Scuba Certified!!! - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Squishy · 08-26-2007, 07:29 PM

Hey!!!

Just got back from my open water dives and I am officially a certified open water diver!!!

The weekend started out with me being a little nervous. Not because of the dives, but because when I arrived at the dive shop, I learned that none of the equipment I bought arrived. The manager was off for the weekend and the owner was running the class. The problem was that he did not know if the manager had sent any rental equipment to the quarry for me and they did not have any more. If I got there and there was no equipment, I would have no choice but to turn around and go home.

As it turned out, there was rental equipment for me at the quarry and I was pleased to see that my wet suit had actually arrived and was packed in the dive bag with the rental equipment. I did not get my dive computer or Buoyancy control vest, but at least I had rental gear so I could dive. Whew!!!

Our dives were in an old granite quarry that has since become a lake. The visibility was pretty poor when we went deeper than about 5 feet; above that I could see pretty well. I really liked looking at the fish. I was really surprised to see that they did not swim away when I approached. It was as though they did not even see me, but they obviously did. I could swim up to them with my face inches away. If you reached out toward them, they swam away, but otherwise they seemed to see us as no threat at all.

Below 10 feet, you could see the person next to you as long as they were within about a foot. Below 20 feet, you had to be inches away to see anything (or anyone).

The water was 75 degrees at the surface and 50 at the bottom. When we did our required activities on the bottom, the visibility was zero and it was definitely cold! The only thing we had to do on the "bottom" was an emergency swimming ascent, where we had to pretend we were out of air.

We had to swim from the bottom to the surface exhaling all the way. (About 35 feet). If you took a breath on the way up, you had to do it again. I was glad I got it on the first try. Normally he gives us visual signals as to what to do. Because, even though we were face to face and holding onto each other's vests we could not see each other, he tapped me to let me know I could start and then I had to tap him twice when I was ready. It was a very strange feeling!

Everything went well, though even though the visibility was poor. Jane and I are going to Hawaii in October, so with my certification, I will now be able to dive there. I am really excited about that!

There is no way I could have done this before losing weight. It really is amazing.

OK... another life-goal checked off!!! What's next?? Skydiving??? LOL!!! Mrs Squishy would kill me!!

-Mike-

Toony · 08-26-2007, 07:42 PM

Congrats MikE!!!!! you an Jane are gonna LOVE HAWAII! Is she certified too? Lots of great snorkeling...

Duckie · 08-26-2007, 08:20 PM

I'll go skydiving with you! I want to do that soooo bad!
CONGRATULATIONS on your certification! WOOO HOOO!

MiladyB · 08-26-2007, 08:48 PM

Mike, congratulations that is awesome!! My DH used to dive when he was stationed in Hawaii. He has always said it was the most awesome of experiences. How exciting for you and the Mrs!! What a wonderful vacation you are going to have!!

Corrine · 08-26-2007, 09:11 PM

Congratulations Mike - that is quite an achievement.

And....er!..... Do you and Jane need anyone to carry your luggage when you go to Hawaii?

OsoDelDesierto · 08-26-2007, 09:13 PM

Congratulations on your diving certification, Mike! That is fantastic! I can't wait to hear about your Hawaiian diving this fall...

LyndasRoom · 08-26-2007, 09:30 PM

Squishy/Mike!
That is sooooooooo exciting!

Dave in NY · 08-27-2007, 04:56 AM

Mike that is great. I hope you continue to enjoy your dives an I wishh you better vis. next time out

Way to go from a fellow bubble blower......

Squishy · 08-27-2007, 06:48 PM

Thanks everyone!

We are really excited about Hawaii. We leave on October 19th.

Jane was not interested in scuba, but she is going to snorkel with me. When I dive, she is either going to ride along on the boat or spend the afternoon at the resort's day spa. (I suspect the latter) We're going to rent some wave runners too.

We had a close call that might have messed the trip up, because I got put in the Jury pool for Federal District court starting in October! I called the Jury Clerk and she told me that she would work around our vacation. Whew!!!
We have never been on an official "vacation" before. We've always just taken days off when needed for other reasons. Occasionally we have taken a week off, but it was just to stay around the house together. Actually, when we were married (23 years ago) we could not afford a honeymoon, so we're wrapping that into this trip too.

Being thinner is a really cool bonus. It will definitely make the flight more pleasant, and we are planning some really fun activities. (And even some more when we leave our room. Ha Ha!)

-Mike-

Duckie · 08-27-2007, 07:05 PM

That's awesome! You are going to have a blast!!!