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Game na, long overdue narration of what really happened in Zambales... I've been racking my brain as to where to begin telling you how the event turned out. Let it be enough to say that there are no words for the whole experience-- good and not so good ones alike. To quit beating around the bush, here are some facts you just hafta know before reading on: 1. Ageo and I placed 5th on Day 1. 2. We finished 2nd on Day 2 3. We were thinking we should come out 4th or 5th, lucky if 3rd. 4. It was only after the announcement of winners that we learned we placed 10th!!!!! O diba! (It beats me to this day how that is even mathematically possible!) Needless to say, we were a bunch of inconsolable kids on our trip back to Manila...Fast forward to Wednesday (yesterday), the bunch of dimwits err... organizers of the event made a Yahoo group for the racers. Ayon, it was an instant rant fest! Since it would be too time consuming to even try to explain something I have not completely figured out myself, just see below the letter I sent for everyone, racers and organizers alike, to mull over. Behold, the unabridged, unedited letter i sent to our Yahoo group--- **** Yes, Tarli! long emotional letter!  pasali! hehe. Well yeah, marami talagang mind-boggling-mathematical-laws-defying-and-beyond-sound-reasoning maneuvers during the race. (and i am not one to keep silent kahit mabasa pa ng organizers to! Besides, i'm not gunning to be Ms. Congeniality.) hehe. From someone who grew up competing, ang akin lang, in any race/competition, YOU HAVE TO KNOW HOW YOU CAN WIN IT. Meaning to say, walang surprise-surprise, clear ang scoring system! Kaya nga competitions are mind games din e. You can't just have the braun to win, there's a certain degree of science involved kase you map out your moves and you strategize based on the rules and scoring system. And that's how Lance Armstrong dominated in the cycling world.... Kahit simpleng dance contest nga pag fiesta sa barrio e, claro ang criteria. At san ka nakakita ng race event na ang last day/final stretch e for formality's sake na lang? Mejo weird lang na there were less challenges for Day 2 when it's supposed to be the day for cutthroat competition given the results of Day 1 when you've figured out what to do exactly to be able to win. Again, Tour de France teaches us that. Odd lang they kind of adapted a scoring system na mala formula 1 when they had 100 teams in mind. or was there a system, to begin with? hehehe. Peace tayo mga kapatid! Just praciticing my right to freedom of speech.  With all due respect to the organizers, but Madams and Sirs, if you plan to make the race an annual event, please iron out the rules/scoring system and make sure there is a more efficient way of policing each task. Ageo and I agreed that we will be more than glad to sit down with you to work on certain details para ebribadi hapi! I'm sure other teams would offer their help and share their insights, too! Sayang kase e. According to Jeremy nga, sana nag jack and poy na lang tayo, minus 5K pa sana on gas/toll fees! hehehe. Yun lang naman. Thanks for indulging me in my little rant session. oooops, let's call it 2-cents worth na din. Finally, these are all BYGONES  Notwithstanding the results, we all had fun and came home with better appreciation of the beauty of Zambales. And yes, everyone made new friends too! (i dunno lang with me after this long, antagonisitc letter) hehehe. Congratulations again to all the winners! At ang masasabi ko lang, it feels good to be overtaken by other vehicles on the road again, baby! Back to regular, slow and steady programming! Happy fiesta, Masinloc! Sana umapaw ng beer! *** It is uplifting to know that at least 4 teams expressed their support that Ageo and I should have been in the top 3 teams. That counts for something, especially if it's from your competition. But.... Well yeah, it's pointless to even raise a protest now. After all that's said and done, I guess the most important affirmation Ageo and I can get is from each other. We would have not ran and raced any other way. We went out there and did what we had to do. Since we gave it our all, we know in our hearts we could not have done any better. And yes, we came, we saw, we conquered Zambales.
