KTVQ

Posted: Mar 7, 2010 4:59 PM
Updated: Mar 7, 2010 5:05 PM

BILLINGS - Imagine being submerged 60 feet below the surface, with an oxygen tank hooked to your back as your sole life support.

The idea of scuba diving causes some to squirm, while giving others a whole new perspective.

"It's just so weird to be able to breath under water," explains scuba diver in training, Kelsie McDowell.  "You could just sit down there for as long as you want."

Fellow trainee, Sammie Guzman, agrees. 

"It's really quiet and peaceful," Guzman says.

Kelsie's sister, Terra, chimes in.

"It's kind of a weird feeling at first," the new scuba diver explains.  "You're not really sure what's going to happen, but once you're down there it's really cool.  I can just imagine what in the ocean seeing everything, it's going to be really cool."

But before you embark on your scuba diving adventure, you must first hit the pool to practice some basic skills.

"It's a fun family sport," says Carolyn Bakker.  Bakker owns Adventure Scuba with her husband, Dave.  "Kids can get certified as young as 10 and I've got divers that are in their 70s and 80s that as long as their physically capable, they can still dive."

Adventure Scuba in Billings offers certification classes in three different ways:

- Group Scuba Weeknights - 5 classes in 2 weeks
- Executive Weekend Course - 3 days
- Online Course + pool time

Some resorts do offer training courses on site, but in order avoid academics while on vacation, it's a good idea to think ahead and get certified beforehand -- like the McDowell sisters who off to the Dominican Republic for spring break.

"For spring break my family and I are going to the Dominican Republic," Kelsie explains.

"Our parents wanted us to be certified diving because we're going to dive a lot there," Terra adds.

Guzman's family is also taking advantage of a tropical spring break getaway as they head to Hawaii at the end of the month.

"My mom has her license and she said it's really fun so she wanted to take us on the trip," says Guzman.

A certification card is also a must if you plan on organizing your own, personal scuba diving adventure.

"To actually have the freedom to own your own gear and go out and dive with your buddy, then you need a certification card," Bakker says.

And once you've got the card, you're good to go for life, as long as you stay up-to-date and consistent with diving.

"I'd say I'm definitely going to do it later in life," Kelsie says.

Terra agrees.

"We go on a lot of vacations so I think that being certified will come in use," she says.

Whether it's a tropical getaway, practicing in the pool, or even hitting up local spots like Yellowtail Dam, scuba diving is one adventure worth splashing about.

For more information on Adventure Scuba visit their website.  Click here.

Tune into Q2 Sunday, March 21st for the next Angela's Adevntures.