Bloomington High School North, Nikean, 2015, Page 13

Description:	UNDER THE SEAFreshman works to earn her scuba diving license.by Hannah KautzEarly in the morning, freshman Grace Williams, dressed in awetsuit, buoyancy control device (BCD), air tank, mask andregulator, prepared to explore the depths of a local quarry. In adark, cold, murky world 60 feet below the surface, Williamscompleted a series of skills tests to become certified as a scubadiver.Williams became interested in this unique pastime becauseher father scuba dives with his friends.I wanted to be able to go on trips with him, Williams said. Ilove snorkeling and stuff. This way Ill actually be able to seesea life and take videos.Starting the long process over the summer with SouthernIndiana Scuba, Williams spent hours completing an onlineprogram full of lessons and tests. The actual scuba diving was ina 1 0-foot pool at a YMCA. However, the more advancedWilliams became, the more she had to think about safety.The number one thing with scuba diving is you dont want tohold your breath. Even if youre out of air you exhale slowly,Williams said.Scuba diving, like any other sport, has its risks. A diver cannotrise to the surface too quickly or hold their breath whileascending without running the risk of a lung exploding. The airmay become trapped in sacs in the divers lungs that will burstwhen the pressure changes too quickly. The diving equipment isalso very heavy, with the BCD alone weighing about 30pounds.Ive almost tipped over once, Williams said.However, the culmination of the classes was a skills test in aquarry, so Williams strapped on her regulator and was led by arope down to platforms in the depths of the quarry.It was kinda dark and cold. They had little sculptures in thereto make it interesting, Williams said.She successfully accomplished a variety of exercises, such asremoving her mask and sharing air with another diver whilecommunicating through hand motions.I was afraid I would breathe in water, Williams said.After triumphantly passing all of the tests, Williams receivedher scuba diving certification in the mail. It resembles a driverslicense and allows her to venture 60 feet below the surface ofthe water with an adult.Its kind of peaceful. You dont hear anything except thebubbles, Williams said.She plans to dive in the Bahamas this spring and Key Largo,Florida right after school is out.Its something new and unique that not a lot of people knowhow to do, Williams said. It gives me something to talk about.Its an overall really awesome experience to get close to oceanlife and experience the ocean from the view of a fish.\ 3
Source:	http://cdm17129.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/hs-bloomnorth/id/7922
Collection:	Bloomington High School North

Further information on this record can be found at its source.