Small in Size, but Not Heart: Laura’s Story

Back in early April, we wrote a blog entry about Laura, an intern who was, in her own words, “frail” and the challenge she faced becoming a dive instructor. The piece went over like a lead balloon among the intern ranks and, to be fair, we didn’t run it by Laura first, as we should have. We wrote in the piece that she was our “first real challenge,” which she took badly, thinking we didn’t want her. That couldn’t have been further from the truth and over the coming months she would banish any doubts from our minds.

Quite simply put, it wasn’t easy, but Laura became a PADI instructor after working harder and, arguably, wanting it more than any intern we’ve ever seen.

So, as a way of followup, we asked Laura to write her own blog entry to bring everyone up to speed on what ensused since those early days seven months ago. Her story begins below the photo of her (in the middle) with two of her follow interns.

Editor’s Note (2010) — Since this piece was published, three years have passed. In that time, Laura has gone on to become one of the most successful Aquanauts interns ever, reaching in 2010 the highest certification possible in the PADI world: Course Director. It makes her story below even more amazing.

When I arrived here in March by my own admission I was physically frail and unable to lift even my own scuba tank… In reflection of that now, a few people standout as being especially helpful dealing with my somewhat embarrassing situation. Because of their patience, they allowed me the time to build that physical strength I needed to do such a basic task as lifting a scuba tank, (which is nearly effortless for me today!)

Now Course Director Laura Lee Merkle Ware is dwarfed by MSDT Steve Rawlings during her 2007 IDC. (Click to enlarge)

Former intern and May IE 2007 graduate Danny Rehse is just one example of a dive intern who had shown me such generosity, as well as current MSDT Steve Rawlings, of September IE 2007. It is by these and other dive interns’ gestures of kindness that truly made a difference to me during my first few months in the spring of 2007 at Aquanauts. Thank-you.

There was people here who expressed genuine concerns of me not having the the capabilities to even reach Rescue Diver in the beginning. Naturally disappointed, I still understood it was a realistic perception of their observations of my abilities – although this did not take my diving goals from me.

I have a very sensitive nature, but I managed to remain firm that you can never allow yourself be defined by the limitations put on you by others. Instead I looked to the people who were willing to focus on what I was capable of, rather then what I was not (- at that time) and it helped me to move forward to completing my Rescue Diver Certification, and venturing further still on to becoming a Divemaster. Aquanauts Master Instructor Gary Tytler, most of all, made these two achievements possible for me with a combination of his patience, kind motivating words, as well as generously giving of his diving professionalism and time.

I have said before my favourite instructor here at Aquanauts from nearly the day I arrived was former dive intern July IE 2007 graduate Edward Gray. I enrolled with Aquanauts having only 10 dives, and it was with Ed who also came to Aquanauts in March – that I first really started to build my experience in the water. During our Divemaster training Ed spent our visa run to Cambodia teaching me physics, and shared with me a genuine friendship. At Aquanauts everyone becomes good friends with other divers because you share so much together during your internship.

I was scheduled to be on the July IE with Ed. However I did not make the grade. Physics would be probably my weakest strength, so to speak. In hindsight I am very grateful for this, as I benefited from the extra time to work on my skills and build up the strength and confidence needed to meet the August IE with success. I do not consider this a bad reflection on me at all – as the difference between try and triumph is perseverance.

No one tells me what I am capable of achieving in life, for I both quietly and humbly profess the only true failure is when someone doesn’t try again. This kind of personal philosophy just leaves me all the more deeply thankful and rewarded for the endless encouragement and support given to me by various Aquanauts staff, and interns alike.

I will repay Aquanauts example they set of their hard work and dedication to their dive interns by paying “forward” the same ethics in my teaching career. And also by continuing to give my own dive students undivided attention and personal support as they strive towards their diving goals.

Aquanauts still continues today meeting my diligence with both their time and talent, and I would recommend this dive school to anyone interested in pursing any level of recreational or professional diving certifications.

Laura, left, with fellow IDC candidates Sally and SImon Rathbone and Meg Smith

I accredit mostly Aquanauts IDC Course Director Roger Smith, and Master Instructor Gary Tytler for giving me what I needed to achieve my Open Water Scuba Instructor certification. However, it was the teamwork and camaraderie I shared with Meg Smith, Sally Rathbone, and Simon Rathbone of the August IE that truly made the difference in my success.

Presently I am furthering my education in diving as a MSDT at Aquanauts, again continuing on learning with the help of other dive interns. September IE graduate MSDT, Paul Sparkes has given me tremendous learning opportunities to work with him and draw from his greater diving experience than my own. There is no competition among interns, just a keenness to help each other learn, as we all share the same daily journey of seeking constant improvement and anticipating, as well as meeting the needs of our own dive students.

Currently I am continuing my diving education by studying Closed Circuit Rebreathers with IDC Course Director Roger Smith. As I pursue my career in diving it is my intention to reach the highest certifications obtainable for me. And it is with the encouragement of people at Aquanauts such as IDC Course Director Roger Smith, that I will be able to achieve anything I want to do in diving.

To quote Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.- Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step