Diving with the Tickle Sticks By JAMES PARKER

While in the Keys the South East Coastal Tickle Sticks attempted to get their scuba certifications. We all did two days of class work. The first day we watched a video on diving while filling in answers in our books. On the second day we had a dive instructor named JB come and teach us everything we needed to know to pass the test. We took the test later that day and everyone passed. The next day we had our first day under the water. Although it was in a pool, it gave us a chance to experience what breathing underwater was like before the real thing. We went over the basics of diving and learned many skills needed for diving. Later that day JB informed us that we all passed the pool portion of the class. The next day was the real thing. Many of us were nervous about our first dive in the open water. We all took a boat out to Looe Key. Once there, we put on our gear and jumped in. This was the moment everyone had been waiting for. After everyone hopped in JB signaled us to go under the water. With hearts racing and nerves building up we all went under. The first breath was amazing. Down 15 feet below the surface was like being in a whole new world. The sound of bubbles coming from our regulators was the only sound heard. Something about being under the water, swimming with the fish, was a whole new experience. New sensations filled out bodies. It was incredible. The first dive we got the hang of being underwater. The second dive we focused more on skills like taking off equipment and putting it back on. Everyone completed two of the four dives needed to get their open water certification. The next few days brought bad weather. About four days later we had our final two dives. The first dive that day we focused on clearing our masks and taking weight belts on and off. The second dive of the day was navigation. Once out of the water JB congratulated us on getting our open water certifications. Swimming with the fish, breathing underwater, and new sensations, it was all worth it. Diving is one of the most fun things anyone can do. If you don’t already having a certification I recommend you go out and get it.