Ten years back, went on a honeymoon to Lakshadweep islands and got introduced to the underwater world of colourful fishes, corals through snorkeling. Though I almost forgot what happened in honeymoon, still the underwater world was in memory. The sankalpa taken then to do scuba diving, got manifested last week. Over the past almost one year, was thinking of making a trip to learn properly scuba. Two of my colleagheues also prepared to join & booked the tickets, but one friend dropped out "not lucky enough", many other friends just wanted to join, but did'nt make an attempt to join, after lots of confusions & apprehensions, finally just two of us went on a ten day long trip to Andaman to explore the underwater world.I just searched in the net, without much reviews reading, and selected randomly one company "DiveIndia" from google listing. Reaffirming my belief, that only good things happen to me, this company happened to be the pioneers of diving & best in Havelok islands,andaman & the food was also the best in the island. Really even after eating for 8 days all three meals in that resort, did'nt got bored or even thought of eating outside !!!.
Mostly spent time in the resort itself, early morning 1.5 hr sadhana (exercises) in very very calm beach not even sound of the waves as there was no water because of low tide, diving till lunch time, then rest & book reading lying in hammock, having nice food from the restaurant, spending time with myself, long walks in the evening, ..... Could just complete one chapter of most horror!!! book "kathopanishad, dialog with Lord of death"
Totally did 13 dives underwater, each almost an hour using the full scuba equipment of compressed air tank, regulators, fins, face mask, BCD (jackets for controlling our buyouancy, to go up or down in water), extra weights (if you have more fat in the body you tend to float more, so have to carry more weight to make you sink !!!. I am almost neutral, so just have to carry 1kg for extra air in cylinder i was carrying) . Maximum reached 27m ( about 90ft ) under water.
Since its certification course, also had to read a big book about scuba, and write an exam. Finally got certified that Iam an "Advanced Adventurer, Open water diver" !!!!
In case you don't believe, here is the certificate :)-
Why in the world , anybody wants to do diving ??
Being under water is a great experience. Like meditation,Sudarshan kriya hard to explain. It almost comes close to one of my "to do hobbies" of going to space being in weightlessness. Under water its almost like being in space, you can float/fly around, everything moves slowly, great feeling of moving without our feet touching the ground. And since earth & our body also has about 70% of water, its good to know this world.
Overall if there is any list of activity to be done by a human being, I would put diving second, just next to meditation. While swimming on the surface, is so tiring, maybe good for exercise, its so different under water, so much relaxing.
And the underwater life of thousands of types corals & fishes , makes us to appreciate nature's creativity & diversity. Also saw sea life around a sunken ship. To name a few, saw tortoise, octopus, nemo fish, sea snake, lobsters, crabs, sea cucumbers,... got bitten by sea urchin. Was just wondering about, thousands of fishes just staying near their corals, throughout their life, just taking care of themselves, without spoiling their environment, without much purpose in their life ( in human terms). Life looks so peaceful, but they will have their own dangers of being eaten by bigger fishes, finding food for themselves & maybe family/friends problems.
And the water was so clean, un polluted . Near the land it looks light green. Some times can see the bottom more than 50ft below, from the boat itself, .
Also was wondering how anybody can see such beauty in their natural habitats, and then on the restaurants eat these fishes.
This is one of few rare sport where ladies have a better advantage than their counterparts. Because of their body metabolism, they consume less air, so can stay for more longer underwater.
Initially for few dives, had some problems. What I was teaching/practicing breath control over the past 12 years, breathing in more gives you more air/oxygen so its generally good for the system. Contradicting to this, in underwater breathing in more air, makes more air in the lungs, and makes you float more, than sinking. And need to readjust my breathing pattern of slow & short inhalation & deep long exhalation.
Also the main tip for scuba diving, was "To Relax". Generally in "airified world of outside water" any extra effort activity requires more air, so you breath in more air. But in underwater you breath in more air, you tend to go higher and you lose more air from your quota of air, inside the cylinder. So good scuba diver, is a relaxed person.
So scuba diving, forces people to be more calm & maybe unconsciously meditate. There are some research going on, how its controls depression and other mental illness also.
Already decided that like my yoga & mountain trekking, diving is going to be part of my life, and finalizing plans for the next year dive trip, this time with family though !!!!