SCUBA DIVING: Its Thrills and Joys

         Endless possibilities, and now I embark on another journey. This time it is scuba diving. Before I start making my diving diary, I would like to thank my brother, Rain dear, for this opportunity of experiencing a kind of thrill into the depths of the blue sea.

         So, this was how this diving engagement started…

          Age does not matter as long as your heart and soul are willing to do such things. Tiyo Paul who is in his senior years, never hesitated to try scuba diving. Yes, it was his first. And So when my brother told me that scuba diving was his birthday gift for me, I immediately thought of giving it a try even though it was a late gift. HAHA! He wanted me to join with Tiyo Paul. I have to try this one because it is one of the list in my bucket list and in the Bucketlisly app, it entails a higher points.

          My Brother and Ate Jai are licensed divers, and they always say that diving is kind of addictive. They also say that under the sea lies a totally different but beautiful world. Let us see if I will be a sea diving addict too. HAHA! 😜

          And off we went to Scuba World in Mactan, Cebu. The place was perfect. There were a pool to practice on, a function room for discussions on theories and practice, lots of shower areas, and most importantly, the wide and vast ocean.

          The first lesson was basically about theories and information and the dos and don’ts in scuba diving which include the proper ways to breathe,  to use the gears, to do the hand signals (since you cannot talk underwater) and never to panic. This lesson was given by Kuya Val Alo, our diving instructor from TREK and DIVE, who stressed the DON’T EVER PANIC reminder.

          Then it was time to get wet, but before that, let us first take a Groupie!

          Then it was practice time in the pool. I was really amazed to note that I was breathing underwater. How cool was that! Haha! In the pool we practiced how to breathe, how to remove the water in the regulator, how to clear a scuba mask and how to control buoyancy underwater by inflating and deflating BCD.

          It was now time to get real , the time that I had been waiting for — scuba diving time into the deep blue sea.

          As we walked towards the shore, Kuya Val told me that a certified diver must carry his/her own tank. So, I just pretended being a true diver and carried my own tank. And OH MY, it was very heeeaavvvyyy! 😱Anyway, the heaviness vanished as soon as  submerged myself into the water. Then we sank deeper and deeper. As I went deeper into the sea, I felt the fast palpitation of my heart and the pain in both of my ears. I followed Kuya Val. I equalized and later felt relaxed and comfortable while exploring under the sea.

        As soon as I relaxed and got over the initial thrill, I started to look around. Colourful fishes swam past me. Clown fishes swam towards me. I lifted my fingers to touch them. They seemed to be fine and friendly creatures, I could almost hold them. Then I remembered that clown fishes are territorial. They swim toward people to defend their habitat. Clown fishes aren’t friendly and funny at all. Lol!

          Kuya Ga, Father of Kuya Val, brought bread and gave me some. Amazingly, fishes of different sizes and dazzling colors swam towards me. They hovered around me savouring their meal, I almost couldn’t see the background.

          It was really a nice experience because the fishes were not scared of me. They seemed to take no notice of me. I saw lots of coral reefs blooming with their colourful designs and unique structures. There were starfishes flaunting their beauty and charm, sea urchins with spines standing in rage or in salutation, schools of juvenile catfish swimming happily and freely. All these made me go gaga in awe!

          I saw exuberant life. What a wonderful seaworld nature has given! My senses had come alive in such abundant display of colours and beauty.

          From my own viewpoint, if you are normal and healthy, there’s no reason why you can’t dive. My Tiyo Paul, with his 7 decades, dived into the waters of Mactan successfully.

          I tell you it was really an amazing experience. Down there was quiet, All I could hear was only my breath even if I seemed crazy pointing at some things and not understanding what other divers were trying to say like “Okay? Okay!” hahaha! I think I’m addicted na!!!

Tips for Aspiring Divers:

1. Set a schedule to Trek and Dive for your diving lessons now. (Php 2,000.00 only for Discover Scuba Diving). Trek and Dive also offer certification on open water courses, advanced open water, rescue and dive master courses. Trek and Dive will provide gear and suits. (BD)

2. Have a warm up exercise to avoid muscle cramps. (BD)

3. Drink a lot of water. (BD)

4. Never ever panic. (DD)

5. And most importantly don’t forget to breathe. (DD)

*BD – before diving

*DD – during diving

          One advantage in Trek and Dive is that the session is one on one, a you = one diving instructor/dive master. You are being guided and being watched over.

          I hope I can dive again and then get a license. Fingers crossed. 🙂