From Terror to Wonder: Australia's Great Barrier Reef

Snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef was a dream come true, and to make the experience even better, our tour included an Intro to Scuba. But nothing prepared me for what happened when the signal sounded for our eight-person scuba lesson to gather on the back deck of the boat miles offshore.

With excitement buzzing, my dad and I were the last two to sit on the back deck and get into our vests. No sooner had I slipped the regulator into my mouth to take a first cautious breath than our instructor grabbed me and said, “You're first.” Before I could process what was happening, I was pulled off the deck into the water.

Bubbles exploded all around me, and suddenly I was gripping a metal rail under the boat while the instructor swam back up for the next diver. My mask instantly filled with water, and instead of the colorful reef - which was behind me - I found myself staring through saltwater into the deep blue nothingness. I was sure sharks or sea monsters were out there on the edge of my blurred vision.

Panic set in fast.

When my dad appeared next to me, I didn’t hesitate. I shook my head violently and waved my hand across my throat in the universal signal for “GET ME OUT OF HERE!” 

But instead of grabbing me, he caught my eye, lifted a steadying hand, and motioned for me to slow down. Then he demonstrated: hand slowly pointing to his mouth for an inhale, hand slowly pointing away for an exhale.

I watched him a few times. Slowly, I mimicked his rhythm—breathing in, breathing out—until my heart stopped racing. That’s when he reached over to my mask, pulled out the bottom, and demonstrated exhaling through my nose, and the water drained away like magic.

Relief washed over me.

By the time I looked up again, the instructor had already brought the rest of the group down and was signaling us to follow him. I let go of the rail, turned around, and for the first time took in the coral gardens and schools of fish that were behind us.

The dive was over too soon, but it remains one of the greatest experiences of my life—not only because of the beauty of the reef, but because I learned I could face a stressful situation, breathe through the fear (literally), and keep going.

Read an overview of our full Australian Adventure here ------> Epic Australia

Cat D.