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#3720
A very unique experience for me as an instructor
tstormdiver - 9/23/2014 8:54 PM
Category: Training
Replies: 2

I didn’t even think about this or its importance, until monday morning, so I thought I would share something that happened yesterday. Whilst helping with the Boy Scout troop we had for Try Scuba yesterday at Pennyroyal Quarry. We had 1 lad that had severe Autism. If everything was not perfect for him, he would just simply breakdown into a crying fit. Well,... with Try Scubas, things rarely fit well, if at all. He was really having a very difficult time with that. We got him into the water, & knowing his problems, I decided to take him 1 on 1. I knew there was no way I would be able to do any skills with him & that to truly get him underwater would be impossible without him freaking out. So,... I inflated his BC, had him put his regulator in & I swam him along the reeds on the surface along the side of the quarry. I held onto his arm & he clutched my arm for security. We saw all kinds of small baby fish,... then we saw one of the "big boy" bass swim by. At fist he was scared, but when I pointed it out to him & the fish swam away, then he was thrilled,... once he saw it was not a threat. He then squealed with excitement through his regulator,... & thought even that was cool! I swam him for about 10 minutes along those reeds & just let him enjoy himself. When I told him that he got to see one of the big bass that the others had not seen, he was beside himself. He really enjoyed it! & even wanted to go again (unfortunately, we still had 25+ other boys to work with).. His parents were amazed at how much fun he had. Amazing how sometimes the simple things can make someone’s day great! Anyway, that was a great beginning to a very busy day.
#12117
Eric_R - 9/24/2014 4:41 AM
You have just given this child a great window into a world they probably would have never seen. Great job!
#164
Subscribed
Sixone71 - 10/04/2014 5:09 PM
I hate to sound soft,but that is just wonderful.