I have a lot of fears; however, my biggest fear is being trapped and suffocating, which is claustrophobia. Therefore, it should make no sense that I would have a strong desire to go scuba diving. There’s pressure from changes in depth and reliance on breathing from an oxygen tank. Plus there are so many ways you can die from it; including, lung over-expansion (when you don’t breathe with the oxygen tank on, so the gas goes into your bloodstream and cuts off blood circulation), the bends, or on the extreme side- a shark attack. However, I didn’t think of any of these things when I decided to sign up on a two and a half week scuba diving trip in Key Largo, Florida.
My instructor’s dog who made going to class more enjoyable.
The first four days of the trip was getting our scuba diving licenses. For two days, my group sat in a classroom in a dive shop watching videos on the dangers of scuba diving, learning how to deal with equipment, hand signals, and other important aspects. We had to take a written final, then the next day we were in the pool, mastering how to set up the tank and putting it on, then doing all the hand signals underwater. The next day was doing everything we did in the pool, but in the ocean. Up until this point, I was killing it. Passed all my tests with flying colors, could set up my tank perfectly, and knew all the hand motions. On the other hand, my anxiety was extremely high on the boat on the way to the dive location. Even though I don’t get motion or sea sick, I took a dramamine. I believed everything would go wrong somehow with five experienced different scuba instructors.
Me on my first dive.
I was afraid, yet there was nothing to worry about. I jumped off the boat, swam to my instructor, then released the air in my vest, sinking underwater. We swam around while my instructor pointed out all the fish and coral. All my worries immediately left. Everything was very serene. My mind became busy looking at all of the ocean life that I fell in love with it. After doing a quick tour of the dive spot, we finished our test and officially became licensed scuba divers. Over the next weeks, we did ten dives total. Some of the dives included visiting coral nurseries with the Coral Restoration Foundation and some were shipwrecks. Over time, setting up my tank and gear became second nature and I couldn’t wait to go back in the water.
A coral nursery “tree”
Ultimately, sometimes my fears overtake my day to day life, but I’ve realized that it can prevent me from doings things I might never get the chance to do again. If I hadn’t taken the opportunity to go on the trip, then I would’ve never discovered a new passion. On my first dive, my worries were gone. I left the trip without a scratch besides a fire coral sting. I love diving and sadly, I haven’t had another chance since to go on another one. Hopefully, an opportunity will arise in the near future, but for now I’ll stick to reminiscing on my past dives.
Me and my friend Libby in our scuba gear
Scuba diving, sounds like a lot fun. I don’t get claustrophobic but I understand how difficult it is to do something you fear. It’s cool that you were able to overcome your fear and have fun.