Diving has been on my bucket list for more years than I can remember. While on many
deployments and detachments to tropical locations, I always found one excuse or another why it wasn't the right time. Well, I am so glad that I waited so that I could experience it with my two boys! Mary Margaret and I decided we wanted to give the boys an opportunity to do something that we would find difficult at home...and SCUBA proved to be the perfect choice.
Keegan and Cullen both love the water, and they have always enjoyed snorkeling and exploring when we've visited places with clear ocean water. So, I thought they would be interested - but, I wasn't sure about how ready they would be for the serious commitment to complete their Jr. PADI qualification. Cullen just made the age cutoff (10), so we were pushing the limits. It began with 10+ hours of an online diving course and test. Following completion of the academics, we spent an entire weekend in the water - about 16 hrs. Half of that time was in the pool, the other half in the ocean.
The first ocean dives tested all of our courage as the conditions were sporty. Surge, 4-5' swells, and reduced visibility on the second day made for a challenging (and nerve-racking) certification. We were so proud of how the boys showed courage and calm under pressure. Watching the two of them go through emergency out-of-air procedures at the bottom of the ocean floor at 30' was surreal. Later that day, they were beaming with pride as they received their PADI Open Water Diver certification.
Later the following week, we did our first dives as certified divers. Though we had the support of a dive master on the boat, the three of us learned how to rely on each other underwater to navigate, and make sure we were watching our remaining air. Cullen especially showed a level of maturity I didn't think he had in him at 10. I so look forward to our next diving adventure, and to the time when Mary Margaret feels comfortable to join us!
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