Why Take Scuba Lessons Even for a Short Vacation

Even if you’re only going to scuba dive once or twice you’ll get so much more out of the experience if you undergo a more intensive training program first.

If I had spent the time and expense on more thorough training I’m sure I would have enjoyed it more.

My husband and I received a honeymoon trip as a wedding gift from our parents and were so excited about the trip to Aruba. I am a very strong swimmer and wanted to branch out and try scuba diving. I’d never taken lessons, but snorkeled regularly and felt I was ready for the challenge.

We flew to Aruba and hung out on the beach drinking for the first couple of days, alternating our lazing with some swimming and exquisite meals at the hotel. Then on the third day I set out to find a scuba aiding operation where I could explore my latest adventure idea.

I quickly found a scuba diving operation. Of course they offer to train you, as I imagine is required. Like I said, I’m a strong swimmer and decided that I couldn’t possibly need more training than the amount they are required to provide.

Several hours later I was ready to go on a real dive to a nearby reef known for its beauty and teaming species of underwater life. But only a few minutes into the dive I noticed that the pressure setting didn’t look right. I tried to adjust it as they shown, but it didn’t seem to make any difference. It didn’t seem like a problem though, as I continued to be able to breathe and continued on the dive.

A little while later I noticed something like resistance when I went to draw air from the scuba gear. I could get air, but not easily. I got a little worried and decide to turn back up and figure out the problem later. I made it to the surface just in time, as the air supply had pretty much been exhausted –or so it seemed to me

As it turned out there was another adjustor that I had not been trained to use that could have alleviated the problem. Since the dive was in somewhat shallow water I really wasn’t that scared and knew I could reach the surface easily enough, but I really would have liked not to miss out on exploring the reef. I’m definitely taking more scuba lessons before my next vacation.

I've also started a Scuba Diving Blog and am in the process of uploading about 15 years of stories and photos there. I think it's going to take some time but I've had some unbelievable adventures diving so I hope its worth the wait!! 

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