There are so many amazing divers out there. Divers who have been diving for months, years or decades, divers who we look up to as mentors or divers whose attitude and achievements we admire. That's why going forward, Abyss Scuba will honor these divers in the new monthly feature article "Diver of the Month".
Our first diver of the month is a savvy drysuit aficionado who we first had the pleasure to meet during a certification weekend in Dutch Springs, PA. We were quickly drawn to his charm and dry humor. That, coupled with his values, extraordinary discipline and love for SCUBA diving, made him an easy pick for our first feature diver of the month. Meet Craig Cholson:
Our first diver of the month is a savvy drysuit aficionado who we first had the pleasure to meet during a certification weekend in Dutch Springs, PA. We were quickly drawn to his charm and dry humor. That, coupled with his values, extraordinary discipline and love for SCUBA diving, made him an easy pick for our first feature diver of the month. Meet Craig Cholson:
Craig after one of the few dives he dove 'wet'.
When were you certified?
I was first certified in 1960 in Manhattan NY at the East Coast outpost of US Divers. After a long hiatus due to injuries, I was re-certified at Kings County Divers in 2011-12 by exceptionally talented people when my darling partner wanted to learn to dive. Why did I re-certify? Everything had changed technology-wise but nothing had changed as to physics. I didn’t think I would be safe with the new tech, so I went through open water and advanced open water just like any novice diver would. I’m very glad I did. I learned new things.
What got you into diving?
I had always been a water baby and played or swam in the North or South Atlantic ever since I could remember. I always was interested in marine life – all of it! Still am. I spent my earliest childhood, days on end, face down in the water with a primitive mask, snorkel and fins and was always finding ways to improve that kit. I would spend literally hours examining the near-shore sands and, later, a living coral reef 100 yards offshore of Surfside, Florida. One winter, I learned that Le Monde Du Silence (The Silent World), Jacques Cousteau’s amazing movie, was going to be shown at US Divers. A lovely gentleman who owned piercing eyes came up to me afterwards and said, in an extremely heavy French accent, “You could do that, you know. I will help you learn.” And so, he did and I did.
Movie Poster of Jacques Cousteau's classic 'Le monde du silence'.
WHAT KEEPS YOU HOOKED?
Oh, goodness, so many things. The camaraderie. The fabulous, fantastic people I have met. The incredibly patient divers who’ve helped me. The challenge to be better each time I dive. The new things I learn. The familiar things I can contemplate. The creatures I meet. The excitement of a new dive spot. The thrill I get when I surface with someone new to diving – that face! It just doesn’t get old!
Craig following the #1 rule of underwater photography 'Wait until they inhale to minimize the bubbles'.
wHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DESTINATION OR DIVE SPOT LOCALLY AND GLOBALLY?
The next place I dive! (chuckles) OK, more pertinently. The most exciting place I have dived – so far - was the Arctic Circle (although Faith Ortins annually tries to talk me into an Antarctica trip). I am looking forward to diving Croatia this year, universe willing. The Great Lakes hold endless fascination. But my favorite place to dive, hands down, is the St. Lawrence River on the Canadian side. There is magic in that water and in the people I dive with. Let's go together?
Aerial view of the St. Lawrence seaway.
WHERE YOU EVER IN A DIFFICULT SITUATION WHILE UNDER WATER AND IF SO, HOW DID YOU GET OUT OF IT?
When I was quite young, I became entangled in a great deal of monofilament line while leading a tourist group. I reminded myself that I could see, breath, and float; calmed myself; then doffed my entangled gear, cleared the line with my dive tool, collected the line and stowed it in a net bag; then donned my gear and continued the dive. My group was great throughout – no worries or panic, just concern and ready to help.
Another time many years later I had a buddy who was not a good match. He was ‘way faster than me, and I had trouble keeping up. Finally, I caught him and asked if he knew where the boat was (this was in the open ocean far from land). He did not. I told him to remain below while I surfaced to check the location. I found the boat, signaled “OK” but could not descend for reasons that still remain unclear. The dive master came for me after several unsuccessful attempts at submerging. Back to the boat with my dive buddy. No shame, I was just unhappy. I told the dive master that I wanted to speak with captain (I was self-reporting). Despite his insistence after discussing the incident with me that all was well, I sat myself out on the next dive to assess the situation and to off-gas. Lessons from that dive: make sure your assigned buddy is a good match; make sure you both are clear on the objectives of the dive; always, always, take a compass reading at the anchor or mooring.
Another time many years later I had a buddy who was not a good match. He was ‘way faster than me, and I had trouble keeping up. Finally, I caught him and asked if he knew where the boat was (this was in the open ocean far from land). He did not. I told him to remain below while I surfaced to check the location. I found the boat, signaled “OK” but could not descend for reasons that still remain unclear. The dive master came for me after several unsuccessful attempts at submerging. Back to the boat with my dive buddy. No shame, I was just unhappy. I told the dive master that I wanted to speak with captain (I was self-reporting). Despite his insistence after discussing the incident with me that all was well, I sat myself out on the next dive to assess the situation and to off-gas. Lessons from that dive: make sure your assigned buddy is a good match; make sure you both are clear on the objectives of the dive; always, always, take a compass reading at the anchor or mooring.
WHAT ARE THREE ESSENTIALS YOU CANNOT DIVE WITHOUT?
1. Spare batteries.
2. I always dive with at least two dive lights.
3. A surface marker buoy and reflecting mirror.
4. Nuuns (effervescent electrolyte replacement tablets). Yes, that’s four; maybe five. Remember the rule of redundancy and failure - “One is none, two is one,” and so on?
2. I always dive with at least two dive lights.
3. A surface marker buoy and reflecting mirror.
4. Nuuns (effervescent electrolyte replacement tablets). Yes, that’s four; maybe five. Remember the rule of redundancy and failure - “One is none, two is one,” and so on?
dO YOU HAVE ONE PIECE OF DIVE GEAR YOU ARE PARTICULARLY ATTACHED TO AND WHY?
My Diving Unlimited International (DUI) dry suit. I can use it anywhere in the world. I’ve used essentially the same suit in sub-freezing water and in the Caribbean.
Craig and his partner in crime, Barbara.
if YOU COULD GIVE BEGINNING DIVERS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE... WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Find an exceptional teacher (not merely an instructor) who fits your style and vice-versa. Don’t be in a rush to collect certifications. Understand why the most important course you will ever take is a stress and rescue-type course, and why you should take that after your advanced open water course but before any others. If you do that, you’ll dive safely for years and years, and you will be a most welcomed dive buddy across the globe.
Most importantly, I’d tell you what Didi told me nearly six decades ago – slow down!
Most importantly, I’d tell you what Didi told me nearly six decades ago – slow down!
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