Had dinner with high school friends last night to send Tala off to her Europe and African Safari trip (pasafa-safari nalang!) and moi, of course, to the adventure race. (As with Chaw, she's helping ease global warming by going tree planting today so thank her for her noble deed.) The evening turned out to be a late Thanksgiving celebration as we spent the whole time teeming with gratitude over how blessed we are to be where we are... That our respective careers are promising and enabling, and that we keep healthy relationships with the people who matter most to us. Funny it's when all 3 of us are single that we figured how in each one of us lies a well of love. As you can see, we did not dwell on boosting my hunger to win... my friends are weird like that. After exchanging going away presents, we just hyped Tala's excitement over her cruise and made sure we get home happy and assured each one is loved to infinity and beyond.. :-) *** Kuya Randy, who is also a mountaineer and adventure junkie is super excited for me. We had a Kuya-little sister bonding moment this morning when he drove me to work. Since he himself has joined a race of this sort, (San Miguel Enduro Challenge 3 years ago), and because he's just doting and protective-ever by default, he gave me the lowdown of things to expect and other techniques. Goodness, he sounded like he wanted to come to Zambales with me to document the race! Sweet talaga non! :-) And he gave me a little extra for gas and other expenses. Ang sweeeeeeet! :-) *** Since I don't drive sticks but it'd be too expensive to bring an automatic car; it's a toss up between bringing a car which both Ageo and I can drive, or one that is more gas efficient but will require Ageo to assume all chauffeur duties. Hayy.. And get this.. we're guessing gas expenses should come to around 4K minimum (daym!). So if only for the basic principle of economics that we call ROI (returns on investment), we should really go for the win. The plan when eliminated early? BEACH!!!!! B-) *** My SMS to my project leader who thinks it's cool that I am joining the race:
Hi Arnie, race organizers required us to attend the orientation tonight in Iba. I'll just cover the things I need to have by Monday before I take off for Zambales. Anything you need me to bring to Masinloc? (Masinloc is a town in Northern Zambales where he has a water treatment project. And yes, I was trying to be funny with my boss to get away with my Friday off). To which he replied (after 30 long minutes of gruelling anticipation):
None. Please make sure that we have output needed from creatives. Good luck! *** OKAY NA! =D That's it for now, still gotta work double time!
Today's supposed to be an incredibly busy day.. Put my YM status message on DND and this is what i get... You actually get more interruptions when you specifically aske people to leave you be. Sorry boys, am publishing this without your written consent.  10:00 AM
M: trivial question... winna: yeah? M: anu yung DND M: :D M: stupid me winna: ayos winna: status yan ni (brod) yesterday winna: di mo pala gets M: mas maganda na yung nagtatanong kesa nanghuhula =)) M: anu nga yun M: lam ko stat msg ni (brod) khapun yun\ winna: do not disturb M: ah ok M: ok M: ok M: gu M: e M: mya nalang
***
11:00 AM
winna: ikaw ba gustong manira ng araw na naman? winna: sabihin mo lang R: wins? "nanaman"? nasira ko ba tlga araw mo kahapon? sorryy..... R: wina. winna: check status msg R: =s what's DND ? winna: do not disturb R: ok. sorry ulit
3:30 PM (UMAAPILA PA!) R: i asked my officemate kanina sa DND dead na dead din sabi nya. =D nsa isip Dept. of National Defense. winna: around 3 people asked me that today
*** 3:00 PM (my favorite!)
J: ano po ung DND?? J: hehehe winna: ang cuuuuuuuuuute mo! winna: uhm winna: you're the 3rd person to ask me that today winna: :D J: haha thanks B-) winna: no winna: i dont mean it that way winna: asa winna: :P J: hahaha J: B-) winna: DND - do not disturb J: ahhh J: hahaha winna: short for saying J: kala ko dead na dead eh J: hahahaha winna: sana hindi nagpa-pop ng msg na hindi important kumbaga winna: :P winna: dead na dead?????? winna: whut da?! J: :)) winna: tanungin mo si (brod), baka yun meaning ng dnd nya winna: :)) J: hahahaha J: geh geh J: trabaho na ulit para may pang inom J: hahaha winna: right you are! winna: (parang yoda lang)
Friends, it's time. As some of you might remember from a blog entry a couple of months back, my nephew JT, 2, will be undergoing an open heart surgery for a very rare condition. The time I was referring to has come. He will be admitted at the Philippine Heart Center (thank God we don't have to fly elsewhere for it!) on September 22 in preparation for the operation on the 25th. It is now more than ever that my family pleads for your intercession. We are going to weather a storm with unprecedented intensity. Uhm. what else to say? "Please include JT in your prayers" and "Thanks" i guess? haaaaayy... This would have been easier if this was just about me. There. Please please say prayers for him. And from the bottom of my heart, thank you!
 | ^_^ | Sep 1, '08 1:47 PM
for everyone |
Eraserheads reunion concert. Check. Nike 10K race. Check. Pat on the back from my boss. Check.
