Rizal Malik's Blog
My stories, my thoughts, my world.

Been there, done that.

I passed the open water diving course yesterday, after 4 open water dives around Kotok Besar island in the bay of Jakarta. Now I can call myself an open water diver, the entry-level certification in the PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) system.

The first dive in the open sea is really a humbling experience. It was completely a different experience than the pool dives that I have had during training exercises. I have to overcome my fear, control my buoyancy, and feel uncomfortable when I have to breathe from the regulator. I was a little bit anxious when I have to do mask opening exercise. I almost forgot that I breathe with my mouth (with air from the regulator), and not with my nose. I got panicky when the seawater hit my eyes and my nose. I almost inflate my BCD (buoyancy control device) to ascend to the surface. In the end I manage to control my fear and to stay under water. A few more exercises, and I manage to control my buoyancy and my breathing.

The reward is tremendous. It is so peaceful and beautiful under the sea. I can really appreciate the wonder and harmony that has been created by nature (and destroyed by human). Now I can understand why diving is so addictive.

2007-12-17 14:36:19 GMT

Comments (2 total)

Author:Anonymous

hehe.. congratz dad... may i ask a diving course as my next birthday present? hwhehe...
--bunga
<http://www.una-acih.tk>

2007-12-18 03:47:20 GMT

Author:Anonymous

Yeah, why not? So we can go for a diving trip together.
--Ay

2007-12-18 16:00:33 GMT

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