Do my open water Scuba certification PADI

“On this day, our instructor briefed us for our first Confined Water Dive. Standing waist-deep in water, we placed our hands on our inflator hoses, deflating our BCDS and sinking beneath the crystal surface. Somewhat instinctively and somewhat hesitantly, I inhaled. Immediately, I noticed the difference between the air coming through the hose and the humid Caribbean breeze. This filtered air was drier, and it took me by surprise. I took one slow deep breath and then another slightly quicker one. Although I consciously knew that I was receiving air and oxygen, I began to panic. A small voice in my head grew louder, fearing that I was suffocating, even though I knew it was not true.”

“The first time I drew a breath underwater I was standing on my knees, face to face with my instructor, just off a beach in the Maldives. We did nothing but breathe for several minutes, so that I would get used to the sensation. It was absolutely magical.”

“I was very lucky to complete my course in the Red Sea in Egypt. It involved taking a boat out, setting up my own equipment and completing various exercises underwater, all of which I had practised in a pool in the UK. Once I had completed the course, I made use of the lovely weather and stunning waters in Egypt and completed more open water dives. Being my first time in open water, I had no idea what to expect, yet my expectations were still exceeded. We saw many different species of fish including butterfly fish and boxfish swimming amongst the corals.”