Dive Training Blogs
Drift Diving – Considerations before your first experience
By Roy Cabalo
Every diver has their preferred dive, be it reef, wreck, or cave diving. And every diver knows that each type of dive has its nuances that they wish they would have known better when they started. In my case, it was drift diving. Let me share a few things that you might want to think about before you get wet.
Negative Entry
The negative entry is one you don’t learn in the basic open water course and can be critical to a smooth descent and not missing your target. In a negative entry, you aren’t waiting around on the surface to signal OK and wait for your buddy. Communicate prior to make sure you both understand: you’re going in with your BCDs empty, equalizing early and often, using a long stride into the water on a deep exhale, keeping vertical body posture starting out, checking on each other at about 5-7 meters deep, and getting to the bottom as soon as safely possible.
A little extra weight doesn’t hurt
A little extra weight is just that – 1 to 2 pounds, not 4 or 5! This goes hand in hand with your negative entry towards making your decent smooth and easy. You aren’t racing to the bottom, but you aren’t making a leisurely descent! A good captain will give you a reasonable lead to start your drift and the lead should be something that’s part of the dive briefing. Remember, too little weight and you don’t sink fast enough, too much weight becomes dangerous!
The Dive Briefing
Remember the dive briefing that divers tend to overlook? It could provide you with the information that makes the difference between a good dive and a GREAT dive. A dive briefing should have a few routine things you’ve heard several times before – boat rules, where the dive guide will be (if you have one), time limits, depths and such. Some key parts are unique to each dive: identifying your objective – drifting over a reef, ledge, or wreck trek, key things for you to look for, geographic features that will indicate you are drifting along the correct path, and so on. Really listen to this briefing! I can’t tell you how many divers are having sidebar conversations and miss so much great information.
Don’t lose your cool if you surface and the boat isn’t right there
Different divers will stay down different amounts of time, and the boat will take time to pick everyone up. Add a little air to your safety sausage while you’re waiting for the boat. Stay close to your buddy; it’s very easy to unknowingly drift apart. Take the time while on the surface to talk about the dive and what you saw. If the waves seem to be a bit much, leave your regulator or your snorkel in your mouth. This is a great time to relax and think about the things you saw that so many other don’t. Divers see the other 71% of the world, so your memories are some of the greatest things you’ll be able to share with others.
Hopefully, these few thoughts will come to mind next time you get ready to drift and they become a valuable reference for future dives. The weather is beautiful, let’s go Dive Dive Dive!
To find out more about International Training, visit www.tdisdi.com.
Blogs
Four opportunities to go pro in 2024 with Dive Friends Bonaire
Dive Friends teaches the Instructor Development Course (IDC) several times a year to students who are eager to share their passion for diving with the world.
Dive Friends is known for the personal approach throughout the course. Their in-house course director will lead the students through every essential step, mentoring them to achieve their fullest potential as a dive instructor.
Applications for the following IDC start dates are now open:
- 12 April
- 5 July,
- 20 September
- 29 November
Partnership with Casita Palma
If the student opts for the IDC-Deluxe or IDC-Supreme package, their accommodation will be arranged for them at Casita Palma. This small and quiet resort is within walking distance from Dive Friends Bonaire’s main dive shop location and has everything you need to relax after an intense day of IDC training. Breakfast is included, so the student will always be fuelled and ready for their day.
Contact Dive Friends Bonaire’s Course Director Eddy for more information: coursedirector@divefriendsbonaire.com.
Blogs
Scubility: Achieving Success through Adaptability
The Scubility Program in Action
In the last four events, we have enrolled many Scubility divers in the program. We also have a team of trained instructors and assistants; without them, this wouldn’t be possible. The main objective was to make safe and comfortable diving experiences for Scubility students. In fact, in the last Scubility program, which concluded in March 2023, we included a blind diver along with six other Scubility divers. We also had 8 instructors and more than 10 assistant participants to make this possible.
The main challenge for blind divers is to set up a communication signal. So, I designed a unique ‘touch signal’ for blind students where they just need to touch an arm to convey a message. For example, when an instructor touches your arm twice, it means he is asking, “Are you okay?”. In case of any emergency during the dive, the blind diver just needs to squeeze the arm of the instructor to get his attention to solve the problem. For each Scubility diver, there were at least two personnel, an instructor, and an assistant, assigned.
Impact and Emotions of Scubility
The most satisfying experience of this program was to see Scubility divers happy, with emotional, teary eyes. I could imagine that probably for the first time, or perhaps the only time, some of them could walk, stand, and move again underwater without a wheelchair, feeling alive again. Seeing a courageous Scubility diver overcoming all challenges and obstacles to make it possible definitely inspires me to organize more events like this.
“Scuba Diving for All” Event
The biggest local Scubility program, named “Scuba Diving for All,” was organized in Khao Lak, Phang-nga Province, south of Thailand, from October 30 to November 5, 2018. We invited international Scubility participant divers for this event. Leading up to this program, we put in lots of effort, preparing hotels and resorts in a friendly design, making sure of choosing good dive sites, and above all, to bring a smile to our precious Scubility students.
I hope that this endeavor will serve as an inspiration for people worldwide to achieve what may seem impossible, while also raising awareness about the importance of charity and kindness in our society. I look forward to welcoming you soon to our joyful underwater realm.
As an SDI TDI & Scubility IT, Dan Phutthakhun Prungkananon, owner of All Star Diving Academy located in Thailand, has a deep-rooted passion for ensuring safety and fun in the water. Keep up with Dan and the All Star Diving Academy via Instagram or Facebook and by checking out their Dive Center Facebook.
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