Diving Into New Skills

One of the amazing things about Venturing Crew 190 is that you never know the type of adventure it will take you on. It all starts when the crew comes together during a planning meeting. So many ideas are developed and captured, but at some point we need to take it to the next step and plan an adventure. This month? Scuba.

Scuba stands for Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus and while that covers the thing you'll notice first, there's so much more to the skill. Venturing Crew 190 signed up for a "Discover Scuba" session held at West Shore Scuba in Enola PA. While Central Pennslyvania is a few hundred miles from the ocean, this facility has what it takes to learn about scuba and even become certified.

Each venturer learned the basics of scuba through a booklet and then got their feet wet... literally, in the pool. They donned tanks, fins, weights, and special equipment for changing their bouyancy in the water. They learned how to communicate underwater and how to clear their regulator and affix goggles. By the end, our venturers were swimming underwater and developing an interest in a sport that can literally take them places!

Afterwards we learned about more classes that could be taken to become scuba-certified as well as a few more skills they would need to earn their Scuba BSA award. Most of the participants want to continue their training and become certified for work, and pleasure. Who knows where this skill and interest will take our crew!

Venturing Crew 190 participants listen to instructors on proper technique.

Practicing underwater communication and breathing techniques.