CindyMac
Contributor
Okay, I was vacationing in Myrtle Beach, SC with my children and grandchildren. My son and I decided to dive while we were there. Got it all set up and feeling terrific.
Got to the dive shop and filled out all forms. Got on the boat, no problems. Navigated out of the inlet and got into open water. So far, so good (not feeling sick). We reach the dive site. Boat stops. Uh-oh. Three to five foot swells start bombarding out boat (46'). Cindy is not feeling so well all of a sudden. Son looks a little green around the gills. I noted that we would be going down the line off the starboard side. I headed for the port side. One of my greatest fears was happening...I was sick as a poor, pathetic dog and hurling over the port side. To make matters worse (in my mind), I was the only female diver. Was able to finished gearing up, as was my son. Got in the water. I thought I was holding my FFM in a death grip. It was not enough, but able to easily adjust. Kept getting tossed by the waves (those things were looking bigger and bigger). Son got in with no difficulty.
We began descending down the line. Have to go slowly, because son usually has a little trouble clearing his right ear. Got it cleared and got to the fun part. We saw plenty of sea life. The jellyfish was mesmerizing. The barracuda are just amazing. And some of the fish giving me the stink eye. Enjoyed the tugboat and plane immensely! The current was enough that it really slowed me down. I tend to go faster than I should. I began to ascend and could not get back down. As long as I was underwater, I was totally fine.
Several people had already come back. Getting back on board was the feat of the century. Those monster swells kept knocking me about. I finally got the fins off and back on the boar. AND I immediately got sick again. This time, I didn't care which side I hurled over. My wonderful son was able to break down my stuff and his. He said he wasn't getting back in, either. I found the place I could sit and get a steady breeze and be mid-boat. I have never been so happy as I was when we got back underway!
I really felt bad for the dad/daughter team. The daughter looked to be about 12 and was excited to be diving with dad. She was in the water for about 2 minutes, tops. She panicked and just had to thumb her dive. She needed a nice Caribbean dive for her first.
Lesson learned: take anti-nausea medication the night before and 1 hour prior to getting on the boat.
The dive crew was terrific and I'd definitely dive with them again. I would just be a little more prepared. Bonaire kinda spoiled me in the boat diving arena.
I have a terrific "hurler's sunburn!"
Can't wait to dive again!!!!
Got to the dive shop and filled out all forms. Got on the boat, no problems. Navigated out of the inlet and got into open water. So far, so good (not feeling sick). We reach the dive site. Boat stops. Uh-oh. Three to five foot swells start bombarding out boat (46'). Cindy is not feeling so well all of a sudden. Son looks a little green around the gills. I noted that we would be going down the line off the starboard side. I headed for the port side. One of my greatest fears was happening...I was sick as a poor, pathetic dog and hurling over the port side. To make matters worse (in my mind), I was the only female diver. Was able to finished gearing up, as was my son. Got in the water. I thought I was holding my FFM in a death grip. It was not enough, but able to easily adjust. Kept getting tossed by the waves (those things were looking bigger and bigger). Son got in with no difficulty.
We began descending down the line. Have to go slowly, because son usually has a little trouble clearing his right ear. Got it cleared and got to the fun part. We saw plenty of sea life. The jellyfish was mesmerizing. The barracuda are just amazing. And some of the fish giving me the stink eye. Enjoyed the tugboat and plane immensely! The current was enough that it really slowed me down. I tend to go faster than I should. I began to ascend and could not get back down. As long as I was underwater, I was totally fine.
Several people had already come back. Getting back on board was the feat of the century. Those monster swells kept knocking me about. I finally got the fins off and back on the boar. AND I immediately got sick again. This time, I didn't care which side I hurled over. My wonderful son was able to break down my stuff and his. He said he wasn't getting back in, either. I found the place I could sit and get a steady breeze and be mid-boat. I have never been so happy as I was when we got back underway!
I really felt bad for the dad/daughter team. The daughter looked to be about 12 and was excited to be diving with dad. She was in the water for about 2 minutes, tops. She panicked and just had to thumb her dive. She needed a nice Caribbean dive for her first.
Lesson learned: take anti-nausea medication the night before and 1 hour prior to getting on the boat.
The dive crew was terrific and I'd definitely dive with them again. I would just be a little more prepared. Bonaire kinda spoiled me in the boat diving arena.
I have a terrific "hurler's sunburn!"
Can't wait to dive again!!!!