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SCUBA Diving
Well, the SCUBA training definitely took a big chunk of our trip. We were originally signed up to participate in training Saturday afternoon and most of the day Sunday and more than 1/2 the day Monday. Well, we arrived on Saturday. First thing we had to do was pass our swim test. I was worried about that because of my knee. Last summer, I wasn't able to do much swimming. I was thrilled when I completed my five laps without any pain in my knee and then we had to do 10 minutes floating/treading. That was a piece of cake for me. I am an excellent floater.
Then the dive instructor came out and informed us that because Daniel had checked that he had had sinus surgery and I had checked about knee problems, we had to have written notice from our doctors to go further. WHAT!? We had both talked with our physicians and been cleared, but we had missed the part that the clearance had to be in writing. Of course the doctors weren't in the office on Saturday. Well, we were able to do a little of the pool work. I was having trouble with clearing my face mask (I kept trying to breathe through my nose the minute the mask was off) and I was having trouble controlling my flippers, they floated better than I did, plus they were bulky. That night, Jack and I mutinied and said we didn't want to go back, but Daniel talked us into it.
Then on Sunday, we completed three of the five chapters of the book work (review with the instructor). I also spoke to the instructor regarding my mask anxiety and she suggested that I practice wearing it around the house to get used to breathing in and out of my nose. She also recommended different flippers to try. I went through about five different kinds before I found ones I liked.
Monday, we didn't get to do anything. Daniel's doctor got back with him right away. Mine wasn't in the office on Monday. So, we made plans to return on Tuesday to finish up the book work and do more pool time, assuming the doctor's fax came. Well, it did and we did. As we entered into the deep part of the pool, Jack decided that was not for him and refused to come down. It was getting late, so we took a break. We also found that we wouldn't be able to go on the Wednesday dive because the boat was booked up, but that was just as well. Jack was definitely not ready, I still wanted to work on my mask clearing and Daniel had a couple of things he wanted to work on to.
On Wednesday, we went back for some pool work with a different instructor. On this third time, Jack finally conquered his fear of the 10 foot section and went down to the bottom with the rest of us. He was doing much better with all the other tasks than Daniel and I were and it was awesome to see him on the bottom.
Thursday, we went back for more pool time and arranged for our dives on Friday. Jack told us he was not diving in the ocean and we told him we still wanted him to come out on the boat. We also booked passage for Ashley and Katrina, thinking they could keep him company when we were diving and that maybe with them there and other people talking about the fun they were having, he would give it a try. He had all the skills. We all passed our book work part.
Friday came and off we went. We left dock about 12:30. By the time we had reached the dive site (the Civil War Sherman), I was looking like those sea sick characters in the cartoons! And feeling way worse! Three of us came down with pretty good cases of seasickness due to the five foot swells we were battling through....All the rest of the week, the ocean had been calm....figures!
So Daniel dove, the kids tried not to be too bored and I tried to care about all of it, but all I could muster was the strong effort not to throw up.
Daniel now has to complete two more dives and he will be certified. Jack and I have to complete four dives, but I am not sure Jack will do it.
And that's how that part of our beach vacation went...Overall, I am glad I did it. I plan to do my other dives and get my certification. I learned a lot and once I got the hang of things and relaxed a bit, I found myself enjoying it. Special thanks to Marguerite, Jeanie, Russ and Mike!
