Reflections on Courage: The Tale of Free Diving and Unparalleled Heroism

Welcome back to my Runpreneur blog on consecutive day 1175! Today, I want to dive deep into the topic of courage—how courageous are you, really? This subject struck me profoundly after watching a compelling Netflix documentary, "The Deepest Breath." Be warned—spoilers ahead if you haven't watched it and plan to.

So, what is it about courage that piqued my interest? Let’s set the stage with free diving. For those unfamiliar, free diving is an extreme sport involving diving as deeply as possible without any oxygen tank. To give you perspective, the female world record is an astonishing 104 meters deep—imagine diving more than two Statues of Liberty stacked atop each other, all while holding your breath!

The safety measures in free diving are stringent, especially given the terrifying risks. When divers return to the surface, the final 10 meters pose the greatest danger due to pressure changes. Many black out during this phase, risking their lives within seconds. Watching this, I couldn’t help but compare it to another extreme passion of mine—free climbing. Yet, I reckon free diving might just edge out free climbing in terms of sheer risk.

This brings me to the hero of the documentary, an Irish free diver named Stephen Keenan. Stephen once held the Irish national record before transitioning to become a top-tier safety diver, training in Egypt after a severe blackout incident. This decision alone showcases a self-awareness and courage that few possess.

One particularly gripping incident involved Stephen risking his life to save another diver 40 meters from the surface—a depth he rarely ventured to. Despite the monumental danger, Stephen successfully rescued the diver. His selflessness garnered him respect and acclaim in the free diving community.

But it was his relationship with Alessia Zecchini, an Italian freediver, that revealed his ultimate act of heroism. Alessia, the current female world record holder at that time, found unparalleled psychological assurance knowing Stephen was her safety diver. Their bond, a mix of professional collaboration and romance, was palpable.

Their story reaches its zenith during one of the most hazardous dives—an underwater hole culminating in a famous arch. With extreme precision required, Stephen positioned himself beyond the arch to guide Alessia up. However, they missed each other, leading to a chaotic and perilous sequence.

Alessia, disoriented and in grave danger, was saved by Stephen's swift and self-sacrificial action. He pushed her to safety but succumbed to a blackout himself, tragically not surviving the dive. Stephen's ability to put Alessia's life before his, even knowing the likely fatal consequence, broke me down emotionally. Such heroism is daunting and rare, and it left me contemplating my own capacities for courage.

Would I have the guts to act as Stephen did? It’s easy to romanticize heroism, but reality demands profound self-assessment. For loved ones—my wife, my children—I’d like to believe I would act without hesitation. But for a stranger, would I summon that same courage? Stephen Keenan’s story forces us to ask hard questions about our own bravery and selflessness.

Hence, today’s takeaway from the diary is profound: Real heroism and true courage often reveal themselves only under extraordinary circumstances. Until we're tested in such dire moments, we truly don’t know the extent of our own bravery.

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Stay positive, stay happy, and I’ll see you again tomorrow.

Kevin Brittain