I'm telling this story because (1) it's awesome, (2) it makes me feel better and (3) I don't think my oldest friend David will mind.
So I was recounting to David how I had my little freak out when I tried scuba diving for the first time a few weeks ago in Bali. He said he completely understood and then explained his lengthy process of teaching himself how to snorkel. Here's his story….
So a few years ago, I was planning a trip to Hawaii, where I knew I was going snorkeling for the first time. I didn't want to snorkel without preparation, so I got a snorkel and mask and practiced at home.
First I began in the sink. That's right, I filled up the kitchen sink and practiced using my mask to look into the sink. After I felt like I had mastered that, I put on the snorkel and practiced breathing under water, in the kitchen. I did this several times until I felt comfortable and not like I was going to die.
Then I graduated to… the bathtub. I practiced again and again in the bath, until I felt reasonably confident. Finally I went all out and took the plunge to snorkeling in the shallow end of the pool. Eventually I was able to get to the deep end without undue stress.
Only after months of practice in the sink, tub and pool did I finally feel confident enough to go actually snorkeling in an actual ocean.
That sounds like a scaffolded, slow process that is more my style! So I wonder what scuba programs start you off in the kitchen sink?
[Creative Commons licensed image by IceBone]