CAMPUS LIFE 5
February 2, 2011
First breath underwater can change a life
One diving experience can spark an enthused desire to become involved in another world Joanna Walker | Freelancer
For those six proud participants who dared to take the journey to experience the joy and wonder of scuba diving at the Dallas Aquatic Center, their choice – whether through hesitation or eagerness – would more than pay off they would discover. Little did they know that they would get to enjoy a personal experience submerging themselves under the surface and exploring the intricacies involved with
Junior Julianne Solheim, elementary education major was motivated by her family to discover the underwater world of scuba. “My dad did scuba when I was little, and I always wanted to try, to become certified and to go diving with my dad but he stopped diving before I was old enough [to be certified],” said Solheim. Though Solheim has had some prior exposure to the sport of scuba diving,
“[Scuba diving is] an activity that can be pursued by virtually anyone. It’s a life-long sport to discover how to breathe underwater empowers, and then people gain the confidence to do other activities once thought undoable.” - Mark Fischer
HYDROSPORTS OWNER / COURSE INSTRUCTER
scuba diving. Spinning and twirling beneath the surface, floating upside down and discovering neutral buoyancy were just a few of the fun activities participants found themselves doing as they explored and played in the deep end of the pool. On Sunday, Jan. 23, nervousness and excitement spread through the straggling participants who chose to carpool from Western’s campus. With bags and backpacks in hand for the pool, participants loaded up in the Wolf Ride van and made their way to Dallas.
sophomore elementary education major Melissa Chavez indicated that she had no prior exposure to scuba, but rather decided to participate “just for the experience. “[My friend, Claudia Gallegos] told me about it by saying, ‘Let’s go do it,’ and so I decided to just try it,” Chavez said. She continued by saying that from this experience she just hopes to have fun and to “Just have an adventure.” Solheim added that for her, “It’ll be a new experience, and fun.” Whatever the reason,
Discover Scuba attendees learn basic techniques
they were on their way, off to a new adventure. When the group arrived at the aquatic center, a brief orientation began about scuba diving “common sense” rules and points to remember. Upon being properly fitted and suited into wetsuits, boots, fins and finding a mask that fit, Matt Jenkins, PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) master scuba diver trainer, went over what a Buoyancy Control Device (BCD) was and how to use it. The crew from HydroSports hooked up the regulators to the tanks and secured the tanks in the BCDs and moved them into the water as participants made their way into the pool. When in the water, participants were strapped into their BCDs and were then taught the hand signals used when underwater since speaking is not an option. Hand signals such as “Something is wrong,” like when one has trouble equalizing (evening the pressure from the inner ear as one descends further into the water) or “I’m okay.” After adding weight to the vests so that people would actually sink to the bottom, and after some practice breathing with the regulator both on the surface and by sticking faces in the water, fins were put on and the explorers were led beneath the surface and down to the depths of the pool where they were free to roam in the bottoms of the deep. Playing with underwater toys, floating, standing, floating upside-down, and having fun exploring scuba
Photo courtesy | Carol Cline
Divers take their first few breaths under water at the Dallas Aquatic Center. Aquatic and Outdoor From the experience, can only begin to describe what went on beneath the Chavez remarked that Program and Activities “You have to get used Coordinator Melissa Ineck surface. As the practice to equalizing. You have felt that the event was a remember you’re successful one “because continued, Mark Fischer, to owner of HydroSports underwater. I had trouble, those who attended had a and PADI Course Director so I had to stop [to good time.” “That’s what the brought a camera to film equalize].” Whether by discovering trip was planned for, the those exploring the fun of the underwater world. the possibility of doing experiences and that’s Meanwhile, Carol Cline, something once impossible, why we have the program. an assistant instructor, took or by learning a skill involved Both Fischer and Jenkins photos of people swimming with the sport, many of the agree that the overall students found enjoyment response of the students and enjoying themselves. When asked what through the process of was positive because of the smiles, the enjoyment he found most interesting learning. “I can do a lot of by all, new skills learned, about the day’s events, Fischer remarked that he things I never thought I was to name a few.” Ineck went on to most enjoyed “watching able to do,” said Solheim. people take their first “I learned I could breathe remark that for next time, underwater. It was so and she would like to breath underwater.” Jenkins stated that cool! What I enjoyed most allow this opportunity to he too enjoyed “watching was being free. I enjoyed happen twice a year, she the students enjoy the learning from this new hopes for more people. “I want more people experience of breathing for experience.” “Just being in the to have this experience,” the first time and just the process of breathing [and] water and learning how to and added. “Hopefully in breathe underwater, that our pool!” discovering new things.” For those who missed was enjoyable,” added out, Solheim says, “Try it! Chavez. Aside from the There’s no harm in trying, learning and enjoyment [for] we only live once.” Fischer adds that through the process and the outcome of learning, there for those who missed is much to be said from the this experience, there instructors about the sport of is another opportunity, a better one that will scuba diving. Fischer explained arrive come spring term. this “discover that scuba diving is “an Since experience activity that can be pursued scuba” by virtually anyone. It’s a was not a certification life-long sport to discover through working with HydroSports how to breathe underwater Western, empowers, and then people will be holding a scuba gain the confidence to certification course at do other activities once Western in which students not only can get their thought undoable.” “It’s an incredible certification, but they sport.” Jenkins added. can also earn academic “[Many] have to overcome credit as a PE credit. fear of claustrophobia Students will be able to and many get over fear of register online and sign confined space, depth, the up for this class for spring unknown…once one gets term. Fischer ends with Photo courtesy | Carol Cline over that fear, it becomes a an enthusiastic “So clear your calendars and join!” and skills prior to submersion into the deep end. relaxing environment.”
www.westernoregonjournal.com