Sinong happy? No, make that sinong happyng happy? *Winna raises hand*
I am not blogging about Ely Buendia’s passing out after one set in their reunion concert. The whole first page of your Multiply inbox has perhaps covered that already. This is supposed to be a happy blog entry. So instead, I’m talking about this- 
I don’t know what I’m more exuberant about, lending a hand with my feet and making history with the rest of the world, or my personal triumph in the same race.
The Human Race is an event Nike organized in 25 key cities in the world (London, Paris, Shanghai, Austin, Sao Paolo, etc.) where they gathered runners to pledge to run 10 kilometers on 08.31.2008. Nike will then make a contribution to the runner’s charity of choice (WWF, Lance Armstrong Foundation, or Ninemillion.org) for every run successfully finished. Unfortunately, Manila was not one of the identified cities for the fundraiser. Instead, Nike Philippines (with the legendary Coach Rio dela Cruz) organized a virtual run where runners could still make their pledge when they sync (using the Nike+ Sportband) their 10K’s on race day.
According to Coach Rio, Team Philippines had the 2nd most number of runners next to Japan and 19th in the world. How cool is that?! And these two tiny feet of mine were part of the unprecedented running history. It was indeed “The Day the World Ran”.
‘nuff of Macro stuff. Time to be self-absorbed. Haha!
And so the Nike Human Race was my comeback race. With barely 11 days to train (minus the 3 days I spent in Cam Sur), I had to be hard on myself by running everyday. I was only able to say to myself I was ready for 10K again last Wednesday, 4 days away from race day, when I timed 1:15. I ran the distance again the next day and timed 1:12. Friday was major wardrobe malfunction day so count that out. And Saturday was complete rest and carbo loading day. Effectively, I prepared in just 6 days! I’m just so happy my lungs are perfectly well and running is a lot about muscle recall too. I have not lost my mojo after all! 
Okay, so the course was tough and hilly. Imagine running uphill right off the bat! And since it was in the morning, I allowed myself plus 10% of my “usual” time to factor in the heat. After that, there were other gradual uphill-downhill paths coupled with a stretch of rubbly road. That, I did not mind anymore.
To say I had fun in this particular race is an understatement. There were plenty of water stations and the marshals doubled as motivational speakers saying “Ma’am, mabagal na yung mga nauna. Pagod na sila, kaya mo nang habulin”. In addition, they were already offering bananas and muffins once you hit the 5K mark. The bananas I understand. But muffins? The best part was the 2.5K stretch inside Heritage Park. I’ve never been happier being inside a cemetery!
Of course I did not win. My mindset coming into the race was to complete. To compete is another story. Right after the dust has settled, I realized there’s just so much room for improvement. Take for example the fact it takes me 20 unpardonable minutes to warm up. If I could bring it down to half, I should time under 1 hour soon. (I know, I know, I should get warmed up before the race actually starts…)
So there, that is where this reunion with running is going. I had so much fun racing again! Soon I’ll be cross training with swimming, run 4 or 5 more 10K races then level up to 10 milers (16K). And maybe, just maybe, get into triathlon again. Hmm.. Perhaps it’s time to dust off the swimming skills that have long been kept in the attic? Oh I love challenging myself!
The Philippines has 7,107 islands (low tide). I have seen roughly around 107, 7,000 to go! This is why I have a “Repeat No Destination” rule. But since it is with full conviction that I say Caramoan is beautiful (it is just unfortunate the circumstances surrounding our trip turned out otherwise), I am selling out and breaking my own rule. I will go back to Caramoan, make peace with the experience, and give it the acclamation it deserves. But please give me 5 years first. Pagod pa ko sa byahe… *** So what really happened?
Well…Hmmm…
Private vehicle, plane ride, bus, bus, jeep, jeep, boat, tricycle, tricycle--- for a grand total of 14 hours of travel from Manila to Caramoan. There. That happened.
