As we all know, the written portion of learning can be a lot different from the actual hands on section. This is especially true in learning to SCUBA dive. It's one thing to intellectually know what to do in case you run out of air, its something totally different when you are under water and your air flow ceases and you have to fight panic and do what you learned in the classroom.
Another example in SCUBA training is learning to follow the bubbles. They taught that sometimes you can get disorientated and not know up from down, and in that case to watch the direction that your bubbles go. The bubbles ALWAYS go up toward the surface, so use them to orientate yourself. Sitting at the desk I was like, really?? I mean come on, how do you not know if you are upside down or not?! But guess what, when practicing buoyancy and flipping and turning, you really can lose your sense of direction, not just horizontally, but vertically. Every one of your senses can be screaming at you that you are headed up to the surface yet the bubbles are going down. But are the bubbles really going down? Nope, they are going up and it is you that is upside down. It is a bizarre feeling when this happens, but it does happen.
In our everyday lives people can warn of us getting disorientated and losing our place and what seems to be up is down, and down is up. We think we know something as basic as this, and brush off the warnings. But we all must have a constant standard, that no matter what our surroundings seem like or our senses and mind might be telling us, is the unwavering truth. Our bubbles. Stop the kicking, the panic, the thrashing and swimming against the flow. Stop. Take a minute to just be still. And look for those indicators that will always point the way up, to our life source of air, without fail, no matter the circumstances.
Not sure what your bubbles are? God's Word can be one indicator, another could be friends, accountability people or counselors that help guide. When I SCUBA dive most of the time I am in a group that is led by a dive master. He (or she) will often swim up alongside of you and ask to check the level of your air and other computer settings. In times of panic they will hold your arm, steadying you, help you get your breathing steady. And the dive masters are there to give assurance as you follow them. Ultimately, they also follow the bubbles. But sometimes its a comfort to have a dive partner (having a partner is actually a requirement when diving) or dive master assuring you that you are on the right track.
So chill, and follow your bubbles. They will always lead you up, to the surface and life giving air.
