Breathe Underwater Essay

What is it like to breathe underwater?
Have you seen the underwater footage of divers, maybe filming sea life, and wondered what it might be like or how it would feel, to breather underwater? Well, I have, and I did. But of course it took some study and practice, drills as they were referred to. I remember the first day in the pool, we are gathered around along the wall of the pool and asked to swim across the length of the pool, were told to hold our breath underwater as long as we can. Our instructor is sizing up our strengths, and weaknesses. Did I mention that I have a fear of water and do not like to get my face wet? Then, why am I here you may ask? I am here, in the Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus class, most commonly

. . Have you ever wanted to be like an astronaut and walk on the moon? Our team has entered into that otherworldly experience of liquid cold, silence, with a hint of feeling claustrophobic as the tightness in the chest subsides. The biggest challenge is remembering deep, shallow breaths to conserve your air. That first glimpse out into the open ocean, the black deep below, the forests in front of us. All are magical and yet, we all know the risks, the dangers if we lose our head or forget to check our gauge. Stay calm, never lose sight of your buddy. First rules of safety. The okay signal, then we move forward with our teams out into this strange world of amazing beauty and unknown dangers. The silence, coupled with the neutral buoyancy, feels free and I liken it to flying, above the trees, through the mountains (reefs). Myriads of colors, the textures varied and unusual sights to behold on the floor below. Curious fishes swimming by lazily in their coast of many colors. Stripes, dots, iridescent shining skins. The bright green, tangled kelp forests, rich with nutrients, are safe from larger predators. As we sway with the current we quickly check our compass to be sure of direction, recheck the gauge on our air, dive depth confirmed. Clear our ears of the pressure. Downward, we continue into this watery-magical world; of silky-fluid water clawing at your limbs, further into this truly otherworldly plane. Ever present, the sound of your own bubbles coursing

Having to be pulled along the gritty sand, out to the flatter beach for easier exit and to safety. As we catch our breaths for a moment, we all lay in a row lazily on the sand as beached seals in the warm afternoon sun as it finally shows itself, parting the morning fog. Onward we go, up the steps, we find our trucks and cars. Piece by piece we strip ourselves of the equipment, tug down our salty-sodden suits to our waists as our skin tingles with the cool coastal breeze. Ah . . . invigorating! It is a good beginning to a amazing, spectacular,