Page 60 - Panama City Living Magazine

ADRENALINE
am at the bottom of the food chain. Danger is a relative term, though. I have gone out of my way over the years to grab every bit of written, digital, and real-world bit of information offered on what to watch out for. I have well-thought-out gear that will get me out of most situations. There aren’t 30 seconds that go by underwater without my mind being preoccupied by sharks and other predators that could keep me from returning to the surface. I look all the way around, count to two, and go back to what I am doing or searching for. I go out of my way to prepare and possibly prevent bad things from happening by being aware as much as I can and learning from past experiences. Sometimes, things that initially appear dangerous are nothing short of breathtakingly beautiful and something that might seem small and harmless at first might turn out to be life-threatening.
Preparation is the most important aspect of diving. Checking the weather and riptide forecasts, making sure all gear is accounted for and working properly, and asking yourself, "How is my breathing today?" It can be so easy to get excited about the beautiful weather, or the memory of that fish that got away the day before, that you forget about safety and preparation. Ask yourself, "What might be in the water this time of year that I
might have to watch out for?" "How is the rubber band on my sling holding up?" Also, preparation isn’t all gear and what to bring. Being prepared for any high-energy sport starts with you, physically. I eat a light but high-nutrition meal more than an hour before a dive. I try to juice some veggies and fruit so it’s nothing too heavy in my stomach. I also practice and recommend stretching every muscle you will be using before diving in.
There are many high-energy sports that will be great to dip your toes in this season, and in my opinion, getting out of your comfort zone will make you feel alive. Don’t ever say you can’t do something unless you have tried it, but absolutely do your research before trying something new and prepare for all potential dangers. For any watersport, have a diving buddy or somebody there who will watch over you. Let’s try something new this season. The spring and summer are right around the corner. Panama City Beach will get your blood pumping and is always great for some action-packed and adrenaline-fueled times.
See more photos online at
PANAMACITYLIVING.COM
60 • March—April 2020 • www.PanamaCityLiving.com