I am glad I found this website. It's well organized and frequently visited/updated. I'm looking forward to chat with members around the world.
Who am I? I am "Ellinida" (user name) and it means Greek female (spelled out "Ελληνίδα" in Greek letters). I live in Athens, Greece and I visit USA 4 times a year (approx.). When I am in the states, I try to squeeze a diving vacation in my schedule. My base (as in free stay) in USA is in CT, NJ and NY as most of my friends/relatives live in the tri-state area. I returned to scuba diving after a 1.5 year break due to pregnancy and nursing. It was not easy but not impossible!
Personally, I've been drawn to diving for two reasons. There are times when I dive to escape and relax, and others when I'm seeking an adrenaline rush. But for me there's more to diving than its mental health benefits or its emotional appeal. I love it because it's also intellectually engaging. Call me a geek, but one of the strongest appeals that diving holds for me is that it's so deeply immersed in science.
Finally, I love scuba because it's not only fun but it's also good for my body. Diving physicians believe that the more physically fit the individual, the less risk in diving. For me, this is the only hobby that motivates me to stay physically fit. Exercise and good nutrition have become part of my lifestyle - just like getting up in the morning to go to work. Everytime I exercise at the gym or run/walk outside, I think that 1) I'm more physically fit (than last week) and I will use less air, 2) I reduce the risk of heart attack, and 3) I reduce the risk of developing DCS. Before I discovered scuba diving, I used to fool myself by exercising three months prior the summer season to look good at the beach or fit in my cloths. Now, I exercise 3 times a week to build strength (lift all the diving gear - tank, weight belt, etc) and stamina for unexpected physical stress such as swimming against a current, climbing onto an unsteady boat, or rescuing a "tired out" buddy.
Stay fit & Dive safe! Good divers are always learning ..
Who am I? I am "Ellinida" (user name) and it means Greek female (spelled out "Ελληνίδα" in Greek letters). I live in Athens, Greece and I visit USA 4 times a year (approx.). When I am in the states, I try to squeeze a diving vacation in my schedule. My base (as in free stay) in USA is in CT, NJ and NY as most of my friends/relatives live in the tri-state area. I returned to scuba diving after a 1.5 year break due to pregnancy and nursing. It was not easy but not impossible!
Personally, I've been drawn to diving for two reasons. There are times when I dive to escape and relax, and others when I'm seeking an adrenaline rush. But for me there's more to diving than its mental health benefits or its emotional appeal. I love it because it's also intellectually engaging. Call me a geek, but one of the strongest appeals that diving holds for me is that it's so deeply immersed in science.
Finally, I love scuba because it's not only fun but it's also good for my body. Diving physicians believe that the more physically fit the individual, the less risk in diving. For me, this is the only hobby that motivates me to stay physically fit. Exercise and good nutrition have become part of my lifestyle - just like getting up in the morning to go to work. Everytime I exercise at the gym or run/walk outside, I think that 1) I'm more physically fit (than last week) and I will use less air, 2) I reduce the risk of heart attack, and 3) I reduce the risk of developing DCS. Before I discovered scuba diving, I used to fool myself by exercising three months prior the summer season to look good at the beach or fit in my cloths. Now, I exercise 3 times a week to build strength (lift all the diving gear - tank, weight belt, etc) and stamina for unexpected physical stress such as swimming against a current, climbing onto an unsteady boat, or rescuing a "tired out" buddy.
Stay fit & Dive safe! Good divers are always learning ..