Okay, so, braxton cashion cliff jumping accident, right? Man, that video… kinda messed me up. Made me think about some stuff. Not that I’m out there throwing myself off cliffs every weekend, but, you know, taking risks, pushing limits, that kinda thing.
So, it all started with me feeling kinda… stuck. Like I was in a rut. Same routine, same job, same everything. Needed a kick in the butt. I remembered watching some free diving videos a while back and thought, “Hey, that looks insane. Let’s try that!”.
First thing I did was find a local pool that offered intro to freediving classes. Signed up, felt kinda goofy surrounded by all these super fit, young athletic types. I’m… not that. But I was determined. The instructor went through the basics – breathing techniques, equalizing pressure, safety stuff. We started in the shallow end, just practicing holding our breath and getting comfortable in the water.
Then, we moved to the deep end. That’s where things got real. Trying to equalize while descending was tricky. My ears kept popping, and I panicked a few times, surfacing way too fast. The instructor was super chill though, kept reminding us to relax and take it slow. He emphasized that no dive is worth risking your life. Which, you know, seemed pretty relevant after seeing that Braxton Cashion video.
After a few weeks in the pool, I started feeling more confident. I could hold my breath for a decent amount of time, equalize fairly easily, and generally felt comfortable underwater. Next step was to find a spot to practice in open water. I live near a lake, so I looked up some popular diving spots. Found one that wasn’t too deep and had clear water. Perfect!
The first time I went out there, I was terrified. It’s a whole different ballgame than the pool. The water was colder, darker, and you just feel so much more exposed. I started with some super shallow dives, just getting used to the environment. Then, gradually, I started going deeper. I never went past 10 feet. Always had a buddy with me, which is crucial. We had a rope and a float, and we agreed on hand signals for communication.
One time, I got a little too cocky. Thought I could push myself further than I was ready for. Went down too fast, couldn’t equalize properly, and felt a sharp pain in my ear. Panicked, shot to the surface, and felt dizzy and nauseous for the rest of the day. That was a wake-up call. Reminded me that this isn’t a game. You gotta respect the water and know your limits.
I haven’t gone cliff jumping, and honestly, I don’t think I ever will. Free diving, for me, is more about exploring the underwater world, challenging myself mentally and physically, and finding some peace and quiet. It’s not about adrenaline or showing off. That Braxton Cashion thing… it’s a reminder to be careful, to be smart, and to not let ego get in the way. It’s okay to push yourself, but it’s also okay to back down. The ocean will always be there tomorrow.
I’m still learning, still practicing. It’s a slow process, but that’s part of what I enjoy about it. It’s a constant reminder to be present, to be aware, and to be grateful for every breath I take. And yeah, maybe that’s a bit heavy after just talking about a goofy free diving thing, but seeing that accident… it really does make you think.
