Diving In

One thing I really wanted to do on this trip was learn to dive. When I arrived in Gili, I knew this was the place. I stayed several extra days in Gili Air and signed up at Blue Marlin Diving. We had a fun group from Germany, Mexico and the US with two awesome instructors from Switzerland and Finland. To get your PADI certification, you complete a 3-day class that includes theory, pool/ocean skills and 4 dives.

My first dive went really well – equalized successfully, passed all my skills. We had a break for lunch and then had more theory and skills in the pool followed by a second dive. I had started not feeling well but decided to push through. I got 12 meters down and started struggling to equalize and then I started to panic because I was too deep to go straight back to the surface. More panic followed. Panicking underwater is truly terrifying. I knew it was irrational but struggled to calm myself. Then one of the instructors appeared in front of me like an angel, put is arms on my shoulders and managed to calm me down and me safely back up to the surface. After a few minutes we tried to go back down again, but I still couldn’t equalize and after several attempts I had to forfeit the dive.

I don’t give up. I’ve done 4 Ironmans. I have more perseverance than most. Quitting despite it being uncomfortable is not part of my vocabulary. So the following day, I was determined to try again despite the fact I woke up with a sinus infection (for anyone that’s never dived, this is number one no no – never dive with a head cold because you can’t equalize yours ears). Since the rest of the class had already finished both 12 meter dives, they moved on to 18 meters and I had to do a one-on-one dive with one of the instructors at 12 meters. We slowly descended and I never made it below 4 meters after 5 attempts. The pressure on my ears was like someone was sticking a knife into the side of my head. 

I was so bummed and frustrated. This was the first time I ever tried anything athletic that there was no possible way to push through the pain. In the end, I finished the class minus 3 dives and some underwater ocean skills. I’m determined to try again when I’m healthy. Lesson learned that sometimes the body says no and you really have to listen. Hoping to try again in the Philippines!