Photos by Robert Smith
Sports Diver Theory Day
The first round of the Sports Diver Qualification for Ben A and Rob commenced with the easy Ocean Diver exam. After not doing too well, the day could only get better. The marathon theory training day consisted of 6 subject areas presented using good old fashion PowerPoint by Ben and Owen. We all managed to get through the day thanks to the help from the many biscuits and thought of a beer at the conclusion! Ben C and Owen did a fantastic job of teaching the topics; I feel that I really learnt a lot from the day and was eager to get into the water at Bare Island the next day.
Bare Island Dives:
Everyone rocked up on the beach at Bare Island around 10am all clued up on SMBs, Towing, Rescue Breathing and Chest Compressions (to name a few), ready to put the theory from the previous day into action. After finally getting sorted with the equipment, and learning the valuable lesson that regs can have different connection methods to BCDs the hard way (Grrr!!), it was time to get in the water. After conducted an effective buddy check the towing and rescue breathes were demonstrated and then practiced in the shallows. This was followed by a dive out towards Bare Island, instructed by Owen, with Rob deploying a SMB as we went. Once at a suitable depth, conducted the Alternative Supply (AS) ascent and then took it in turns to tow each other to shore, landing, dekitting and placing the casualty in the recovery position much to the concern of on looking children who were mightily relived when the casualty sprang back to life.
Lunch broke up the diving for well-earned snags and burgers on the BBQ. This must have been the part of the day which we all got sunburnt! After lunch dived out towards the planted SMB, instructed by Ben C. Performed the Controlled Buoyant Lift (CBL) on each other and then towed each other again, this time with while performing RBs as required. Landed each other unassisted and performed (fake) chest compressions with various onlookers wondering what the hell was going on. This all went well except Rob learnt another valuable lesson, after beaching someone, dont put them down on your fins, kinda restricts your movement somewhat. Least everyone else got a laugh! Thankfully no one called the emergency services for us.
While we were rescuing each other Tash, James and Kirsty went for a jolly dive round to Bare Island.
Was a good days dive with top tuition and learnt a lot to say the least. Roll on the next day of dive practical, and the Sports Diver Exam (maybe not the latter).
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