By Alexis Chase
Warrior Utica HS
1st Place
Division 3, Yearbook
Personality Profile
From age 10 to 15, sophomore Keenan Smyth has been diving deep into rivers, lakes, and other large bodies of water to retrieve other people’s lost possessions. When he was nine, Smyth’s uncle introduced him to scuba diving. His uncle took him on a discovery dive, which is a first dive with all of the equipment, but no training. After his first discovery dive, Smyth fell in love and wanted to continue diving to become certified as a search and rescue scuba diver.
Between 2009 and 2010, Smyth was qualified to take a written and physical certification test after he had gone through a training class. Throughout the class, he was taught how to use his equipment properly.
When Smyth goes under water, he wears a wet suit, a mask, an oxygen tank, and a breathing regulator. After his written test, he had to take a physical test to prove he knew how to use this equipment properly. He passed his test and became certified shortly after.
Since then, Smyth has retrieved things such as wallets, phones, wedding rings, earrings, and bracelets from deep under the water.
“It was always scary going down into the water when I first started, because all you would see was complete darkness in front of your face,” Smyth said. “After more training and practice, it wasn’t so bad.”
Before they dive under, Smyth and his diving team put together back-up plans in case anything goes wrong.
“The coolest thing I have ever experienced was going under the water to find a semi truck that had fallen through six feet of ice,“ Smyth said.
Smyth has a support team at home with his mom, dad, and uncle. Most of his friends don‘t know about his hobby, because it is not something he often shares with people. His father scuba dives with him, and has been for many years. In his spare time, when he’s not out hunting for treasure, Smyth hangs out with his friends and family, enjoying life. As soon as the job calls, though, Smyth is ready in his wet suit and mask to go on yet another quest for treasure as Keenan Smyth: Teenage Treasure Hunter.