I am not denying the fact the trip fell short of some of my expectations. I wish I had happier stories to tell and more enthusiastic replies to inquiries as to how my long weekend went. But clearly, I don’t.
Caramoan was lovely. Picturesque. Breath-taking. 
But the “road” going there is something else. You know that feeling when you’ve crossed the allowable level of being annoyed, pissed, and frustrated? That you just humor things because complaining does not exactly help you teleport? No, that’s not even that yet. Think feeling so harassed, hassled, disheveled, tired, sticky, and hungry… There. At this point you’ve thrown all kinds of fits already. You’re just there, moving about, numb. I tell you, our misadventures make a very good collection of anecdotes. (Think bus leaving you in the middle of a barren place with no identifiable landmark. Or staying in a place where you have kuliglig, tuko and toads all over for company. Or being in CWC already but not getting the chance to go wakeboarding. Yun lang naman…)
But that does not weaken the wanderlust.
I don’t go to the beach expecting I’d come home with a beautiful tan. I don’t eat street food in an unfamiliar city supposing that’s their best of the best. I don’t climb mountains thinking I never have to transfer to another tent in the middle of the night because the rain is pouring so hard.
I do not visit a place just to cross it out of my “To Go To” list. I travel to excite my senses—to see, hear, smell, taste and feel things I have not seen, heard, smelled, tasted and felt before. I travel to assimilate, even for a very short period of time, the locals’ way of life. To live outside my own world and see what other people are up to… What they think is fun, delicious, exciting, festive and all that. I travel because it makes me feel alive. I travel because it’s crazy not to. And I learn. And I morph.
So instead of coming home with tan lines, great stories and yummy pili nuts, I come home a better traveler. I know now how to fix an itinerary and how many zip locks to bring for a 3-day vacation.
See you Caramoan in 2013!
Everything you’ve heard about this mountain is true. Call it spooky, call it enchanted, I say it’s our next destination!
September 27-28 Mt. Cristobal (Quezon) Preclimb: September 17, Wednesday 8PM, Bo’s Coffee, Robinsons Galleria
So you think you’re a full-fledged mountaineer just because you’ve climbed quite a number of times, huh? Not so fast, boy! Not until you’ve finished this course can you be deservingly called one…
Learn the basics of navigation, rappelling, first aid and other skills that will come in handy for a lover of the mountains on
October 11 Basic Mountaineering Course 9AM-5PM ROX, Bonifacio High Street
October 18-19 Mt. Manalmon (Bulacan) It’s the “application” part of our classroom session at ROX
So if you missed your chance last year (like yours truly. pfft), fret not my child! We saved the last climb of the year for the highest climb in Luzon! Drum roll please….
Nov 28-30 Mt. Pulag (Benguet) Preclimb: November 5, Wednesday 8PM, Bo’s Coffee, Robinsons Galleria
And finally, just so your year is complete, we’re celebrating Christmas early-- mountaineer style
December 6 Encircle Mountaineering Club Christmas party
For questions that won’t send you to bed tonight, reply to this post or contact Brian (he’s the Brian Borja, who doesn’t know his number? Haha!) See you guys soon! For now, I’m off to the beach! J
P.S.1 I suggest you save your Christmas bonus… That is if you wanna make it to Mt. Kinabalu early next year J P.S.2
Enough with the teasing, I’m blushing already! Haaay, fighting it is futile. I’m in too deep. After 5 long years of waiting, I’m in love all over again!
Call me emo but I have been having sleepless nights since I started running again. Oh, the energy of the after! And then I would joyfully await the next morning to be able to get in my Nike’s again to feel that strangely familiar high… oh man!
***  I started running in 3rd Year College. And I ran every (I mean EVERY) single day since then. I ran when I’m happy, I ran when I’m in a rut. I ran when the weather’s perfect, I ran come hell or high water. I even ran on evenings I’m supposed to be studying for an exam. Running helped me in so many ways. It became my daily dose of getting in touch with myself. I wrote in another runner's blog once--
Running taught me that the finish line is just pure imagination That beyond it, life is more challenging And beautiful
Running taught me to stop making excuses and just keep going
Running taught me that every little thing in life that is worth my time, is equally worth my sweat
Running taught me that I have to be meaner, hungrier, tougher
Running taught me to take delight in little things—the wind blowing against my face, the sun on a perfect day, each step I take that takes me closer to my goal
Running taught me that as a woman, I can do things people did not expect me to be capable of doing
Running taught me that I could always run free…
I have to give Los Baños credit for it. I love my playground then. For anybody who has let him/herself run loose in the pavements of LB, each stride is sheer euphoria—fresh air, challenging uphill-downhill course, green everywhere, and the assurance of not being mugged in dark alleys or chased by an askal. Oh those were 2 of the best years of my life… having the whole running track in my backyard.
