Hartley’s Helmet Diving isn’t the kind of underwater tour that encourages people to simply ‘take their pictures and leave their bubbles’.Instead owner Greg Hartley aims to create a relationship between novice divers and the underwater marine creatures that he has forged a one-on-one relationship with.He not only names the fish that frequent the reef, such as Charles the Hogfish, he also offers them fresh food and teaches them tricks like swimming through hoops.Mr Hartley’s love for the deep blue was evident from the moment this reporter stepped on board the Rainbow Runner for a recent summertime excursion. It was my first attempt at diving of any sort — although it’s probably more fair to call this tour ‘sea walking’, seeing as my feet didn’t much leave the sea floor.Mr Hartley started the tour with a detailed briefing, while his son, Ben, chartered us (meaning myself and ten tourists from the cruise ships) to our location one-and-a-half miles offshore. We were given a rundown of the kind of creatures we might see and what to expect in her first few moments of going underwater — ear-clearing included.Most importantly, he told us the story about how Hartley’s Helmet Diving came to be. It goes something like this: Mr Hartley’s grandmother brought his father, Bronson, to the Island from Brooklyn, New York to escape the Great Depression.Young Bronson started to build his first diving helmet out of a tin paint can at age ten, and continued to improve upon the design throughout his youth. It wasn’t until 1947 that he started offering helmet diving tours professionally.Mr Hartley was three years old when he plunged into the waters for his first dive. He said the thing that sets this programme apart from others is it’s not just about making money, but rather for a love of the underwater creatures that he calls friends.I try to soak up as much information as possible, before the group is divided into two small dives — myself in the latter one.While the first batch of divers nervously enter the water, I talk to the tour operator’s son Ben about the experience.Although he said the novelty of helmet diving has worn off for him after doing it for so long (since he was ten-months-old, to be exact), Ben admitted his favourite part of the tour is seeing other people’s reactions to the fish and underwater wonders.Over the years he has seen extraordinary things from a green moray eel, to the occasional octopus and a sea slug commonly referred to as the ‘Undertaker’. Those are the exciting moments when you can learn something new, he explained.After relaxing on the boat for 40 to 45 minutes, it’s my group’s turn to go underwater.The first group emerge from the water and give the experience rave reviews. “That was fantastic. Unbelievable,” said one woman with a thick New Jersey accent. I become even more excited to ‘dive in’ (pardon the pun).A heavy helmet is placed on my head, but by the time Ben lets go of equipment you are already on your way down a ladder and into the water, where its weight isn’t an issue.What I do notice is that my ears are all of a sudden ringing in pain caused by a sinus infection. It takes a few minutes of grinding my jaw and swallowing, before they get used to being ten to 12 ft underwater.I am told that most people do not feel pain in their ears and equalise with ease.Finally in a position to enjoy the tour, I watch as colourful swarms of fish, including Leroy the Grey Snapper, a stunning blue and green angel fish named Diana and a large male hog fish swim around us.Mr Hartley expertly points to signage on his equipment to explain to us what we are encountering on the ocean floor.It’s almost like his small, personal aquarium, as he introduces us to different sea life, showing us a stunning violet sea fan, yellow brain coral, along with other plant and sponges. He also encourages us to touch the fish as they pass by looking for a bite of his fresh squid or other treats.You want time to stand still as you enjoy these rare moment of silence underwater and relish the beauty of the Island’s marine life.But time seems to go by doubly as fast and before you know it, the tour has come to an end.What you leave with are the fun memories, the knowledge that fish are our friends, and, if you opted to pay a few extra dollars, some beautiful pictures of the dive.The great thing about Hartley’s Helmet Diving is that it’s suitable for people of all ages, five and up, and you don’t need experience swimming to take part in this tour. Being in moderate to good health, however, is important before embarking on such an adventure.To reserve your space for the dive, phone 234-3535 or visit www.hartleybermuda.com.