A few service members are now certified SCUBA divers after successfully completing an open water diving course offered by Sound Dive Center, March 25.

The four Sailors finished the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) discounted course making possible for them to see a whole new world, underwater.

“This program is absolutely wonderful and the Sailors and others seem to really enjoy it,” said Sharon Woolley, recreational aid for the MWR Liberty Programs. “Sound Dive is the best place we could have gotten. They are very willing to help these Sailors get certified.”

MWR began the course in November. Following a short break in December for the holidays, more than 35 Sailors were certified to dive. The course is offered every month to active duty Sailors for $199.00 and to retirees and dependants for $225.00.

“The best thing about this is seeing the people learn how to dive,” said Terry Wing, Sound Dive Center SCUBA instructor. “The course participants seem to be enjoying it. This is something they can take on deployment and can have for the rest of their lives.”

In this course, divers are taught how to recover their breathing hoses if they should come loose, get to the surface safely in the event of an emergency and to use basic diving skills to dive safely and have fun.

“I heard about the dive program through Sharon at Sinclair’s in Bremerton,” Air Traffic Controller Airman Bethany Hood, Carrier Air Traffic Control Center, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).  “Sound Dive Center is a good place to go, because they are really nice and helpful there.”

Divers also get classroom time, where they go over more safety and the physics aspects of diving. They learn what nitrogen in the blood stream can do to a person. 

During the three week course, students meet twice a week, Mondays and Wednesdays, from 5 to 9 p.m. During the first two hours of the class, students receive classroom lectures and spend the last two in the pool.  During their final week, divers swim Saturday at Illahee State Park in Bremerton and Sunday at Harpers Ferry Dock in Port Orchard. 

Once the divers have completed five successful open water dives, they are certified.

“When I was seven years old I went snorkeling with my family in Hawaii and was amazed by all the sea life,” said Seaman Ryan Wiuff, USS Maine (SSBN 741).  “Ever since then, I have wanted to go diving. Even though this was only training and practice, it is definitely something I will remember for the rest of my life.”