Blake Martinez’s journey into the underwater realm of freediving and shark diving began ten years ago, spurred by a significant turning point in her life. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in nutrition, Blake found herself working in a weight loss clinic, assisting patients in their pre-surgical weight loss journeys. The job was often disheartening, revealing to her that true health extends beyond physical nutrition to encompass mental well-being.
One particularly tough day at work, Blake decided to take a walk along the docks to clear her mind. There, she met a boat captain and impulsively asked if she could work for free until she proved herself as a capable deckhand. Her initiative paid off, leading to a few months of hard work and an eventual career shift. Blake pursued her passion for the ocean, obtaining her PADI Divemaster certification and later becoming a freediving instructor. However, an incident in 2021, where she rescued a student from a panic attack at 60 feet depth and burst both her eardrums in the process, forced her out of the water for almost a year. This setback seemed to end her professional diving career until she discovered an internship with a shark diving boat that didn't require deep dives. This opportunity rekindled her passion, allowing her to fall in love with sharks and their world.
The Unique Sensation of Diving with Sharks
Being deep underwater with sharks offers a distinctive experience compared to encountering other marine life. Sharks demand total presence and attention. Unlike the tranquil, meditative state often achieved in scuba diving, shark diving requires constant vigilance. As a safety diver, Blake meticulously observes every movement and behavior of the sharks to ensure the safety of her divers. This heightened state of awareness has taught her to stay grounded and present, skills that are invaluable in both diving and life.
"Sharks taught me to stay present, and to stand my ground. Eye contact goes a long ways with sharks, and tiger sharks especially react inquisitively if you swim away. I always say that the big female tiger sharks taught me to be a queen just like them."
Debunking Shark Myths
Through her experiences, Blake aims to dispel common myths about sharks. She emphasizes that sharks are patient and discerning apex predators. Many people mistakenly believe that all sharks, regardless of species or size, pose a significant threat. However, Blake’s experiences show that understanding shark behavior and respecting their environment significantly reduces risks. "I always make the joke that the only ocean animal that ever bit me was a sea turtle, but that is because I know what conditions to dive in and when to stay out of the water."
With proper precautions, sharks are not the mindless threats they are often portrayed to be.
Blake also addresses the myth concerning blood in the water. While sharks are indeed attracted to the scent of blood, human blood does not trigger a feeding frenzy. Sharks are more interested in the smell of fish blood, which is akin to a favorite treat, whereas human blood is merely a curiosity to them.
Mental Preparation for Diving
For Blake, mental preparation for a dive involves more than just calming her own nerves; it’s about ensuring that her clients feel safe and ready. She teaches nervous divers box breathing techniques to help regulate their nervous systems and convey a sense of calm and strength to the sharks. Sharks have a keen sense of the electrical currents in the water, including heartbeats, and a strong, steady heartbeat signals to them that the diver is healthy and aware.
Memorable Underwater Encounters
Among Blake’s countless underwater adventures, one particularly touching moment stands out. A tiger shark named Scarlet, a frequent visitor during her dives in 2022, provided an unexpected but profound connection. One day, as Blake redirected Scarlet away from a diver, she noticed the shark’s skin wrinkling under her touch. This moment of physical contact, coupled with the sunlight casting rainbows on Scarlet’s body, highlighted a shared resilience and strength between them, deepening Blake’s appreciation for these magnificent creatures. SEE THE INCREDIBLE VIDEO HERE.
"We were both there, in that moment, having gone through our own trials and struggles to meet and touch on that day. The water was insanely calm that day as well, so when the sunlight hit little rainbows broke across her body and it just felt so magical."
Message of Conservation
Blake’s perspective on marine conservation has evolved significantly since she began diving with sharks. She has witnessed firsthand the fear and misunderstanding that still surround these vital creatures. Blake advocates for shark conservation, emphasizing their crucial role in maintaining healthy ocean ecosystems.
Through her diving adventures and interactions with sharks, Blake Martinez hopes to convey a powerful message:
"Everything is not as it seems. We have lost over 70% of all shark and ray species in the ocean since 1969. In florida people are saying that sharks are overpopulated, but they are not even close to their pre-shark finning numbers. They are apex preadators, strong and deserve massive respect, but they are also vulnerable. We have come so far as humans, and our instincts tell us to clear out all predators or anything that can hurt us. I think that with this growth we often forget that we have a duty to keep balance on this earth. As my apex predator protection hero, the late Steve Irwin said," We don't own planet earth, We belong to it. And we must share it with our wildlife."
Save The Mermaids Podcast
Blake and her good friend Chelsea now have Save The Mermaids Podcast. You can check it out here. "We’ve created the “Save the Mermaids” podcast to connect people from across the 7 seas who have a desire to protect our waters and learn to live in sync with nature with simple tips to create a more eco-friendly lifestyle!"
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