A diver whom I met once about 3 months before this specific day had been standing in the parking lot of a local dive spot hoping to see another diver. I went and stared at the water like I normally do and he approached me asking if I was diving today and introduced himself. I explained I was planning a solo dive to about 105 fsw (32m), but he was welcome to join if he wanted. He was very anxious and hesitant since he was a newer OW diver and had only been to 70 fsw (21m). I went over my plan with him and explained if he felt overwhelmed or outright scared to signal me and we'd stop and turn the dive. After talking things out he and I agreed on the plan to skim 100 fsw (30m) and head back before ndl told us to go up. It was a dark dive in low vis (1-2m at best) above and through the alge layer. Once we passed 70 fsw the waters cleared up to 20 feet of vis. We skimmed 102 fsw (31m) and he stayed on my shoulder the whole time. He understood that the deeper dive wasn't much different than he'd grown used to except needing to plan for a longer ascent and greater gas usage. It is the same procedures, same breathing, same buoyancy control, same signaling, same everything. He learned that where we live the best summer diving is deep to avoid zero vis in algae bloom.
Don't let the unknown deter you from seeing what's out there beyond the surface. Take it slow. Breathe in and out. Enjoy the views. Let the dive be a relaxed encounter with nature.
