After my spa treatment I had a half hour of down time where I relaxed pool-side before my scuba lesson. Fernando, employed by the Marriott, introduced himself to me as a certified diving instructor who would teach me how to dive. He explained all of the gear functions, how to read the oxygen tank, how to put the gear on, underwater hand signals to communicate between divers, and how to operate the equipment safely. We then got into the four-foot section and practiced breathing techniques and underwater safety maneuvers should anything happen to tank or the tubes. His calm manner helped relax me, and I didn’t panic at all. We graduated from the four foot section to the fourteen foot section where I could swim around, practice controlling my buoyancy through breathing, and explore the fake coral reef. I couldn’t believe how much science there is to diving—just expanding air in your air cavities can control how you float in the water. Fernando inspired me to get my certification and start diving in the open water. No more fear here!
