I first became SCUBA certified when I was a mere 22 years old. It was back in the day when I was young and brave and didn't have a clue about actual death. I didn't care that I was single and didn't have a friend or a dive buddy with me during the class; I signed up, and learned to do what I'd always wanted to do... see the world that most people will never see.
So, right out of college and paid for by my very first "real" job, I took a PADI certification class. It was so long ago that I can't remember much about it! But I do remember thinking it was the coolest thing ever and boy was I hooked. The only problem, at the time, was that after paying for the class, I realized I was too broke to 1.) afford any of my own dive gear and 2.) afford to go on a dive trip! And, since I was living in SW La at the time, there weren't too many fun places to dive.
A few years later, after I moved to CA for the first time, I signed up to take another dive course. I figured it had been a few years since I got my first C-card, so a refresher and the opportunity for some real diving presented itself. This time around, I signed up for a NAUI open water course through Fullerton Junior College.
It was the absolute best way to learn to dive, especially considering that out here, we cold water dive in full wetsuit, hood to keep our heads warm, gloves, etc. No sissy diving in CA. But what was so great about taking that course at the JC level was that I got many more practice hours in than most people do! It made me the safe, experienced diver that I am today. I live and breath the NAUI mantra of "Dive Safety Through Education". And, because I learned to cold water dive first, it made warm water diving seem like a freaking walk in the park. Yeah!
My Certification Cards: (C-cards)
So my SCUBA diving career spans almost 18 years. 18 YEARS!!! Incredible. I hold a dual certification with both NAUI and PADI and an Advanced Diver Certification through NAUI. I am so proud of those things! There was a time in my life when I had planned to go all the way through Master Dive and Rescue Diver but life, time and money got in the way.
Plus I discovered that I wasn't able to save someone from the surf in CA. Better not call on me to get you out of the waves. :)
Sooooooo.... the reason I am writing this post... is because for many, many years, one of the biggest issues between me and my ex was my diving. Not so much because I was obsessed with it, but because we didn't share it together as a passion. I've been on waaaayy too many dive trips by myself. So when Steve told me he was totally into the thought of really getting into SCUBA, I jumped on it....
It starts with taking your very first Open Water Certification class, which he is currently doing. Of course that also starts the ever-so-much fun retail therapy option of buying new gear.
And then there is the pool time, where you learn your skills and get comfortable with breathing underwater. It definitely is something your brain has to adjust to - because believe me, it doesn't matter that you are breathing; you're still under water and your mind tells you that you can't breathe, so re-training your thought process is vital to your enjoyment and ability to dive. It simply takes time and experience to get good at it.
Yesterday we went down to Sport Chalet to spend even more moolah, because that's what we do - and I found a GREAT sale! I got shorty wetsuits for both myself and for Steve, each for $40. I was psyched!!
So SCUBA Steve is on his way and we, as a married couple, are on our way to developing this lifestyle together. Yes, being a diver is a lifestyle.
It just makes me happy. :)
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