By Cherrilynn Bisbano @bisbanowrites

“What are you doing? You could have killed me!” I said to my breathing buddy.

I attended Combat Camera School in Denver Colorado for the RI Air National Guard; I took a scuba (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus), class. Three months was a long time to be away so I filled my extra time with SCUBA lessons at the pool on base.

Buddy Breathing was a prerequisite for SCUBA certification. Buddy breathing is a rescue technique used when one diver is out of air. Two divers share one demand valve. The divers alternate breathing, taking two breaths each while swimming to the surface.

My buddy, Tom, and I were fifty feet under water when our test began. Tom seemed confident. I simulated “out of air”— I drew my hand across my throat in a cutting motion. Tom acknowledged my universal sign but did nothing. I repeated the sign and Tom acknowledged but did not hand me his breathing apparatus. After one minute I put my hand on his mouthpiece. Tom refused to give it, his eyes seemed to fill the mask before he swam away. 

Fear gripped me.  I must remain calm—my life depends on it. 

My chest hurt. If I ascended too quickly, I could get the bends—air bubbles in the blood. If I used my mouthpiece, I fail. I kicked my legs, I could see the blue sky above through the surface of the water. Finally, I broke through and gasped for air.

 My instructor looked at me, “Where is your buddy?”   

“I don’t know, he refused to give me his mouthpiece, so I came to the surface.”

“My instructor swam toward me.

“Are you alright? You came up rather quickly?”

Still catching my breath, I asked,

“Did I fail because of this?”  

At that moment Tom sprang out of the water.

“What are you doing? You could have killed me?” My hands shook, and the water hid my tears.

The instructor motioned Tom to swim away.

“Cherrilynn, I will handle Tom, you and I will go back and do buddy breathing so you won’t fail.”

Buddy breathing with the instructor was scary and difficult. My lungs and legs hurt but I did it.

The instructor helped Tom receive his certification.

Tom later apologized, “Cherrilynn I have a fear of drowning, I thought I would be ok. I’m sorry.”

“I forgive you.” I said. 

Do you know a brother or sister in Christ consumed with fear, doubt, or worry—one who needs a buddy to help them breath?

We are called to rescue our brothers and sisters.

My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. (James 5:19-20 NIV)

The Truth of God’s Word is the air we breathe. It brings life. The Word can save from heartache and trouble.   

The times in my life I felt like I was drowning in self-pity or pain, a brother or sister in Christ would come to me and breathe new life into me with the Word of God.

At times, I did not want to be resuscitated. I found the truth difficult to swallow. Who wants to be reminded that their sinful choice sunk them into the deep waters?  

The Word spoken or written in love was a life line to my soul, Scripture helped me rise above the surface and breath.

Who do you know that needs a Breathing Buddy?

Don’t withhold the Word of life from them in fear of their reaction.

Save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. (Jude 1:23 NIV)

Be the Breathing Buddy they need—help breathe life back into their Spirit with the Word of God.

Cherrilynn Bisbano is an award-winning writer, coach, editor, and speaker. As former managing editor of Almost an Author, she helped the website earn the #6 spot on the Top 100 best writing websites for 2018 by The Write Life and Top 101 Websites for writers with Writers Digest. Cherrilynn is a speaker with Women Speakers. Her topics include leadership, book proposals, and the Bible.

She is a two-time winner of Flash Fiction Weekly. Her work in progress, Accidental Findings, won the first 10 pages award with, When Words Count Retreat. You can find her published in Blue Ridge Writers Blog, Southern Writers, More to Life (MTL), Christian Rep, Christian Voice, Refresh, and other online magazines. Cherrilynn is a contributor to award-winning, Get to the Margins-Author Anthology; Breaking the Chains; Heart Reno, Kiss Guilt Goodbye; and Chicken Soup for the Soul-Miracles books. Her latest book, Shine Don’t Whine, released October 2020. Cherrilynn proudly served in the Navy and Air National Guard, earning the John Levitow Military leadership award.  She lives with her eighteen-year-old son, Michael, Jr., and husband of 22 years. Cherrilynn loves Christ, Chocolate, coffee, and Cats. You will often find her on the beach sea glass hunting.