Come graduation day in 2003, I knew things were about to change.
2008… Five years after, I’ve lost the cuts and form of my arms and legs, added an inch on my waist and became less conscious of my food and alcohol intake. Then in it hit me... I miss running! I miss the endorphin rush! I miss cutting through headwind and zoning out from this world for at least an hour…
See, I did give other sports a chance. During the course of my withdrawal from the runner’s high, I engaged in/learned/tried to learn ultimate frisbee, surfing, badminton, mountaineering, diving, and poker (okay, not exactly along the lines of…) but just like parting from your first great love that took you 18 years to find (learned swimming, Tae Kwon Do, soccer and Chinese garter when I was younger), that one is irreplaceable.
Until I’ve had enough of flirting with running again, I decided to jump in and embrace it like crazy. And I couldn’t be happier. It feels so good to be reunited! I still can’t run as far and as fast as I used to. But like how I got started with it in the first place, it will come.
I’m running a 10-Kilometer race in 11 days (http://nikeplus.nike.com/nikeplus/). I’m still not in proper shape for it and really, I don’t even remember the last time I ran the whole distance. But the will is strong and the legs, lungs and heart are cooperative. Couldn’t see any reason why I can’t cross that finish line (alive).
And just like falling in love all over again, you’re willing to take the hurts that come with it again-- blisters, twisted ankles, arch pain, dead toe nails (that take a year to grow back), etc. But these would not come without the promise that running, and ultimately my body, will love me back... again... 
“I have very strong feelings for you… But they’re raw. I need some time to process them and figure out what they actually are…” (excerpt from a girl friend's talk with a guy who is "in the process of thinking things through") To my Axis girls, the reason I was so quiet over lunch's because I wanted to make my case solid. Here it goes-- If a man could only know you the way I do, my goodness, he’d be a total idiot to pass up the opportunity to make you part of his life. I know in my heart there’s a man who will see and appreciate and marvel in you for being the diamond that you are. And he is going to be a good man. He is a man who will honor you and do justice to the way you were raised by your wonderful parents. Your principles and values will matter most especially to this man. To him, your ways will be so stirring, they can paint rainbows.
So yes, amen to the process. And it is an even greater process than just a man sorting out his feelings for you. It may come sooner, it may come later. But place your bet on it anyway. It is through this process that men who are unworthy are weeded out. And it is also through this very process that God is making you and him ready. He wants you to see that this nerve-racking girl talk of ours is just cinnamon dust on your cappuccino… because your share has been set and guaranteed for already. He wants you to see and feel that you are a victor. Now you wouldn’t want to feel any less of a winner as you and your man take on the world together, would you?
He is one of the most pleasant men I know. People are naturally drawn to his cheery and light disposition. It’s like being cast in a spell… you fight nose bleeding conversations with him but you just cannot. His pleasantries are just too… engaging. Now, this should not come as a surprise. It is one of his gifts—getting people to let they’re hair down, feel at ease, and bask in the warmth of his company. 
But then, one can never know that unless he has sat down in a group and played “Mafia” along with other friends. Mafia... the signature Miro experience. As he has been selfless in passing on the knowledge, nobody plays a better arbitrator than this guy. The offhand comments and extemporary lines that make the game more fun and exciting are things he alone can very well do. And I argue, he will long be remembered by everyone because of Mafia.
Yet he is more than just fun and games. For our mountaineering group, he’s a human harness. He brings about a sense of peace and assurance knowing there is a man in the group who would gladly take someone else’s load if things do not go as planned. Miro’s presence means we’ve got our bases covered. 
As he packs his stuff for Shanghai and takes on new and greater challenges, he would be taking with him his mountaineering brethren’s prayers, best wishes and a piece of our love for the mountains.
