like a fish in a tank

I donned scuba gear last night for the first time in three years. I went to Högdals Sport & Idrottshall to test my regulator with its new battery as of yesterday.

In some ways it was a familiar task that just needed a refresher. In other ways I felt like a fish out of water.

There were two big groups doing their second pool dive for their Padi course. I watched them do their drills of emptying their masks, weightbelts and even the whole BCD. I practiced removing my mask...and boy did it feel odd to be maskless underwater. Johan has the right idea to do that once in a while in controlled conditions. It can be unnerving. Throwing off your second stage too reminds you of where you are and not to let panic set in.

And now my right ear is still funny. I hope it clears up by Friday's flight.