Monthly Meeting

The September General Membership Meeting was hostessed by Ms. Elaine Brody at her house in Paoli, PA. Ten members and guests attended as Ms. Brody told her audience about her adventures under water in the Caribbean and Hawaii. She then explained the different pieces of equipment and the do's and don't's of exploring the 2/3 of the world that is not "terra firma" (solid ground). After the introduction, we moved the meeting to her pool. At this time, dive instructor Mr. Dave Valaika provided assistance and a second compliment of gear.

One at a time, we climbed into the vest that supported the air tank, strapped a face mask over our nose and eyes, placed the regulator (mouthpiece) in our mouth and proceeded to take an introductory dive in the unknown depth of her pool. (Who knew what we might encounter . . . down there!)

For most people, the most difficult aspect of this sport is getting used to the idea that one CAN breathe underwater. True to what most people initially encounter, I found that as I submerged, I still wanted to hold my breath, although I was breathing normally via the regulator. Even after my first breath underwater, I still had to concentrate on breathing, and breathing through my mouth and not using my nose, even to exhale. Once I got past this immediate phobia, I found myself trying to take bigger breaths and in doing so, I would gape my mouth as I would if I were exercising. This allowed water to leak into my mouth and I quickly discontinued doing this no-no. However, once I used my mouth and not just my teeth to hold onto the regulator, I had no further problems breathing.

I swam to the bottom, did handstands, and swam in loops. Although I was limited by the size of the pool, I could easily imagine myself swimming in crystal blue water, viewing coral, chasing fish and feeling as free as a dolphin although I would not be as agile.