Scuba Skills for Vets
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/scuba-skills-vets-professional-passion-galina
Today, I've been thinking a lot about what I can contribute back to my profession I almost left completely 3 years ago and I wanted to share a personal journey that intertwines two seemingly different worlds: scuba diving and veterinary medicine. I've talked about how this hobby I picked up in vet school has somehow ended up saving and then changing my life in many ways!
While they may appear unrelated, my passion for exploring the depths of the ocean has unexpectedly enhanced both my abilities as a veterinarian and my capacity to cope with being a veterinarian. Join me as I dive into the connection between these two realms and the valuable skills that seamlessly translated from one to the other.
1️⃣ Adaptability: Just as the ocean's currents and marine life are ever-changing, veterinary medicine presents a dynamic and unpredictable environment. Just as my journey through this profession has not being a straight line, when I felt swept away I have tried to go with the flow. Scuba diving taught me to adapt swiftly, adjust to new situations, and make crucial decisions on the spot. These skills have proven invaluable in my daily work, enabling me to handle emergencies with composure and find creative solutions to unexpected challenges.
2️⃣ Effective Communication: Underwater, communication is essential for safety and successful dives. I quickly learned to convey information concisely and clearly, using hand signals and simple gestures. It's amazing how quickly you realize words actually confuse fundamental communication. This ability to communicate efficiently, even in high-pressure situations, has enhanced my interactions with clients, colleagues, and pet owners. It allows me to explain complex medical conditions in a way that is easily understood, fostering trust and cooperation with those involved in the care of animals.
3️⃣ Attention to Detail: In the depths of the ocean, keen observation is vital to spot fascinating marine creatures and ensure one's safety. As a veterinarian, attention to detail is equally important, as it helps me identify subtle signs of illness or injury in animals under my care. Thanks to my scuba diving experiences, I've developed a sharp eye for detail, enabling me to perform thorough examinations and provide accurate diagnoses for my patients or really just pay more attention to the little things.
4️⃣ Team Collaboration: Scuba diving taught me the significance of teamwork and collaboration. Diving with a buddy requires trust, effective coordination, and mutual support. Trust is the key factor here, and it's built on the little everyday words and gestures we take for granted. These principles have seamlessly carried over into my role as a veterinarian, where working in tandem with a skilled team is crucial to providing the best possible care for animals. By fostering a collaborative environment, we enhance patient outcomes and create a positive workplace culture.
5️⃣ Resilience: The ocean can be awe-inspiring but also challenging and demanding. Diving has taught me resilience, pushing my limits and helping me overcome obstacles, both physically and mentally. Think 48 year old trying to keep up and then kick ass with a bunch of 20 somethings, I almost quit a few times but thankfully I'm just too stubborn! Similarly, the veterinary profession can be emotionally and physically demanding. By drawing on my scuba diving experiences, I've developed the strength to face difficult situations, maintain composure during stressful moments, and persevere in the face of adversity. Breath control is a great diving skill, and much like yoga breathing and other intentional breathwork therapies, can have profound short and long term physiological effects on stress, anxiety and depression.
As I reflect on my journey, I am grateful for the unexpected ways in which my love for scuba diving has enhanced my skills and capabilities as a veterinarian and helped me remain in the profession when I thought I just didn't have it in me to ever doctor again. The ocean taught me invaluable lessons that continue to shape my professional life and remind me of the profound interconnectedness of our world.
I would love to hear from others who have discovered unexpected connections between their passions and their professional lives. Please feel free to share your stories or thoughts in the comments below.
Let's keep diving deep into life's adventures, both under the sea and in our chosen professions!
#ScubaDivingSkills #VeterinaryMedicine #LifeLessons #PassionandProfession
