Personal Narrative Essay

As I jumped into the water, I only had one thing on my mind: saving the victim. As I swam towards her I saw her head slip under. I called for a backboard before I dove beneath the surface to bring her head above the water. I

That afternoon, on the Shoshone River in the mountains of Wyoming, might have been my last. In hindsight, I knew the raft was going to overturn. Having looked downstream, I saw the imminent threat of the canyon wall. The raft guide yells “ALL IN,” but the opposite occurs. The five of us are tossed to the mercy of the waves. I do not recall hitting the wall; the only memory I possess is looking back and seeing nothing but crashing waves on every side of me. Our entire crew was out of view.

I made my way towards the woods. After I was a little away, and then I ran. I ran as fast as I could, not bothering to look back. My heart pounding as I dodged fallen trees and the ones in my way. I didn't want any more accidents like before.

As I got ready to run, and jump off, Alyssa began to chant a count down, “5, 4,3,2,1!” I took a big gulp and started to charge forward I stopped just before I had to jump off. "I can't do it" I thought to myself. I couldn’t get over the fear of getting hurt. I’ve seen videos where a person cliff jumping landed in the water the wrong way, and got severely hurt. I just kept replaying that same video over, and over in my head. “Take a deep breathe, take a few steps back, and run and jump,” Alyssa shouted. “There's only one way down,” she said. I began to start taking slow steps back inhaling and exhaling. She suddenly began to chant again, I put myself in ready position “3, 2,1!”. “I’m just going to do it I'm not even going to think about it” I thought to myself. “Go!” she

As I approached the boat I saw other people within it and I was immediately shocked by their height. As I stand eight feet tall and 300 pounds of muscle, I knew that this would be a difference they would notice. I have made the journey from my cave to the sand near the ocean many times and every time I did, I turned back. Not this time I said to myself, this time I was going to be brave. As the boat pulled away, I quickly dove into the water and followed it. I had no money for a boat ticket so I swam behind

The way his legs hung down toward the water was the epitome of how he was feeling in that moment. A microsecond from falling, every part of his body pulsing with fear and adrenaline. Knowing he would die if he didn’t pull himself up onto the rock, he considered the risks he would have to make. His only foible was the weakness in his arms, notwithstanding a day of nonstop climbing.

The day was festive. Up until, a third of the way across the bridge, I stopped to gaze at the blue sky, and then down at the water. Right after, a sudden impulse to jump overcame me. I grabbed the rail paralyzed with fear.

I felt as if I was roughly about 30 feet up. I glanced back down again thinking that I was never going to be able to do it. Little did I know that the breeze was a little strong up here. The gush was a little harder than I expected and I went flying of the rock into the water. My heart must have been beating about a mile a minute as my stomach lifted up into my throat. I let out a tiny scream before I hit the water. I gasped when I came up for air, my family cheering for me.

Caught off guard by the splash as the young boy hit the water, my foot slipped and I lunged for a handhold on the rough rocky wall. By now, a line was forming behind me of other people that wanted to jump, and I knew I was not going to be able to walk back down without the others having to go back down as well. After what felt like an eternity of careful shuffling along the ledge, I finally made it to the jumping spot! For me, this was a turning point- either I would overcome my fear and jump, or shamefully walk back to the comfortable security of the ground. With adrenaline coursing through my veins, all 5 senses were heightened to the point where I felt as though I was superwoman. The sky was electric blue in stark contrast to the ominous cliffs towering above and the leafy trees were swaying with the gentle breeze. One step and my toes were touching the edge of the cliff. A second step and they were curled over the sharp rocky

“But, but…” Because I knew my wishes of circumventing the situation were no longer available I stopped speaking. There were only five more steps to the top. If anyone saw me they would probably think that I was walking into a field of landmines. “You’re first!” My younger brother said in a devious tone. I sat down in the slide. I knew if I didn’t go, I would be shoved by one of my brothers who did not take my situation seriously. The water was luke-warm and sliding down my legs. I took a breath, grabbing the bar above my head, and flung myself exactly like a paper football being flicked.

We both peered over the edge of the rapidly flowing, white waters, we stood atop of. I questioned my decision to jump after all when i realized how high up we were. The murky blue water below me swirled with the current as the rushing waterfall kissed the surface.

Straight down I go with my eyes closed, vertically, 60 feet in the air, as I drop straight down the water slide being scared tremendously! At this moment, all I could feel was the pressure of my body moving and my adrenaline going. As I opened my eyes to see if it was coming to an end, all I could see were sharks staring at me through a clear acrylic tunnel surrounded by water filled with sharks. Sharks, who are known for killing , who are ruthless/ dangerous, hungry and are man eating creature that attack any human without thinking about it. These sharks were all different sizes (pite,standard,ginormous) swimming fast towards the clear acrylic tunnel with there eyes wide opened ready to eat. At that moment, my heart started beating fast and I started praying that I would make it out safely. I could not wait for this slide to be over. All I wanted to do was see my mother and go on the Bahamian beach. But, as soon as I saw these sharks staring at me, I closed my eyes,tightly, and drop start into the water. Panicking, I

As I wade into the water, I think back to all the days I dreamt of this life, and how now I feel trapped. Continuing into the water, I forget about Aliyah, the Thai restaurant, the Mormon skirts, and all the Marcia Bradys. Leaving all of my worries on the shore, all I have to concentrate on now, is keeping my head above water. I fled, now will I sink or will I

As I take yet another step, I feel my foot get wet with the freezing cold water of a lake in Ontario during the time when the leaves are changing to a more beautiful state, in preparation for their departure from the trees. With each new movement forward, the liquid moves farther up my leg. Pretty soon, I can no longer come into contact with the ground. I realize now that even though I could turn back to the land, where I am most comfortable and at ease, that I will not. The inability to touch the bottom or to even see the bottom is worrying. But I had come too far to give up on this dream. I take my arm and carefully place it in the water, trying to get a good feeling for it. I catch the water with my hands, and I have an epiphany that all

Honestly, I never thought it would come to this day, jumping into a body of water. Seems pretty pointless, if you ask me. Now, what am I doing? I struggled to gain consciousness. I strained to lift my head. In its pointlessness, my eyelids flew open. I didn't panic, I didn't struggle to breathe. I calmly floated, my body unable to move. Is this what it's like to be at peace? No, it was emptiness. I knew I had to get away from death. How? I tried focusing my eyesight, no light. I felt as if my chest were being ripped apart. I drew in a breath, no good. Water filled my lungs, I kicked and twisted, my body, begging for air. My eyes burned, and I made a last cry; as loud as I could muster, I cried out. Not a word, but a cry. A cry for life;