When on holiday in Malta a diving school came to the hotel to demonstrate how to scuba dive.  They did this by letting people try the breathing sets on in the swimming pool.  I really wanted to do it but the sets are very heavy and I was worried about my back.  They told me not to bother but that they would show me the next day in the sea which they told me would be easier. 

The following day I went in the van with all the other people and first i had to have a medical.  Once this was done we drove down to the beach but they told me not to get out.  Sheila and I stayed in the van, they then drove to a quiet cove and we got out.  It was just the four of us, there were two instructors and they were both for me.  Sheila did not want to try it so they told me to wade out until I was chest deep then they brought the breathing set out and put it on me.  As I was in the water I could not really feel the weight so it was fine.  They explained what to do and I went under the water, I found myself holding my breath afraid to breathe normally and then I came up.  One of the instructors was a lady and she asked me if I was alright.  I told her I think i panicked.  She said okay but if I came up again we would stop.  I relaxed and slid under the water.  I took a breath and it was amazing.  I swam down to the bottom which was only about 25 feet down and just slowly swam around.  They were both with me all the time.  I spent about 35-40  minutes down and it was the best experience.  It was so peaceful and calm, it was just wonderful.  I saw a few small fishes and some crabs.

I think this is the sort of thing you have to try when on holiday.  If you do not like it you never have to do it again but you must try.  I think you go up to about 150 feet and the view from up there is amazing.  You are sat on a bar and strapped in and you hold the uprights, a bit like on a swing.  Your feet are just dangling as in the picture.