Scuba Diving

There was a saying that "Sometimes the best moments are the ones you didn't plan at all." Likewise, scuba diving we went was just a sudden plan, but it created lots of good memories. Scuba diving is offered by VGP Marine kingdom at Injambakkam, Chennai. Marine Kingdom is an underwater tunnel and a walk through aquarium. First, when we entered into the marine kingdom, our instructor asked us to fill the questionnaire about our physical fitness. After filling the questionnaire, we walked through the tunnel and enjoyed watching the variety of species there.

After finishing this, we watched a live fish feeding show.

Then our instructor took us for scuba diving. Many of us would have the doubt whether we should know swimming for scuba diving. But no need to know swimming for this. First we had a briefing session lasted for 15 to 20 minutes. That session provided  the explanation and procedures of scuba diving plus dos and don'ts of scuba diving. 

I came to know that Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus was the full form of scuba, which shocked me a lot during the session. I really don't know that scuba is an acronym. Explanation about the diving suits was also given during the session. The diving suits consisted of long semi dry suit, cylinder, pressure gauge, fin socks and mask. 

After completion of the  session, we were taken to the pool. There, each one of us were assigned with a well-trained diver. Divers would help us to put on our diving cylinder, mask and fin socks. The first main thing, divers told us that we should not try to swim, and also we should not try to touch the fishes there, only the divers would take us through the water by holding our cylinder at the back. 

Then they taught us about the breathing techniques inside the water. We should breathe only through our mouth and also there were some problems to be handled inside the water like water entering through the mask and ear pain during diving. The divers taught us how to handle those situations. 

Since the tank was deep, we got ear pain during the diving. It was caused due to the change of pressure in water. To stop the pain in our ear, we did one method called equalizing. Press the nose, inhale the air through  the mouth and try to exhale the air through the nose. Inside the water we could not able to talk, so divers taught us some hand symbols to communicate inside the water. 

After the successful completion of our training, we were taken inside the tank. I had the fear at the beginning, but after seeing the fishes and the  scenery of the sea, I really enjoyed it. Viewers at the marine kingdom were amazed on seeing us, especially children. 

To keep the fishes alive, the water inside the tank was directly from the sea. We were allowed to be inside the water for 45 minutes (15 minutes training and 30 minutes diving). Last 5 minutes I got shivering since the water was very cold. 

The most common problem faced by all would be that ear pain during the diving. That too could be solved by the equalizing method. But for us, mild ear pain lasted for 2 days after scuba diving. As a whole, it was a nice experience. 😀😀😀😀