Well … let me answer by telling you what I believe Tech Diving is and how it relates to my diving ethic.
My passion for diving dates back to my childhood when I used to watch “Sea Hunt” episodes on television. Even with Black and White television, Lloyd Bridges captivated my imagination with his amazing adventures under the sea. Born in Puerto Rico, I have been told that my first words were “Guagua ba paya” (baby talk for “the bus will take us to the beach”. Some of my fondest childhood memories were with family, snorkeling, playing and building sand castles at the beach.
I received my Open Water certification in March 1990, while stationed in Okinawa, Japan. Back then diving was one of the most popular activities with friends and the military community. For me from the very beginning SCUBA diving was a means to observe all the beautiful marine life living around the island of Okinawa and the nearby Kerama islands. Diving also gave me the opportunity to socialize with others who shared the same love for recreational diving and our oceans. Drift diving back then let me feel a sensation of freedom I had only dreamed of before.
Since then I have achieved several other diving certifications, each of these enabling me to engage in specific activities underwater. For example, Peak Buoyancy training enabled me to navigate my way around reefs without adversely impacting marine life there, descending and ascending in the water column with simple changes in my breathing pattern. Advanced Water training provided me additional knowledge and skills that enabled me to dive deeper to observe more types of marine life and wrecks. Underwater Photography refined my skills at taking still photos and video underwater, allowing me to share the beauty of our oceans and springs with many others.
A year ago I decided to become a dive professional. I pursued and achieved Nitrox, Rescue Diver and Divemaster certification with SCUBA Diving International (SDI). The latter, because I wanted to strengthen my diving skills to that I can help others.
So why become a Technical Diver? Since the first day I fell in love with SCUBA diving, I have trained to master skills to the end of observing the beauty of our oceans. As a dive professional, I am now looking for the very best diving etiquette – a discipline that will enable me to safely explore the ocean even deeper and for longer periods of time all the while understanding and fulfilling my obligation for decompression. Yes, I dive to the end of enjoying the beauty of our oceans but never loosing sight of safety, personal and global awareness.
Next time, I will share details about some of the equipment I use for Tech Diving and some of the dive sites where I have trained. Until then … clear skies and safe diving my friends.