Suited and ready in Lake Natoma
December was a busy month for me, as I took two scuba classes in quick succession. I dove three weekends in a row, culminating in a PADI Rescue Diver course held in Sacramento. The curriculum included rather intense mock emergencies, and performing such procedures without the added ‘benefit’ of adrenalin proved to be physically taxing (I suppose it may have helped if the mock victims/patients were better actors). The scenarios included both surface and underwater assists, and the most challenging aspect was giving rescue breaths while swimming/towing the victim to shore or a boat.
Rescue class
Imagine having to propel yourself, laden in scuba gear, up out of the water enough to give a breath without turning the victims head, or dunking them underwater! Not to mention the boat recovery, where the rescuer had to climb into the boat and haul the patient in after him, all while maintaining some rhythm of rescue breathing. I’ve been hitting the gym 4 days a week for the last month or two, and the class showed me that my cardio fitness needs some improvement.
This PADI certification gives me the tools to continue diving safely off the boat on Wing and Wing trips, and I feel that my credentials are finally comprehensive enough to truly offer a safe and rewarding experience afloat, be it in warm or cold climates.
Q