Lensman buoyant about scuba

MIDWAY, Wasatch County -- When my friend gave me scuba diving lessons as a 40th birthday present -- did I just tell everybody I'm 40? -- I was a lot more worried about the studying than the diving.

I wasn't afraid of the water. Going in the water was no big deal.

I'd been diving once or twice before with my friend, and I liked it.

But when I heard about it, my first thought was, "I gotta study?"

I thought I was done with that when I graduated college.

My daughter Amber walked in one day and saw me studying before one of my classes. She was astonished, and she laughed.

The first class is an orientation, but the next three classes, you have to have read two chapters prior to the lesson. Then, you take a quiz and discuss things. You have to pass a test, too.

As far as the actual diving, the first time down I was excited and nervous, really more over the fact of breathing through that regulator than anything.

I was fascinated.

I started to lose my cool a few times. But then I'd think about what they taught us, and I'd be OK.

One time, I was trying to put the regulator back in and just as I put it in my mouth, I let go of the button and got a mouthful of water. That made me panic just a hair.

At one of the lessons, before getting into the pool, we were practicing turning the tanks off for each another. I was glad we were above water.

Then the instructor said, "Now we're going to go down to practice that underwater." Immediate reaction: Panic.

That's when he said, "Remember, we're only in a 12-foot pool."

And that's the most nervous I was during the classes. For the most part, it's been really fun.

At the open-water crater dive, I was so into trying to "equalize my buoyancy" that I was nearly at the bottom before the instructor tapped me on the shoulder.

We were only supposed to dive down to 45 feet. I went to about 55.

I would like to do it again. I don't know if it will turn into a passion, but I'd like to do it in the sea or on vacation where there are fish and underwater things to see.

Is it scary? Nah.

The instructors want you to have an enjoyable experience. They do everything they can to make you feel at ease.

Driving home after one of the lessons, I contemplated the thrill - - and the thrill of accomplishment. Man, what fun.

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