SHARKS!
I went shark diving! Oooh, scary!
Here's the deal: The Busan Aquarium offers a guided shark tank dive for a mere 85,000 won! That's about 60 bucks, and it was an all day event. We got there at 1130 for our information seminar and video instruction. We learned about what we would see in the tank (sand tiger sharks, lemon sharks, groupers, sting rays, turtles, fishies, some other sharks whose name I forget.) We learned what to do if a shark swam at us - Nothing! Let him go around you! And if a grouper swam at us- Duck! He won't stop! After the debriefing, I was more concerned about that huge grouper. It is over 2 meters long, weighs hundreds of pounds and has eaten several of the
small sharks! Then our instructor mentioned that once fishermen found a human skull inside a grouper. I stayed away from that guy.
Then we moved on to the training session. We split into 2 groups since only 5 people could go in at a time. I ended up with my guy friends Rick, Liam, and Sam in the first group. I was glad, since I wanted to go first and not watch - didn't want to chicken out. It was not so fun putting on my wet suit. Somehow I managed to cut both of my pinkies in the process. I must be the only person ever injured on a rubber suit. Sheesh. At least there was no blood - sure wouldn't like to be a shark magnet.
I was doing well with the first few steps like breathing above water and then underwater. Felt strange, but okay. I've only ever snorkeled before, so it was all new information. Then we had to practice emergency protocol, like what to do if your mouthpiece comes out and you can't breathe. I tried it, screwed up massively, and somehow shot water into my mouth. Needless to stay, I had to stand up and take a few deep breaths before continuing. I was starting to get nervous, especially when my second attempt was only so-so. Then even more when the instructor said, "okay lets go!" two minutes after that. I really started sucking air then. Liam asked me, "Whoa Kathleen, you alright there?" Me; "(Gulp) Um (Gulp) Yeah (Gulp) Sure (Gulp) No problem (Guuuuuulp!!) Actually no I'm freaking out!!!!" Liam: "Hm, I can see that." Luckily, I was able to do a few mental shakes, calm down a bit, and then it was time. I clenched my teeth super tight - there was NO WAY that mouthpiece was coming out!
We lowered ourselves into the tank over a see-through tunnel, where there were dozens of Koreans watching the crazy people. I was concentrating so hard on not drowning or hyperventilating that I didn't even notice the sharks for about five minutes. It was awkward floating about without flippers to guide you. Apparently I am very buoyant, even the weights weren't enough some times. The instructor made Liam and I hold hands, and I assumed it was because we were diving buddies. About ten minutes later, as I was finally looking around with interest, I realized that no one else was holding hands. Poor Liam. Haha. I must admit, though, it was really comforting to have a hand to squeeze at first! Finally I took one more big breath (but not too big, wanted to save some air for later), gave Liam the OK sign
, and let go. I was free diving in the shark tank! We took some pictures on the diver's underwater camera, but he hasn't put them up yet. I'll let you know when he does.
The sharks were awesome, once I noticed them. It was really cool to have them swimming all around us. We looked for shark teeth in the sand, and waved at the children behind the glass. I didn't find any, but the instructor gave me two afterwards. Why am I always the pitiable one!?! We took a leisurely turn about the tank and then headed back to the rope. All in all, it was probably 35 minutes underwater. I climbed out of the tank and took out that blasted mouthpiece and holy moley did my jaw hurt! I had to work out the kink for a few minutes.
I definitely experienced a rush of adrenaline afterwards. I mean, come on, I didn't drown myself! Oh, and I suppose I swam with sharks. Yay me.
Here's the deal: The Busan Aquarium offers a guided shark tank dive for a mere 85,000 won! That's about 60 bucks, and it was an all day event. We got there at 1130 for our information seminar and video instruction. We learned about what we would see in the tank (sand tiger sharks, lemon sharks, groupers, sting rays, turtles, fishies, some other sharks whose name I forget.) We learned what to do if a shark swam at us - Nothing! Let him go around you! And if a grouper swam at us- Duck! He won't stop! After the debriefing, I was more concerned about that huge grouper. It is over 2 meters long, weighs hundreds of pounds and has eaten several of the
small sharks! Then our instructor mentioned that once fishermen found a human skull inside a grouper. I stayed away from that guy.Then we moved on to the training session. We split into 2 groups since only 5 people could go in at a time. I ended up with my guy friends Rick, Liam, and Sam in the first group. I was glad, since I wanted to go first and not watch - didn't want to chicken out. It was not so fun putting on my wet suit. Somehow I managed to cut both of my pinkies in the process. I must be the only person ever injured on a rubber suit. Sheesh. At least there was no blood - sure wouldn't like to be a shark magnet.
I was doing well with the first few steps like breathing above water and then underwater. Felt strange, but okay. I've only ever snorkeled before, so it was all new information. Then we had to practice emergency protocol, like what to do if your mouthpiece comes out and you can't breathe. I tried it, screwed up massively, and somehow shot water into my mouth. Needless to stay, I had to stand up and take a few deep breaths before continuing. I was starting to get nervous, especially when my second attempt was only so-so. Then even more when the instructor said, "okay lets go!" two minutes after that. I really started sucking air then. Liam asked me, "Whoa Kathleen, you alright there?" Me; "(Gulp) Um (Gulp) Yeah (Gulp) Sure (Gulp) No problem (Guuuuuulp!!) Actually no I'm freaking out!!!!" Liam: "Hm, I can see that." Luckily, I was able to do a few mental shakes, calm down a bit, and then it was time. I clenched my teeth super tight - there was NO WAY that mouthpiece was coming out!
We lowered ourselves into the tank over a see-through tunnel, where there were dozens of Koreans watching the crazy people. I was concentrating so hard on not drowning or hyperventilating that I didn't even notice the sharks for about five minutes. It was awkward floating about without flippers to guide you. Apparently I am very buoyant, even the weights weren't enough some times. The instructor made Liam and I hold hands, and I assumed it was because we were diving buddies. About ten minutes later, as I was finally looking around with interest, I realized that no one else was holding hands. Poor Liam. Haha. I must admit, though, it was really comforting to have a hand to squeeze at first! Finally I took one more big breath (but not too big, wanted to save some air for later), gave Liam the OK sign
, and let go. I was free diving in the shark tank! We took some pictures on the diver's underwater camera, but he hasn't put them up yet. I'll let you know when he does.The sharks were awesome, once I noticed them. It was really cool to have them swimming all around us. We looked for shark teeth in the sand, and waved at the children behind the glass. I didn't find any, but the instructor gave me two afterwards. Why am I always the pitiable one!?! We took a leisurely turn about the tank and then headed back to the rope. All in all, it was probably 35 minutes underwater. I climbed out of the tank and took out that blasted mouthpiece and holy moley did my jaw hurt! I had to work out the kink for a few minutes.
I definitely experienced a rush of adrenaline afterwards. I mean, come on, I didn't drown myself! Oh, and I suppose I swam with sharks. Yay me.
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