As am sure you've all noticed, Whyville has a special new feature: The Reef! I was particularly excited for this new feature because scuba diving has a very special place in my family. My dad is a PADI instructor, and owns a dive shop. In fact, this was how my parents met. Last year, with a family trip to Bonaire on the schedule, my dad finally let my sisters and I undergo the Scuba Diving certification.
The first step was all reading and writing. Scuba diving can be dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. Being under high pressure can cause nitrate buildup in your body, which can be very dangerous if it you get too much. For this reason, there are diver's tables, which help you safely plan your dive schedule. Many other dangers are associated with diving. One particular condition that stuck with me was nitrogen narcosis, a condition in which a diver's state of mind is foggy, and delusional. My instructor once said that a friend with the condition once took out his respirator and attempted to offer it to a fish. However, the condition is easily fixed by ascending.
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