My first dive at -40m, Marettimo 2021
After my first summer as a diver, accompanied by my buddy Cecilia, I decided to immediately continue my technical training for deep dives by enrolling in the "advanced" course.
My passion for technicality played a fundamental role in my choice, however, the desire to explore the sea by pushing myself beyond the limits imposed by my certification was the spark that ignited.
It was during a holiday in Marettimo (Sicily), in September 2021, that I undertook my first deep dive, with the aim of reaching the new limit imposed by the certification for which I was training: -40m.
Everything gets more serious, even before it was nothing to joke about, however I knew that the mistakes made underwater would rarely have worrying consequences, at greater depths however you need to remain clear-headed, know yourself and your equipment well.
Luckily, I had my father Pierpaolo with me, my instructor and, above all, my guardian angel in the water (and beyond). Needless to say, trusting him was the driving force I always needed from my first dive to approach this sport with peace of mind and confidence.
After a quick briefing, we dive in and gather at the bow rope, ready to descend. After the "OK" signal, we We set off, taking our time to allow for proper equalization. Descending to depth can bring some surprises, such as a slight feeling of inebriation. People often say "a bar every 10 meters," referring to the increase in pressure but also to the feeling of drunkenness that can be a side effect.
Luckily, I don't feel any particular symptoms. I continue my descent with Cecilia and Pierpaolo, who keeps a watchful eye on us. I glance at the computer: -30 meters! We're almost there; it's a beautiful summer day, and there's plenty of light even in the water; the colors still seem sharp.
I'm focused on my gear and my breathing, still unable to enjoy the beauty surrounding us. We descend further until my fins almost hit the sandy bottom: we're there, we've reached our goal! I read the depth gauge at -40 meters and immediately photograph the instrument, taking home a memento of this achievement. I was wearing my Squame wetsuit, prepared for the occasion; needless to say, it was symbolically important to have it with me.
Once the tension eased, I began to look around, first smiling at Cecilia who, like me, was experiencing this for the first time, then a glance at my father who, however, maintained his stern control, reminding us to stay focused and follow the procedures.
I look up and see a wall of clear water above us, in the distance the keel of the boat, only now do I realize how far down we have gone!
The time allowed to explore the seabed is short, we cannot risk accumulating Decompression. It's hard to describe the thrill I felt in those few minutes, between the sight of an extraordinary underwater universe and the excitement of having just reached our goal.
It's time to return. Pierpaolo calls us to order. The ascent is a delicate phase that must be approached with care. Cecilia, Pierpaolo, and I exchange glances frequently to check that everything is going well. We check the equipment until we finally make our safety stop at -5 meters. I couldn't wait to surface so we could compare notes and share our impressions!
Back on the boat, we were greeted by compliments from the more experienced divers who had dived with us. What I find most moving, now that we've done so, is sharing this experience with Cecilia and my father, who probably never expected to see me in the water next to him.
I can't wait for the new diving season to begin, we still have so much to learn and explore together!!
Author: Fabio Conti
