As a diving instructor, I have met many wonderful people; some casual acquaintances and some life-long friends. Over the years a number of unforgettable people have given me the pleasure of teaching them to scuba dive.
I recall one incident in particular that actually left me speechless and believe me, that didn’t happen very often.
It was the first night in the pool with scuba gear. The students each had a tank of air on their backs and a regulator to breathe the air. For the first time in their lives they were going to experience the thrill of breathing underwater. I could sense the excitement as they lined up along in the shallow end of the pool. I joked with them about the wonders under the water……hairpins, chewing gum and once in a while, a contact lens.
After a quick review of our classroom lecture, I asked them to turn to the person on their right and turn on their air. A lot of shuffling followed with some comments and nervous laughter. With the air valves turned on, I asked them to swim around underwater but stay in the shallow end of the pool. I could see the students quite clearly as I stood in the waist deep water.
Suddenly I felt a tug on my tank strap. I turned around and there, looking up at me with her big blue eyes, was Amy. She was a gorgeous blonde who had been the last one in line at the edge of the pool. I grinned and asked her what she wanted.
Looking me straight in the eye, she said, “Will you turn me on, Mr. Willoughby?” For a long moment I looked at her, stunned, not knowing exactly what to say. Suddenly, I realized because she was the last one in line, no one had turned on her air. I fumbled with the valve and finally got her underwater.
A very flustered and embarrassed instructor continued with his class.
Over the many years that I have been teaching scuba diving, a lot of funny things have happened. Some humorous, some downright hilarious, but I think Amy’s lack of air will go down in my books as the best one.