Here I was again. Falling backwards off the back of a boat. This time, I was loaded up on decongestants and nasal spray, on my instructors advice. But this time we were going 3x as deep. 18ms. 60ft. That’s pretty damn deep.
We bagan the descent. It hurt. But my experience from the day before allowed me to remain calmer and equalise at higher heights. It took me 3 times as long to get to the sea floor as David and Henry. But I made it. And I’m glad I did.
It was mind blowing. I glided amongst innumerate tropical fish left and right, baited green eels hidden in crevices with my fingers and floated weightlessly while 3 sharks circled around me. It was like nothing I had ever experienced, and I had the weird feeling while I was observing the aquatic life, that they were also observing me. I was the alien in this strange world, using ingenious technology and putting myself through pain and stress to experience a reality my body was never designed for. As I gained more confidence I spun to swim on my back, looking up at the surface, seemingly miles away. I chased shrimps near the sea floor and pulled the crossed legged Buddha pose with David in the depths. It was a truly special experience.
Also, fucking exhausting. After two dives, my legs were agony from having to control my descent, the nitrogen in my blood and effects of rhythmic breathing left me feeling trippy and disorientated. We all took a nap, woke up and got dinner. They wanted or go out, but I was in a bad way, ears ringing and blocked up. I slept poorly and feverishly, waking frequently, with pain growing in my ears. As I thought back to our expedition to the sea floor, I decided that it was definitely worth it.
