International Rescue: The Next Phase


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Re: Playing with Fire [message #454 is a reply to message #453] Mon, 23 July 2012 21:00 Go to previous messageGo to previous message
artisticrainey is currently offline  artisticrainey
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Registered: July 2012
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Saturday, October 13, 2068, 1:00 p.m., Tracy Island

Brandon headed toward the swimming pool, gear in hand. Jeff had asked him if he would give Cassie SCUBA lessons and he had agreed to do so. I hope she's on time, he thought as he set the swim fins down.

Cassie arrived just as he was placing stuff on the patio. "Hello!" she said as she approached him. "I'm looking forward to this. Always thought SCUBA might be fun but I've never had a chance to try it. Actually, the first time I've ever actually swam in the ocean was with Gordon earlier this week."

"Well we won't be attempting this in the ocean just yet. You'll learn the basics here in the pool," he told her.

After a few minutes of small talk, Cassie was ready to start. "So where do we begin?" she asked Brandon. She glanced from him, to the equipment, the pool and then back at him.

Brandon grinned, happy to see she was eager to start the training. "Well, the first step is a basic swim test. I want you to begin by swimming nine laps, non-stop, using any style you're comfortable with."

"Not a problem," Cassie said. She took off the shirt and shorts she had been wearing and dove into the pool to begin the test.

He watched Cassie as she swam, her strokes barely making a splash. She's a natural. That'll come in handy during a water rescue.

Cassie finished her laps and swam to the side of the pool. "So, how'd I do?"

"You did well - so far. There are a few more things I want you to do. Then we'll learn how to use the snorkel properly."

Cassie nodded. I've learned so many new things this week I hope I don't start mixing them together.

"Diving isn't just strapping on the tanks and going in the water. There are dive tables to learn and equipment you've got to know inside and out, not to mention knowing what to do in case of a diving emergency."

Dive tables? I wonder what those are; I'll wait until the next lesson to ask. Looking up at Brandon she asked, "Okay, so what's next?"

For the next hour, Brandon put Cassie through her paces, watching as she did the things he asked of her. Finally he called her in.

In the shallow end of the pool, Brandon explained the basics of snorkeling, beginning with the mask. Cassie watched as he spit onto the face piece and rinsed it in the water.

"Not the most sanitary method," Cassie commented. "That the only way to keep it from fogging up?"

Brandon laughed, shaking his head. "Well, it's the one method that you'll be able to use no matter what the situation is. There are chemical defoggers that can be used, too."

Cassie treated the mask and put her face in the water, surprised at how clear it was. "That's amazing," she replied when she brought her head up.

After making sure Cassie was comfortable with the mask, he told her how to position the snorkel in her mouth. "Okay, pull the strap of the mask over your head with the snorkel in place. Bite on the two lugs of the mouthpiece; the guard fits between your lips and gums." After making sure everything was in place, she waited for Brandon's next instructions.

"Now, I want you to lean forward from the waist and lower your face into the water and start breathing slowly through the tube."

Cassie found it easier said than done; more than once she came up for air. This is harder than I thought.

"You're doing fine," Brandon said encouragingly. "Just take is slow and easy and you'll get the hang of it." Nodding, she put her head back down.

"You did great; you're a fast learner. We have one more thing to do then we'll call it a day. I'm going to teach you how to clear the snorkel. If water gets down into it, you'll need to get it out right away."

"It sounds easy enough. What do I need to do?"

"I want you to deliberately flood the tube. Then get rid of the water using several sharp puffs of air." Brandon demonstrated, sending a jet of water up in the air. "Okay, you give it a try."

Cassie went underwater, her snorkel filling up with water. Giving a sharp puff of breath, the water was expelled from the tube. She did it several more times before swimming back to the steps.

"Not bad for your first lesson," Brandon said as she approached, "but there's still a lot to learn."

"I'm ready for it," Cassie said enthusiastically.

"Good," Brandon replied as he gathered up the gear, "I'll be in touch to set up a time for the next lesson."

As he left, Cassie thought, I think I'm going to like diving.

Written by MagicMaster8 & starrynebula on March 4, 2008

Dom plainclothes heartbeat Luke plainclothes

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