You will be greatly missed. But hey, our next mountain together could not be that far off.
I am staggeringly, overwhelmingly happy. Things are in place. And it's just so peaceful these days. 
- Diane Castillejo on “Sports Unlimited” – Travel, sports and Marc Nelson… What else can you ever ask for?
- May Lee on “The May Lee Show” – She’s Asian. She gets to watch the sunset by the Sydney Opera House while having steak and drinking wine. And Australia is just her first destination for the week…
- Anonymous boys and girls of Wimbledon Racquet Club – I am not kidding. I’d run after those balls Andy Rodick and Rafael Nadal hit. I’d even fetch their sweaty towels.
- Julian Huxley (+) of WWF – Not World Wrestling Federation, silly. WWF as in World Wildlife Fund. He’s one of the founders of the said organization and was one hardcore scientist/biologist.
- Whoever is Lance Armstrong’s physical therapist
- Jamie and Adam of “MythBusters” – Work permits you to play with explosives, grow potentially biohazardous organisms, cheat gravity and other laws of physics.
- Ellen DeGeneres of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” – She’s funny and entertaining. She has also been a symbol of respect for the LGBT community. Plus David Beckham was half-naked on her show.
- Andrew Lloyd Webber as lyricist/composer – I wanna make music that will live forever too!
- Neil Armstrong and the men and women of NASA – I wouldn’t mind being commissioned to go to the moon and see what’s out there.
And… cheat mode— - J.K. Rowling as her writer self – Oh baby I get to write books! And I do not have to lift a single finger ever again after I finish 7 of them.
Or Stan Lee. Make comic books and watch the characters from my imagination come to life and make it to Hollywood. So, aside from your own, whose job do you think is awesome? J
thanks to brett (who prolly got this from PADI's instructional materials) 
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If you are considering entering the world of scuba diving, many questions will come to mind. This section attempts to answer the most common questions we have encountered from individuals learning to dive at Scubadoo Dive Shop. This document is intended to answer basic questions and help with your curiosity about taking the first steps in becoming a certified scuba diver. We're here to make diving a safe and fun experience for everyone.
Is learning to dive difficult? 
No, it's probably easier than you imagine -- especially if you're already comfortable in the water. PADI's entry-level course consists of pool diving, knowledge development and open water dives. The course is performance based, meaning that you progress as you learn and demonstrate knowledge and skill. The experienced instructors at Scubadoo Dive Shop will work with you to master your in water skills.
How long does it take to become a certified scuba diver?
PADI courses are performance based, which means that you earn your certification when you demonstrate that you've mastered the required skills and knowledge. Because some learn faster than others, course duration varies. The PADI Open Water Diver course can be completed in as little as three days.
How old do I have to be to become a certified diver?
You must be at least ten years old to receive a Junior Open Water Diver Certification. 10 and 11 year old Junior Open Water Divers must dive with a certified parent, guardian or PADI Professional to a maximum depth of 12 meters/40 feet. 12 to 14 year olds must dive with a certified adult. At age 15, the Junior certification upgrades to a regular Open Water Diver certification.
Is there an upper age limit for scuba divers?
There is no upper age limit on learning to scuba dive. Certain conditions my preclude those of any age from diving, temporarily or permanently, especially conditions associated with lung functions. As long as you maintain relatively good physical and mental conditioning, it’s never to late to learn scuba diving. May divers continue into their 70’s and 80’s.
Are there any special qualifications or considerations to participate in a scuba class?
No. Generally speaking, anyone in good average health and at least 10 years old can participate. You will, however, complete a medical questionnaire. If anything on the questionnaire indicates a reason to be cautious about diving, you'll need check with a physician to make sure you can dive.
Do I have to be a great swimmer to be certified as a PADI Open Water Diver? 
No. In fact, it is not a requirement to enroll in diving. SCUBA is an acronym for Self Controlled Underwater Breathing Apparatus. You will be using this equipment to breath underwater independently while traveling. Swimming is a skill on how to stay buoyant and travel the surface of the water without any aide. You won’t be scuba diving on the surface, right? Although sometimes there is a need to travel on the surface, but don’t worry, your surface swim will always be aided by BCD (Buoyancy Control Device) which will help you stay buoyant and is a standard equipment in diving. Many students learn to dive first and learn swimming by themselves later with the help of equipments that divers use.
