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By Clars Guerrero, Contributor
Scuba diving is usually perceived as an
adrenaline-filled, testosterone-charged activity.
Ingrained in popular imagination are images of
divers facing sharks, barracuda and other large marine life in the
dark depths of the ocean while swimming furiously against the
current. While diving can provide the adventure of a lifetime, it
can also be a very relaxing, serene experience.
Imagine floating weightless underwater,
breathing deeply at an almost yoga like slowness, with only the
slight flick of your foot needed to propel you forward. Or catch a
mild to medium current and speed effortlessly above the ocean bottom
to feel a close approximation of what flying must be like. Even when
with other divers, you can be alone with your thoughts in a bubble
of near silence, the only sound that of your own breathing.
Enjoy the visual spectacle of being surrounded
by a colorful array of corals swaying softly in the current like a
meadow of flowers dancing in a gentle breeze, with various schools
of tropical fish passing by. Then there’s the occasional cameo
appearance of less usual marine life sightings—a turtle lazily
swimming past, an octopus meandering amongst the corals, a puffer
fish shyly peeking out of its hiding place—to make the experience
even more delightful.
The dive experience does not start and end with
the dives themselves. Just as enjoyable is traveling to and from the
site with your dive buddies, talking about anything and everything
from past dives to catching up on life in general. And last, but
definitely not the least, is the great meal you cannot help but
reward yourself with after diving. It’s not a bad way to spend a
Saturday.
With the abundance of dive sites in the
Philippines and in our Southeast Asian neighbors, you can control
your dive trip to be the type of experience you want it to be. If
the “relaxed” diving described above sounds more up your alley,
here are a few tips to make it happen:
1. The key to ensure diving is a
stress-relieving activity rather than a stressful one is being able
to relax underwater. While being a competitive-level swimmer is not
necessary to become a good diver, at least knowing how to swim will
significantly increase your confidence and comfort at being
submerged at least 60 feet under the ocean for significant amounts
of time.
2. Pick dive buddies who have the same
objectives as you do. Even just one “rogue” diver who swims at a
much faster pace or likes to swim against the current in search for
big fish, can turn the dive into a stressful one since you will
either be forced to swim after him, or worry where he’s off to.
3. Dive with people who have the same dive
experience and competency level, or more experienced divers. This
way you won’t spend most of the dive looking after significantly
less experienced divers and can focus on enjoying the experience.
4. Develop a regular dive group that you can
continue diving with over time. This lets you really get to know
each other’s skills and habits underwater and also strengthens
trust, which will help you all relax and dive better together.
5. Do not attempt to take on more than you can
handle, or are trained/certified for. The dive master always knows
the expected depth and current strength per dive site depending on
the time of day. If you don’t feel comfortable with the dive
conditions, just say “no” and pick another dive site or a
different time of day when currents are weaker. Most dive
destinations, whether nearby Anilao or fabulous Sipadan, have enough
dive sites to meet your experience level and desired dive
conditions. Also, so many newly certified divers immediately try to
take up underwater photography. Until you get to point where
managing your buoyancy and navigating strong currents is second
nature, resist the temptation to bring a camera.
6. Last but not the least, be patient. Just like
any other hobby, it may take several tries before you acquire the
skill and experience to be confident underwater. But once you do,
diving is an activity you can enjoy for years and even decades to
come.
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