Grateful you made it!
So your brother once had me way exposed up on a new route on the Grand
and I felt the same way! I’m a water person and I knew I didn’t have the skills or experience for what we were doing. Fortunatley, we cut the climb short rather than force it.

Back in the day when I was teaching diving and marine science… and I could free-dive 100′ down (diving in warm clear tropical waters) it was exhilarating and great training to stay calm no matter what. Later, I would be tasked as the diving officer on a month-long Smithsonian expedition to the blue-holes of Belize to keep gung-ho scuba diving scientists within their safe limits and safely exploring deep caves.

But when you enter cold, murky, rough water with currents and potential predators (that prey on your subconscious!), and w/o scuba gear, you are entering a world that makes it challenging to relax and training is key.

My take is that your Dominant kicked in, to fight your way back, instead of Stopping and Assessing (”this sucks!”). That would have let you know to give up your destination, (the float), and let yourself go with the current and angle your way to shore downcurrent somewhere and humbly walk or climb (your element) back.

How often in business is “taking that hill!” not necessarily the best long term strategy as opposed to building support structures, sustainability and avoiding burn-out?

I appreciated your reflections on your legacy and the gratitude to others your expressed, we can all be more conscious of that!

Craig Imler

Some safety observations for any other diving readers if I may:

If you’re only Ab diving once a year some serious pool/lake training is in order
prior to taking on the Pacific! Push yourself in a controlled setting with a safety buddy to get the breath-holding skills back. Practice equalizing and ditching the weight belt and clearing the mask over and over agin.

Good on you and Paul to have a float, but never, ever dive downstream from the float, boat, or any point you want to return to. Always stay upcurrent! And keep your buddy within 10 feet or less in low visibility. This also reduces shark interest, while increasing your personal odds in the event of an aggressive shark (just kidding Paul).

Remember even in very rough water if you have a snorkel and keep your head in the water and you stop and relax you can float effortlessly. Then you can make a rational choice about losing the weight belt.

And I agree with Paul, you gained at least 2 years of diving experience!

I experienced both sides of the coin while abalone diving. I was rescued and I did a little saving as well.

The great questions are what it is all about. Although, I believe it should be phrased…”APPROACH your life with GREAT QUESTIONS.” My touches with DEATH in LIFE deepen my appreciation for my life’s experiences and re-calibrate my path quickly when off course.

Recently, I took a big 180 in my car on a busy HWY here in Sacramento across a couple of lanes on a rainy day. I knew by the peace I had inside that I have been approaching my life with great questions. I did my best to keep the car under control but as I hydroplaned I knew in fact I was not. I knew any minute a semi could be striking my car. I relaxed and I said with a smile “okay God, it’s your game now.” I never thought once…did I tell my daughter she was loved? I knew she knew. I felt no regrets boil up. With a smile I went about my day! I do have to admit the trees seems a bit greener and the sky a bit more radiant. :)

Know what is really beautiful? The person (spirit) behind the analysis. Wow-Wee.

Namaste Tim! Glad we still have you here to share your spirit.

Holly & Tim sounds like two precious jewels in your crown!