| So, you're ready to take your Open Water Course? | | | | water will definitely make getting back into your gear |
| Your first taste of the underwater realm, a magical | | | | after your surface interval more yummy. And if you |
| place that has inspired legends and lore for centuries. | | | | want to be everyones favorite Girl Diver...offer some |
| You will witness, first hand, what it feels like to be | | | | to your fellow divers. So simple, yet so marvelous. |
| weightless and to move through the water | | | | 4) Be prepared. If you want to look like the star |
| effortlessly, hearing only the soothing sound of your | | | | pupil, getting in the water when you're supposed to |
| bubbles as you swim with the creatures of the deep. | | | | and not holding the whole class up, then the key is |
| Your life will forever be changed...oh, I know you | | | | preparedness. Think ahead to what's happening next |
| may have already heard this...but it's true. You will not | | | | and be everywhere a bit early. You'll have time to |
| be the same. | | | | set up your gear at your own pace, and not make |
| OK. So there are some things that you should be | | | | any mistakes because you're rushed. Be organized |
| aware of that will make this exercise as fun as it is | | | | with a checklist of all of the gear that you need (one |
| rewarding. | | | | is provided in your instruction manual) and double |
| 1) Chocolate. Face it, we're girls. Between dives, after | | | | check so you don't forget your mask at home. Now, |
| a pool session...even in the middle of class after we | | | | even with all of the preparation and organization, |
| complete a quiz! Chocolate makes the whole thing | | | | realize, you're only starting. No Girl Diver was ever |
| better. But there's a scientific reason behind it. Dark | | | | perfect right from the start. So, relax and allow |
| chocolate has three compounds in it that closely | | | | yourself to learn at your pace. |
| resemble a "messenger molecule" in your brain | | | | 5) Everyone should see fish. I believe this. Some |
| responsible for calming pain, creating blissful feelings | | | | people should see fish in their natural habitat, joining in |
| and increasing memory. So, remember to infuse your | | | | the middle of their schools as they give you a guided |
| body with dark chocolate (don't worry...the exercise | | | | tour around their reef. Others should see the fish |
| you'll be feeling in your muscles will burn the calories) | | | | from the surface, snorkeling with inflatables strapped |
| and make your course even better! | | | | to their body for reassurance. And yet others should |
| 2) Snot happens. No one told me this. So, when I | | | | see fish in an aquarium, where their fear of the |
| came up from my first dive, removed my mask and | | | | water doesn't distract them from the beauty of |
| found that my sinuses had filled the nose pocket | | | | these little creatures. If you discover that you may |
| with enormous amounts of nasal mucus, I was | | | | not fit into the first group...that's ok. But, do try. |
| horrified. Embarrassed. Humiliated. Girls, remember, | | | | You will experience challenges in your Open Water |
| everyone coming up from the dive is experiencing | | | | course. There are times when you'll feel like this may |
| the same thing. As girls, we simply wipe it away, | | | | be too much work. Give it your all. When you make it |
| laugh and move on. | | | | through, you will feel a sense of accomplishment that |
| 3) Warm water. What a treat! No matter where | | | | is hard to put into words. And you've gained the key |
| you're getting certified, warm water or cool...dousing | | | | to a kingdom that most will never get to enter. |
| your hood, wetsuit and gloves with a splash of warm | | | | |