re: Getting in to Scuba Diving....

My parents have always dove.

Pretty much taught my brother and i in our pool. When it finally came time to get officially certified it was a breeze and super easy.

Our checkout dive was in Pensacola. We are just walking onto the beach and starting to get our gear prepped and together when a guy comes out of the water pretty carrying his buddy. His buddy was purple and not responsive. Come to find out the two were diving together. One wasnt certified (the buddy) while the other was. They got separated under water and when the diver found his friend he was floating unresponsive about 5 feet off the sand bottom. Come to find out his tank wasnt full and he didnt double check it before they went down.

Luckily there was a nurse there that applied CPR for the longest damn time. A chopper was flown in and boats arrived as well. He did come to...not sure the extent of issues because he was out for a WHILE. The nurse said she was shocked she was able to get him back but wasnt going to stop CPR until the coast guard arrived.

Needless to say it was a good learning experience for novice divers.