11 Jan PM – Divers in Training

For some of us at Discovery Bay Marine lab, Jamaica, we are scuba diving for the first time under the supervision of Fruity the dive master (pictured). Fruity, a certified member of PADI Scuba, is here to teach us the great fun and excitements of scuba diving. For the group of new divers pursuing their scuba license, there was a three day course of open water learning. This experience has been amazing and breathing underwater has now become our new hobby. When we first arrived at Discovery Bay, most of us were skeptical of going in the water, afraid of being stung by something unpleasant. We are now a week into the trip and most of us can’t stay out of the water.

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Fruity, DITs, and some students taking a short break from their research projects.

Today is our last day with Fruity and after our afternoon dive we become certified scuba. This morning we took a short test with Fruity to bring us a step towards our certification. After our test we will be heading out in the water to do some short exercises, before we head to the depths for our final dive. Those tests include maneuvering underwater with a compass and also clearing our masks underwater. At this point I feel that I am a competent diver and am ready to dive for real. This was not always easy for me to dive. On our first dive with Fruity it took me a while to acclimate the depths of the water. When I reached about 15 feet of water my ears began to hurt from the great pressures generated from the water. After a few moments of pinching my nose to equalize the pressure in my ears I was fine. After that moment of short delay I became one with the ocean. Seeing all the fish swim by you and hearing all the bubbles cascade from everyone’s masks was an amazing feeling. The tranquility of being underwater is incomparable to anything thing else I have done. Well , am off for my final training dive now, wish me luck!!

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An underwater seascape

Chris Pellicano

 

10 thoughts on “11 Jan PM – Divers in Training

  1. Chris, Congrats on the certification .. we all miss you and happy you finally get to see the fishes you always talk about up close.

  2. Chris you have a love of the waters just like your paternal grandfather – grandpa Frank. From fishing with friends at home, shopping at TropAquarium to maintaing a salt water tank in your room, I’m not surprised of your wonder and respect of the water and its inhabitants. Take care and we like hearing from the diaries of you and your buddies’ marine adventures. Take care.

  3. Welcome, my fellow divers!!! I hope everyone great success studying a world most people will never see. Use the data collected wisely because what we do up here has a great effect underwater. Tell everyone what a difference you can make to change the world. Good luck.

  4. Now you are able to identify fish by their greek names when you come upon them in your travels. Chris, I guess you’ll be scuba diving on our next cruise. Strive for an A in the class since you are well versed in marine life.

  5. It looks like all of you have been given a great opportunity. I hope all of you take a lot of what you see underwater back to your classrooms and your future lives. The lessons learned here will definitely help you in the future. So, what has been your favorite part so far?

  6. This has given me the inspiration and motivation to go out my self and learn how to dive. When I do lets go out and explore the seas together.
    From your favorite sister

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