Last year in April 2016 I finally decided to get Scuba certified- an idea that popped into my head after wondering why I haven't paid enough attention to the ocean. I realized that I've been on land too long and that there is a whole other world once you dip below the water line. This world that I was seeking is inherently dangerous- the simple fact that we cannot breath underwater without equipment (that works properly) makes it a true commitment. One moment you are above water, on the rocking boat chatting with everyone else- the sea breeze hugs you and so does the ocean spray from the boat. Then in an instant I was underwater- seeing for the first time this new world that refreshed my outlook on life and set my life in a new direction (in and out of the water).
Since then I have been able to log in more dives and gain more experience so that I can worry less about my technique and focus more on what's inside of the ocean. Above water we can speak and argue, cars can honk and pollute, politicians can debate; in general noise prevails unless you've found a nice corner somewhere in the mountains. It's a completely defining moment once you are underwater... the noise stops...it's finally quiet. Suddenly all the worries of our world go out the door once you begin your descent down into the depths. You look around for your buddies that have all joined in on this adventure with you, and as you go deeper you look up... the light from the sun still penetrating the water but with less force. It's a complete emptiness in between the bottom of the ocean floor and the top. Everyone now can only communicate with hand signals- no more senseless chatter. Once the reef is reached, everything is on the move! The unlimited varieties of animals- all shapes, sizes and colors bursting forth with one another looking to survive. One moment you're following a Hawksbill Turtle on it's daily routine and the next you're in a small cavern surrounded by tiny silver fish that reflect the light from above with every twist and turn. The vibrant coral swaying back and forth with the current and the ripple effect on the anemone that are clinging onto a rock- all of this showing the constant movement within the ocean. As you make your way your breathing is slow as are your movements. Every unnecessary movement or sped up breath takes away from your time in this fascinating world.
Soon I realized that scuba diving or just being underwater in general is a meditative experience more then anything else. It effects your body physically and mentally- your heart rate slows, your breathing slows, your awareness grows and as you make your way you too become a part of this world along with everything else.
As you realize it's time to head back everyone readies themselves.... no one wants to leave but it's more then necessary- your life depends on it. You slowly rise, and as you rise you look down and see the sea floor becoming more and more distant. All the multi-color fish that were just in front of your eyes and now looking smaller and smaller. You look up and see your bubbles from your regulator rising above you... they are heading for the surface just like you. Just before you break the surface you look once more down to the bottom where the reef sits... still swaying back and forth... you take this last glimpse in and savor that last moment of silence. Once the surface is broken the sound of voices, birds, the motor from the dive boat and waves tossing around are all heard at once. The ride back is always a special one- the boat lifting and crashing down over the waves, the sea spray, the breeze... the ocean smell is everywhere... sea salt has already dried on your skin and you're already thinking about the moment that you'll be able to dip below the surface again.
To anybody and everybody- thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed it. For those of you that know and enjoy scuba diving- respect! To anyone interested in it and have never tried it- I can only hope one day you too can give it a try- see you all down there!