Receiving a scuba diving certification is something Idaho Falls magazine writer Britni Storer always wanted to obtain. After a bad scuba diving experience in another country, she had her doubts. With a full breath of determnation and the guidance of a local dive shop, she set out to conquer her fear--and get dive-certified in the process.
If you ever wondered what kind of East Idaho scuba diving opportunities might be found, a special article in the July/August edition of Idaho Falls magazine will definitely shed some light on what to expect.
“What unfolded was more than just a story of technical skills gained while taking a class,” Storer reports, “It was a journey of self-fulfillment, goal reaching, friendships gained, overcoming mental battles with fear and finding the courage to make myself do something even when I didn’t think I would have the strength to do so.”
Unlike skydiving, scuba diving is a much more difficult mental wrestling game because you have the opportunity to surface when your brain kicks into panic mode.
That aspect alone keeps many would-be divers in the kiddie pool, but according to Inland Scuba's specialists, it's a hangup that can be quickly overcome.
“You just have to train your mind that there is always air. You will always have air. Once you overcome that, you are great,” shares co-owner of Inland Scuba, Patti Christensen. “Since birth, we never think about breathing. Our brain says I’m not supposed to be doing this underwater. After you get it, you’re a fish.”
Storer notes that in a state that is landlocked, you wouldn’t think there would be that many great spots to dive.
“Wrong. There are many places around here that you can scuba dive, whether it’s in Yellowstone Park, Ririe Lake, Belmont Mineral Springs in Plymouth, Utah or in Blue Lake in Wendover,” she writes. “The list will surprise you.”
For the more adventurous and certified divers, Inland Scuba plans a yearly scuba diving trip to Honduras in December.
For more information on Inland Scuba’s courses, trips, and resources, stop by their shop at 551 S. Capital Ave in Idaho Falls or drop them a line at 208-529-2636.