Coimbatore to take the big dive

It looks like adventure junkies in the city have some action in store next month. The National Adventure Foundation is all set to introduce confined scuba diving in namma Coimbatore on April 4 and 5 where both swimmers and non-swimmers will be encouraged to participate in diving sessions. The confined water dive with under water photography will be held in a pool environment and will be open for public participation.
“The participants will be taught underwater skills with a PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) certified dive master, albeit in a pool environment. Anyone aged 10 years and above are welcome to participate in the event. There is a Discover Scuba session for beginners, where the participants will be able to dive along with underwater photography. Every action of theirs will be captured in the camera. There will be an open water diver certification course as well,” says Group Captain Jayashankar (Retd), member of the foundation.
Sikander Hussain, instructor from Lakshwadeep, who will be training participants in the city, tells us, “A video on scuba diving will be screened for the participants and they will be briefed about the process and safety measures along with a video before the dive. The idea is to boost their confidence to take the plunge into the water. The programme is mainly targetted at non-swimmers. All they have to do is swim for 200 meters or float on the water for half and hour. The session in Coimbatore will primarily be assisted diving where a buddy will dive along with the participants.”
Jayashankar adds that a preliminary session has already been successfully held with 6 diving enthusiasts. “They are now diving at different pools in the city and might be soon heading to open water diving. We are trying to rope in schools and other organisations that have a pool for further sessions.We are also exploring the feasibility of identifying a spot in the Thirumurthy Dam area to commence scuba diving confined and open water sessions.”