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Learning to Scuba Dive

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I have now been at Hull University for nearly 3 months now, and quite recently I did my first pool session for dive training. Scuba Diving feels amazing and I want to tell all of those who haven’t experienced it how wonderful it is.

As soon as we got to the pool, we swam 8 lengths and then had to either tread water or float for 10 minutes. I chose to float because it is the easiest way to conserve energy when you have been scuba diving. This was to show how strong a swimmer we all were and to improve our stamina. It also provided us with great training for if we became stranded in the ocean and had to wait for assistance from a nearby boat, ship, etc. One of the most important things is to conserve your energy and not wear yourself out.

Once we had all finished that, we were issued with our kit (well just our snorkel, mask, fins and boots).

Once they were clear that everything fitted, we put on the whole gear; including the BCD, tank, weight belt etc, and then got into the water. Once in the water, we were shown how to use the regulator and tried it out. It felt strange at first but then I loved the feeling of breathing through it underwater. The feeling was indescribable and I couldn’t wait to get swimming about under the water. However, before they let us swim around the pool, we had to undergo various tasks.

The first task was taking the regulator out. We had three steps to follow:

Step 1) We had to remove the regulator, blow bubbles, replace the regulator and purge the water by blowing into the regulator before breathing again.

Step 2) Yet again we had to remove the regulator, blow bubbles and replace it. However, this time we had to press the purge button on the front of the regulator once it was in our mouth. To do this without choking, you must place your tongue over the hole in the mouth piece so that when you purge the water, it doesn’t get forced down your throat.

Step 3) (This one concerned me a bit before doing it) We had to remove the regulator, throw it behind us and use the given method to get it back and then put it back into our mouth to breathe again. To do this you reach for your knee first, then your backside, then your tank and bring your arm back forward towards you. If you do this right, the regulator will be caught in the crook of your arm and you can easily get it.

The instructors shook our hand if they think we completed it fine. If not, we would simply repeat it until we got the hang of it.

The next tasks after this were to do with our mask. One problem underwater is that water can get into your mask. A way to resolve this is to tilt your head up, press on the top of your mask and then blow out through your nose. This forces the water out of the bottom of the mask and you will be able to see clearly again.

We had to do this firstly with a tiny bit of water in to get rid of. Then we had to fill the mask entirely with water and get rid of that. Finally, we had to take the mask off and replace it before clearing the water to be able to see again.

I must admit, I panicked at first when I took my mask off because I hate not being able to see clearly. I re-did this one. But once I did it the second time, I got the hang of it. The instructors were all very helpful and supportive.

Once this was all successfully completed, we were told how the BCD works and what to press and when. After we had all understood this, we were allowed to swim around in the fins. It was a little difficult at first but I soon got the hang of it. The key to swimming properly with them on is to lock your knees in place and move your legs using your hips. The water pressure against the fins made it fairly difficult, but nothing a little practice would sort out.

We went on to play games underwater with our set buddies (Having a buddy on a dive is a must because they may be the reason you live if something went wrong). We attempted to play catch with a foam missile but it was difficult to since perception under water is slightly different to out of the water. Objects and creatures underwater will appear much bigger and closer than they actually are, so we weren’t really able to perceive where the object was accurately and most of the time we failed to catch it. I must admit it was loads of fun though.

The instructor kept showing off a bit. Whereas we were all struggling to just sit on the bottom of the pool underwater, he was able to do that and back-flips. Lucky bugger. He ensured us that everything will be difficult at first (e.g. merely sitting on the bottom of the pool), but we will get the hang of it in due time. I never wanted to get out of the pool.

To any of those who have never dived: I recommend you at least try it once, it feels amazing and I guarantee you – once you have tried it once, you will want to do it again!!

Katherine is currently a student at the university of Hull in her first year of studying Marine and Freshwater Biology. She hopes to become a Freelance Marine Biologist specializing in the cetaceans of the sea.

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Four opportunities to go pro in 2024 with Dive Friends Bonaire

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idc

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.

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Scubility: Achieving Success through Adaptability

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scubility

Introduction to Scubility

Being a scuba diving professional, I am always fascinated by the beauty of the underwater world, filled with colorful coral and a variety of marine species. Every dive site around the world has something unique to offer, attracting the diving community to immerse themselves time and time again. The feeling of being underwater is a unique experience, akin to being in space, where you can escape Earth’s gravity to enjoy the freedom of movement. However, water sports are often believed to be accessible only to those with good physical strength, leaving others to only dream of being there.

The Genesis of Scubility

Scubility was developed as a way to help people with disabilities experience the magic of scuba diving or snorkeling. A few years back we became involved in the SDI Scubility program as a way to use our diving experience and knowledge to bring disabled people beneath the ocean. To empower them with a feeling where they can forget their disability and limitations. The image of a Wheelchair Hero from the movie ‘AVATAR’, who could walk and run only in dreams, was the first seed of the idea for a local Scubility program.

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Launching the Scubility Course

Since 2014, my friend has dedicated himself to helping disabled people. Knowing that I am an SDI/TDI Instructor Trainer, he called upon me to help bring them into the world of scuba diving. Captivated by this idea, I decided to offer a special diving course adapted for disabled people: the SDI Scubility Course. The sole purpose was to bring happiness and a feeling of belonging back to our precious disabled students, by giving them an immersive experience under the sea. Perhaps, the mother ocean has a way of treating us all equally, to rebuild confidence and give hope of being alive.

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Adapting Diving for All Abilities

Initially, most Scubility divers in our programs were wheelchair users. The main challenge was to design a unique technique suitable for each Scubility diver, based on their limitations. To do so, we set up a protocol keeping in mind all the scenarios that could arise during diving, starting from boarding the boat, to diving, and the communication signals during the dive. Training was also provided to volunteer participants, mostly instructors and assistant divers.

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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.

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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.

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“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.

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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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