Scuba divers who pass a class offered through the
University take their first “open-water" dive in Puget
Sound's Hood Canal — after a period of training in
Leighton Pool.
Scuba diving
: a world without midterms
It’s that time again. Midterms are looming large
in most classes, and for some students that means a
lot of hard work just to keep their heads above water.
But there’s one class the University offers where
you’re supposed to sink — and not come up for air.
That class is scuba diving, which is offered on a
continual basis during the year through the physical
education department. For a registration fee, and the
demonstration of appropriate skills, individuals can
become certified “open water” divers at the end of
nine weeks.
While that may not be enough to land a role in
the hit movie “Splash,” it does mean the opportunity
to experience scuba diving first-hand.
“We invite everyone to experience the sport of
scuba diving, and to show how safe and how fun it
can be,” says Helio Vieira, who teaches the diving
class. “It’s simply another world down there.”
Considering the state of the world on dry land
during midterms, the offer seems appealing.
“It’s just an incredible high,” adds teaching
assistant Greg Biben, who recently returned from
diving off the coast of California’s Catalina Island.
“It’s traveling through a different medium, with a
feeling of weightlessness. You can even feed the fish
while you’re down there.”
First, however, a student must learn how to get
there.
“We teach students how to handle their equip
ment, how to swim with a tank, and how to utilize ap
propriate life-saving methods. We try to create a safe
environment (relative) to actual diving in terms of all
the drills,” says Vieira.
The best way for area residents to receive proper
instruction, continues Vieira, is through classes of
fered at the University, Eugene Skin Divers Supply, or
Sea Sports in Springfield. Fees for an “open water”
diving class — the initial certification level — range
from $130 for a four-week class at the commercial
outfits, to $145 over a term at the University. Cost
covers equipment rental, oxygen, training tables, and
qualified instruction.
Upon certification, money becomes less of a
barrier, because prices go down. Normal weekend
rates for equipment rental and oxygen range from
$27.50 at Eugene Skin Divers Supply to $25 at Sea
Sports.
If some of these figures still seerp a little
discouraging, especially for students who feel
they’re already getting soaked financially by tuition
and books, there are ways around those problems,
according to Biben.
One economical “lifesaver,” he says, is the
newly-founded Scuba Club. Membership is $5 a term
and includes discounts on rental equipment and
oxygen.
“Without your own equipment your’re talking
about $50-$70 a weekend,” says Biben. But with dis
counts from the Scuba Club, $25 will usually cover
The University's scuba diving class emphasizes pro
per preparation and adherence to safety regulations.
rental, oxygen, transportation, and even the
refreshments afterward, he says.
Partying of any kind before diving is strongly
discouraged, however.
“You can have a beer or two 12 hours before,”
says Vieira, “but in diving there’s no room for error.
One error, you’re dead.”
John Temple, diving instructor at Eugene Skin
Divers Supply, agrees.
“Going out there (diving) means doing things
safely so the student can reduce the risk of error, and
be confident under water.”
Therein lies the highest priority of the diving
classes: to practice skills that will make students
safe divers. Classes are not, however, all drill and no
play.
“We have a blast,” says Biben, who helps teach
the University class. “The best part is when we take
our three-day weekend trip to Hood Canal on the
Puget Sound at the end of the term.”
There students become officially certified in an
“open-water checkout,” and then search for
Dungeness crab, explore the reef, or simply enjoy
each other’s company.
“It's great,” says Biben. “There’s a real sense of
camaraderie after spending all that time together in
the pool. The weekend helps us just to relax, while
serving a purpose (the open-water checkout)."
Those interested in learning more about the
class, or other opportunities in scuba diving, can
contact Vieira through the physical education
department or Jim Lobdell of the Scuba Club at
686-0698.
“It has been so far very slow,” Vieira says of the
area’s interest in scuba diving. “But we're interested
in getting people involved. Diving is just a very ex
citing activity.”
Much more so than, say, a midterm.
By Hal Myers
Photos by Steve Crowell
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