Camp Sherman man dives around the world

Jack Walker displays his dive computer. Photo by Conrad Weiler

For the past 12 years Jack Walker has been scuba diving in the Caribbean, Hawaii and Mexican waters.

"I enjoy warm water diving," said the Camp Sherman resident. "I became certified in Maui during 1991.

"This teaches the basic skills of diving and later, on Kona, I got my advanced certification which covers more specialty dives such as night diving, navigation and deep dives."

Scuba stands for self contained underwater breathing apparatus.

Walker has explored the entire Kona coast and enjoys viewing, examining and photographing underwater life. The Turtle and Manta Ray dives off the Hawaiian Islands are among his favorites.

"The mantas feed on plankton and are quite friendly to watch. They span from six to 16 feet when extended and are very graceful," said Walker.

His deepest dive was off Bimini in the Bahamas at 137 feet.

"This was a continental shelf drift dive. On one side was this massive wall and the other side was blue water merging into black and infinity," he said.

He has also done "wreck" dives off the Florida coast and enjoys reef diving.

"I just poke around and enjoy life in the coral reefs," he said.

He finds it most interesting at about 35-foot depth for clarity of viewing and variety of ocean life to observe.

Walker has also dived the waters of Freeport, Sabu, Saint Kitts and Cancun in what started out as a summer diversion for this former Corvallis schoolteacher and counselor.

"It's pretty much a year- round choice now that I'm retired," he said.

Asked if he had a favorite dive spot, he replied, "All of these places are unique. It's very hard to pick a favorite."

On Walker's wish list is Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

Walker usually does two-tank dives. He carries a console that contains a computer that monitors air (he typically dives with 3,000 pounds), depth of the dive, water temperature and other information. He dives with a buoyancy control device which, along with a weight belt, allows him to position himself at differing water depths to enjoy his viewing.

"You dive with a buddy in case of emergency. I carry two regulators (breathing devices) attached to my air supply and if my buddy runs out of air she or he can share my second regulator," he said.

Walker has lived in Camp Sherman since 1968 (part-time) and retired there in 1994. He lives with his wife, Linda. He also taught at Black Butte School from 1973 to 1975.