As a frog I, of course, like to spend a great deal of time in the water. I spend my time, normally, in the "shallow end of the pool" so-to-speak. I don't swim out into deep waters and I never dive below the surface...at least not very far below. But this weekend, all that's going to change. A friend is taking me scuba diving! I'm pretty psyched about it, but a little afraid, too. This is a whole new uncharted course for both of us.
There's something exciting about swimming underwater and discovering the unknown. It's quite literally a whole new world! The history of scuba diving goes back a long time, centuries in fact. One of the earliest stories we have about scuba diving dates back to 500 BC when, supposedly, a Greek sailor jumped off a ship and, using a hollowed-out reed to breathe, stayed underwater for several hours. Fast-forward a few centuries and the philosopher Aristotle reported that Alexander the Great found a way to hide under water while the siege of Tyre was taking place. It seemed that Mr. Alexander used a barrel as a diving bell, allowing him to stay submerged. The pressure of the water kept air trapped inside the barrel. This gave him a supply of air while remaining invisible below the water.
After the 1700's, everyone wanted an effective and safe means to breathe under water and there were many attempts at making "rebreathing devices." But it wasn't until the 1940's that the famous Jacques Cousteau, along with engineer Emile Gagnan, created a successful rebreathing device that actually worked. About a decade later, recreational diving became very popular. Soon, nearly everyone wanted to experience exploring the world beneath the water.
In 1966, John Cronin and Ralph Erickson decided that there needed to be a professional organization that would make it easy for anybody to become a competent and skilled diver. And so they created the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, or PADI, as it's known today. Since it was first created, PADI has issued millions of diving certificates world-wide and there are now more than 6,000 Dive Shops and Resorts across the globe. And it is one of those certified shops where my little ducky friend and I will go to rent our gear and learn how to dive before taking the big "plunge."
Even though it's only mid-February, there's a hint of spring in the air. I, for one, am very happy to be getting away this weekend, spending time outdoors, and under the deep blue sea. Scuba diving may be an odd activity for a frog but, then, I'm no ordinary frog. And my rubber ducky friend isn't your average bath duck, either. So, together, we're charting new territories. Whatever your weekend brings, I hope that you have a lot a fun. Perhaps you'll try something new, too, and discover your very own uncharted course.
Whatever you do, please be safe! I hope to see you all back here on Monday!
There's something exciting about swimming underwater and discovering the unknown. It's quite literally a whole new world! The history of scuba diving goes back a long time, centuries in fact. One of the earliest stories we have about scuba diving dates back to 500 BC when, supposedly, a Greek sailor jumped off a ship and, using a hollowed-out reed to breathe, stayed underwater for several hours. Fast-forward a few centuries and the philosopher Aristotle reported that Alexander the Great found a way to hide under water while the siege of Tyre was taking place. It seemed that Mr. Alexander used a barrel as a diving bell, allowing him to stay submerged. The pressure of the water kept air trapped inside the barrel. This gave him a supply of air while remaining invisible below the water.
After the 1700's, everyone wanted an effective and safe means to breathe under water and there were many attempts at making "rebreathing devices." But it wasn't until the 1940's that the famous Jacques Cousteau, along with engineer Emile Gagnan, created a successful rebreathing device that actually worked. About a decade later, recreational diving became very popular. Soon, nearly everyone wanted to experience exploring the world beneath the water.
In 1966, John Cronin and Ralph Erickson decided that there needed to be a professional organization that would make it easy for anybody to become a competent and skilled diver. And so they created the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, or PADI, as it's known today. Since it was first created, PADI has issued millions of diving certificates world-wide and there are now more than 6,000 Dive Shops and Resorts across the globe. And it is one of those certified shops where my little ducky friend and I will go to rent our gear and learn how to dive before taking the big "plunge."
Even though it's only mid-February, there's a hint of spring in the air. I, for one, am very happy to be getting away this weekend, spending time outdoors, and under the deep blue sea. Scuba diving may be an odd activity for a frog but, then, I'm no ordinary frog. And my rubber ducky friend isn't your average bath duck, either. So, together, we're charting new territories. Whatever your weekend brings, I hope that you have a lot a fun. Perhaps you'll try something new, too, and discover your very own uncharted course.
Whatever you do, please be safe! I hope to see you all back here on Monday!
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