“Please don’t wait. I wish I had done this so many years ago” Karen Hartley advises anyone considering getting their PADI Open Water Diver certification. She spent her school summers lifeguarding and has loved the water all her life. A TV show in high school sparked her fascination with the underwater world, and she has wanted to dive ever since.

In June, Karen fulfilled that dream and a promise to become a certified diver. Her dive journey is a story of courage and friendship that underpins the healing power of the underwater world and becoming part of the dive community.

“It has been a long-time passion to scuba dive and about two years ago my loving hubby and I planned a trip to Hawaii—I was already enrolled in scuba classes. My husband Michael became ill, and just before he passed, he asked me to keep my promise and go scuba diving because I had wanted to for most of my life.”

This summer, Karen became a PADI Open Water Diver in Kona, Hawai. We asked her to share more about her dive journey.

Related Reading: PADI Club Member Trip: Kona, Hawaii

What is your occupation?

Risk manager for Navy Federal Credit Union

What activities other than diving do you enjoy?

I love the outdoors and softball, tennis with my daughters and friends, horseback riding and competing.

What drew you to diving?

The fascination of the underwater—God created a whole underwater world, and I wanted to see His creation firsthand.

How does diving enhance your life?

It is an amazing underwater world that people just can't imagine—its beauty, picturesque views, breathtaking colors of the fish, coral and all that you can see. It leaves an impression of love, admiration and gratefulness to be able to experience this with others who have that passion, kindness and caring that I had not been a part of.

Do you plan to continue your dive training in some way?

I plan to keep diving and training and learning, because all of that will enhance my skills and help me enjoy scuba diving more.

Related Reading: How to Be a Better Underwater Navigator

How long have you been a PADI Club member?

This is my first year. I hope others who are on the fence will jump off and join after reading this. The members I met on the Kona, Hawaii diving trip have truly been a blessing to me in my life's journey. Some older, some younger and ALL of them wonderful caring people who shared dive tips and made my trip so memorable.

What is your favorite aspect about PADI Club trips?

All the PADI Club Members you get to meet. They are extraordinary people who give their hearts and support to all who are diving with them. They make you feel like family with whom you get to share this underwater adventure.

What is your advice to other individuals considering getting Open Water Diver certified?

I am so very thankful for all the truly amazing, blessed, incredibly warm and wonderful people I have got to dive with and treasure for the rest of my life's journey!