Scuba diving sounds exciting, but I'm not sure if it's for me. Can I try it without signing up for a course?
Absolutely. The PADI Discover Scuba (Intro Dive) experience allows you to make a shallow scuba dive supervised by a PADI Professional after a short pool or swimming pool-like session. This usually takes a few hours. Or, you can try the PADI Discover Scuba Diving experience that lets you try scuba in not more than 12metres/40feet deep.
Is scuba diving expensive?
No. Like any hobby or recreation, you can invest however much you want, depending upon your interest level. The price of education and certification varies on where you are going to take the course. If you decide to take it in a five star resort, part of the course fee covers some part of the overhead expenses of the resort. If you will take it in a dive shop or independent instructors, it might be a little less.
What equipment do I need before I take scuba lessons?
We ask that you provide your own mask, snorkel, bootie, and fins. If you need equipment, Scubadoo Dive Shop can help you select quality equipment that fits properly and works within your budget. Most scuba equipment is very durable, so you won't have to replace it often.
What do you see down there?
A whole new world of incredible sights awaits the scuba diver, no matter what the underwater environment – fresh or salt water; tropical or cold water, ocean, quarry, lake or river. It shouldn’t be hard to envision yourself gliding effortlessly through a crystal clear tropical ocean, marveling at rainbow-colored fishes flitting about a vibrant coral reef.
In each underwater setting there is more to see then the fish, corals and other water animals such as crabs, lobsters and shrimp. In warm water there are many different types of reef animals such as Christmas tree worms and an amazing array of corals.
What's in a scuba tank? Oxygen?
Recreational divers breathe air, not oxygen. The air in a scuba tank is like the air you're breathing right now but is also filtered to remove impurities.
How long does a tank of air last?
Since people breathe at different rates and as you go deeper you consume air faster, there isn't any one answer. Because of this, divers carry a gauge that lets them know how much air is in the tank. However, divers in calm, warm water from 15-30 feet can spend about one hour underwater with an average tank.
My ears hurt when I dive to the bottom of a pool. Won't they hurt when I scuba dive?
Your ears hurt because of the water pressure on your eardrum. In your scuba course, you'll learn simple techniques to equalize your ears to the surrounding pressure, much like you do when you land in an airplane.
In the movies and on TV, divers are always running into sharks or eels. Should I be concerned about marine animals?
Many people have been made to fear sharks and other marine animals because of the false image given them by the movies. Fact is, most aquatic animals are passive or timid. A few do bite or sting, but you can avoid these by not touching them. Divers aren't natural prey for sharks and therefore shark attacks are rare. Many scuba divers actually seek out shark encounters.
Is scuba diving dangerous?
No, but there are potential hazards, which is why you need proper training and certification.
I need vision correction. Is that a problem?
No. Wearing soft contact lenses shouldn't be a problem while you dive. However, if you wear hard contacts, you'll want to dive with gas permeable lenses. See your eye doctor for more information. Another option is to have prescription lenses put into your mask.
What if I ran out of air?
Your certification course is structured so that your questions are answered and you feel comfortable with your equipment, its proper function and what to do in an unlikely event that something doesn’t work as planned. About running out of air, you are no more likely to run out of air than you are to run out of gas while driving a car. You will have gauge that tells you exactly how much air you have before, during and after you dive.
What are the most common injuries or sicknesses associated with diving?
Sun burn and seasickness, both of which are preventable with over the counter preventatives. The most common injuries caused by marine life are scrapes and stings, most of which can be avoided by wearing an exposure suit, staying off the bottom and watching where you put your hands and feet.
Do women have any special concerns regarding diving?
Aside from pregnancy, no. Because physiologists know little about the effects of diving on the fetus, the recommendation is that women avoid diving while pregnant or trying to become pregnant. Menstruation is not normally a concern.
How deep do you go?
With the necessary training and experience, the limit for recreational scuba diving is 40 metres/130 feet. Beginning divers stay shallower than about 18 metres/60 feet. Although these are the limits, some of the most popular diving is no deeper than 12 metres/40 feet where the water’s warmer and the colors are brighter.
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