressure on my ears (by holding my nose and blowing) and mask (by breathing out through my nose).

When I got to the bottom I waited in the sand for the rest of the group. When we were all together we formed a line and followed the bottom to the reef. The instructors were very helpful. One of them was Collin, who I had dived with here last year. They kept moving along the line and checking to see that everyone was doing okay. If someone was nervous or having problems they would, literately, take them by the hand. If you are going on a first dive, this would be a great place to do it.

When we got to the coral we saw a lot of colorful little fish and a couple big ones (2’). We followed a coral cliff deeper and at the bottom followed a sea turtle through a coral trench (sorry, it was too fast to get a photo).

Then it was a swim back to the rope and up to the surface. Going up is easier then going down. You don’t have to clear your ears and mask, just remember not to go up faster then your bubbles. At the surface I inflated my vest and waited my turn to board. After taking my flippers off in the water I climbed the ladder to the boat. They gave us fruit juice after the dive (it helps keep your throat from getting dry after the canned air).

I’m thinking about getting PADI certified at the resort next year. That way I don’t have to take the same course every time. I can also go on deeper dives and get different photos. Stay tuned.