© Melt Magazine 2001
  
    Few experiences can match that of looking into the eye of a whale or the thrill of being surrounded by a tunnel of moving fish shimmering as they pass by. As a dive instructor, this is just some of the amazing experiences I have had in the deep blue.

When I was first asked to write this article, my initial thought was, how does one write about the subject of diving and relay through words the diverse and magical adventure you can have by embarking into this playing field under the sea? Encompassing 70% of the earth's surface, exploring the liquid universe not only introduces you to a completely new world, but leaves your mind with incomparable pictures and memories that last a lifetime.
Once down there, your eyes open to the meaning of life. You'll see the forms that evolved with very little gravity, countless organisms both large and small working together in a dance of benefit for the whole. Maybe mirroring our own bodies, just on a massive scale.

Those who look to see beauty in the form of color and relish in wonderment at the process that created such a unique and unusual environment, surely will find more and ultimately return more than those who pass that moment. With 50-ft whale sharks idling by and a myriad of fish with colors that you can hardly put names to. It's a painting that no human hand could ever come close to matching. Unfortunately, to many, it is nothing more than a playground to hunt and kill. To my mind, that is the cancer of the ocean.

Today most courses concentrate on the neces-sities of diving rather than just the adrenaline rush. The exciting fact is that more and more women are partaking in this amazing sport.

One of the first bizarre experiences you will have when taking the plunge into the under-water realm is that of gravity or lack thereof. The second is that apart from bubbles head-ing up, there is not a defined sense of vertical movement.

This is a bonus if you don't like heights because you're not going to plummet downwards. You control your depth and rate of descent. Another common
revelation that occurs in the first few seconds is that air IS actually going in and out of your lungs! Also, everything seems so much bigger, as your brain
tries to take in this more accessible 3rd dimension.

Most diving courses can be completed in a relatively short amount of time. The courses are fun and you don't have to be an Olympic swimmer to complete
one. Some resorts will offer a one-day course. They generally don't allow you to be certified, and the dive is for one session. The problem with this type of
course is that you really don't have the opportunity to get fully comfortable with diving. I highly recommend that you take a full course.

A worldwide-accepted course is through PADI. By taking a full diving course you can easily overcome any reservations you may have and even if you don't
have any, being certified enables you to continue diving. Every holiday would now include a facet of joy that is unknown to the land-based tourist.

After you complete a course, the next ten dives should be done in a relatively short period, because when you
are relaxed enough that your not just thinking about yourself and what you need to do, you can really
take in what's happening around you. You'll begin to notice not just the big stuff but the small things too.
The little microcosms and tiny dioramas that abound underwater.

There are some medical conditions that will prohibit diving, so if you can't dive, read the books, look at the videos and pictures and seek out those who can communicate with soul and passion and enjoy it through their eyes.

In short, get out there if you can and if can't, get as close it as you can, it is something you don't
want to miss.

 

See you in the blue...