.jpg)
SCUBA Diving Maui Style
WOW! This was the first time I have EVER tried this, and it was amazing. First, we had a short class (about 30 minutes) about how to do a few safety type 
things (what happens when the regulator falls out of your mouth, how to clear your mask, etc), then we went into this specially designed SCUBA pool, here at the hotel, for about 30 minutes. The pool is about 3 feet deep in the shallow end, and 10 feet in the deep end. We did all of the safety maneuvers in the shallow end (had to take our regulators out of our mouths, put them back in and clear them, clear our masks, transfer to a secondary regulator, etc) VERY COOL stuff... then it was down to the depths of the 10 foot end. We gradually descended to the bottom of the pool with our instructors help, releasing pressure in our ears about every foot or so (just like you do in a plane when it is descending), then, at the bottom, we swam around for about 15 minutes to get the feel of all of the equipment. Well, since this was sooooo cool (and since it certified us to go out on resort shore dives with the instructors here at this hotel), we (a co worker and I) decided to take the plunge and do the shore dive. We went right away since everything was still fresh in our minds from the pool. They took us to the beach where we put on our tanks and masks, received some last minute instructions, 
and then walked down to the ocean. Once in the ocean, we cleaned off our regulators (they had sand all over them from the walk to the beach), inflated our life vests (long enough to put on our flippers), then our vests were carefully deflated by our instructor as we descended below the ocean into a new world. I've been snorkeling before, but this is 100% better. you are completely surrounded by the undersea world. There were fish of all types and sizes floating by us, and as you can see from the pics, a couple of friendly creatures (including an octopus) that let me hold them... We were under water for about an hour I'd say (give or take) the whole time (from what I am told) going only to a depth of about 10 feet. I could have sworn it was deeper than that... hmmm... Anyway, I enjoyed and will never forget the experience I had. The link above (the title is the link) is to the company that conducted the lesson and shore dive. They are awesome people and very easy going. I highly recommend them if you are in Maui at the Grand Wailea Resort. The best part was that the pool portion was free for resort guests. If you like it, you can go on the shore dives with them, if you don't, you aren't out any money... GREAT VALUE!
things (what happens when the regulator falls out of your mouth, how to clear your mask, etc), then we went into this specially designed SCUBA pool, here at the hotel, for about 30 minutes. The pool is about 3 feet deep in the shallow end, and 10 feet in the deep end. We did all of the safety maneuvers in the shallow end (had to take our regulators out of our mouths, put them back in and clear them, clear our masks, transfer to a secondary regulator, etc) VERY COOL stuff... then it was down to the depths of the 10 foot end. We gradually descended to the bottom of the pool with our instructors help, releasing pressure in our ears about every foot or so (just like you do in a plane when it is descending), then, at the bottom, we swam around for about 15 minutes to get the feel of all of the equipment. Well, since this was sooooo cool (and since it certified us to go out on resort shore dives with the instructors here at this hotel), we (a co worker and I) decided to take the plunge and do the shore dive. We went right away since everything was still fresh in our minds from the pool. They took us to the beach where we put on our tanks and masks, received some last minute instructions, 
and then walked down to the ocean. Once in the ocean, we cleaned off our regulators (they had sand all over them from the walk to the beach), inflated our life vests (long enough to put on our flippers), then our vests were carefully deflated by our instructor as we descended below the ocean into a new world. I've been snorkeling before, but this is 100% better. you are completely surrounded by the undersea world. There were fish of all types and sizes floating by us, and as you can see from the pics, a couple of friendly creatures (including an octopus) that let me hold them... We were under water for about an hour I'd say (give or take) the whole time (from what I am told) going only to a depth of about 10 feet. I could have sworn it was deeper than that... hmmm... Anyway, I enjoyed and will never forget the experience I had. The link above (the title is the link) is to the company that conducted the lesson and shore dive. They are awesome people and very easy going. I highly recommend them if you are in Maui at the Grand Wailea Resort. The best part was that the pool portion was free for resort guests. If you like it, you can go on the shore dives with them, if you don't, you aren't out any money... GREAT VALUE!
posted by Brian H. Hedrick | 5:17 PM
|
0 comments
