By ANDRIANNA MARSTON

alm045@latech.edu

 

A leisure-learning scuba diving program at Tech is not only teaching students basic skills for the water sport, but is also opening a door to an underwater wildlife many have never seen.

Ben Dillingham, instructor for the continuing education scuba course and a professional diver, said the first nationally organized course for scuba certification was developed over 45 years ago, and he believes it is one of the most popular water sports today.

“Scuba diving has to be the most exciting and fun educational physical education course around,” Dillingham said.

Dillingham said his main objective is to teach students how to use the underwater equipment.

“Scuba is an acronym for self contained underwater breathing apparatus,” Dillingham said.

“So I teach students how to put the equipment together, how to breathe underwater and gas laws for how long a person can stay under water.”

Scuba diving is an equal opportunity sport, but there are a few stipulations on age and skill, Dillingham said.

“The minimum age for someone to be a scuba diver is ten, and there is no maximum age,” Dillingham said.

“And it is important to know how to swim ...  students have to be comfortable in the water.”

Every student enrolled is taking the scuba course for different reasons.

Eric Rowell, a freshman psychology major, said he jumped quickly to enroll when he learned about the program.

“I have swum competitively for years,” Rowell said. “And scuba diving is something I have always wanted to do, but I never had the opportunity to take up a lesson.”

Scuba diving is an easy sport once the basics are learned, Rowell said.

“You could almost describe it as a lazy man’s sport,” Rowell said.

Some students agreed the sport is fun, but because of all of the precautions, staying on the right track  becomes a little tedious.

Kevin Thomas, a freshman basic and career studies major, said a student should have a firm understanding of whether scuba diving is something he or she really wants to do.

“Even though I enjoy the course, I’ve learned it is impossible to learn everything in one lesson because of all of the rules,” Thomas said.

Although it is winter time, Dillingham said any time during the year is a good time to dive.

“Since it is winter no one really wants to dive,” Dillingham said.

“However when the spring arrives, everyone will want to enroll in the water sport.”