With almost 95 percent of the ocean unexplored, it is no surprise that juniors Carley Torres and Sarah Harrell find delving into the deep blue fascinating. These students put time and effort into obtaining a diving license, also known as a scuba certification, which legally gives them the opportunity to explore the ocean.

“PADI or Professional Association of Diving Instructors was the program I used,” Sarah said. “It is the largest and best diving organization.”

Diving certifications can be received through the PADI or scuba shops such as Scuba Toys in Carrollton. The basic license, the Open Water Certification, can be attained when the diver is 10 years old and limits them to a 60-foot depth diving range. Open Water Certifications can be used for those who dive a couple times with a group of people or as tourists. After the Open Water Certification, there is the Advanced Open Water Certification that requires the diver to be at least 12 years of age.

“This certification process is a little more intense,” Sarah said. “You have to do underwater navigation and at least four night dives. You can go down to about 80 or 90 feet with this one.”

The process includes the purchase of an online package equipped with readings, videos and quizzes. The diver has about a year to finish this portion. The diver then applies the information they learned to a practical assessment that typically takes place at a local dive shop in a pool. After that, four open water dives must take place at an ocean or lake.

“It is useful to have a diving license if you love to travel like I do,” Torres said. “Being in the ocean is truly amazing and getting to see marine life in their natural habitat is incredible.”

Extreme diving with little knowledge can result in an abundance of negative ramifications.  

“It is really dangerous diving if you do not know what you are doing,” Sarah said. “For example, if you descend too fast you can burst an eardrum or if you come up too fast you can burst a lung. The most important thing is staying calm, which comes with practice.”

Diving opens up a whole new world of experiences in an unfamiliar platform. People can dive in numerous places such as Belize or the Virgin Islands, and there are areas in Texas to dive as well such as the Flower Garden Banks off the coast of Galveston. With a certification, divers can see the ocean with a unique perspective.

“I personally want to just travel and dive at all the coolest spots in the world and see as such of the ocean as I can,” Torres said. “One of my goals is to cage dive in Australia with great white sharks.”

The joy and exhilaration that accompanies diving is what both Torres and Sarah enjoy out in open waters. Wesley Harrell, Sarah’s father, understands this feeling due to his 30 years of experience in diving.

“Every single dive is new and exciting, even after hundreds of them,” Wesley said. “The ocean can never be completely explored so there is always something new to see.”