Expert Scuba

All of these are very good questions to ask. Quite often newly certified divers wonder if they are ready to take my Advanced class and my response is ... by all means ... sign up! I always welcome new divers into my Advanced class. Being asked to help a new diver in continuing their education is a joy and an honor for any instructor.

Brand new divers tend to be eager to learn, and that is good. I enjoy opening new doors for their interests to blossom. I like to think I do so in an encouraging and helpful way. In no way is an Advanced class going to make a person an instant expert in any area. It does, however, give them additional knowledge on which to build upon and enjoy our sport.

A NAUI Advanced Course includes at least six dives in different areas. Depending on where you are taking the course, the types of dives will vary. When completing an Advanced class in the ocean your training will likely include a non-penetration wreck dive and/or a drift dive.

When I teach an Advanced class locally, I usually begin with a buoyancy clinic. We discuss and correct issues such as proper weighting, proper trim in the water, proper finning techniques, and all around general comfort in the water.

All too often beginning divers are over-weighted for their evaluation dives and don't realize how much more efficient they would be with the proper amount of weight, as opposed to what they may have carried previously. Instructors often over-weight so students can stay comfortably on the bottom or on a training platform to practice their basic skills without floundering around. However, getting in the habit of wearing too much weight will hinder good buoyancy skills, and that in turn makes your air consumption worse.

By wearing the correct amount of weight a new diver will find neutral buoyancy much easier to achieve. When you use less air in your BC to remain neutrally buoyant, you have more air to breathe! By being more comfortable in the water your breathing rate will slow down. Better buoyancy + slower breathing = better air consumption + longer bottom time!

After everyone in the class has a grip on neutral buoyancy and comfort, we move on to using certain tools. We discuss and demonstrate the use of lift bags and safety markers. I explain that you should never attempt to bring up an object that weighs more than your weightbelt without the use of a lift bag. I explain the features of the lift bags and the function of each feature. I show the students a couple of styles of safety markers. We discuss the pros and cons of each. Once we have completed the workshop we put the lift bag to use! Any tools you might want to use underwater require practice underwater.

On the third dive we put all the components of the first dive into use. We plan a dive to find out what each diver's air consumption rate is. I generally plan the dive to 35 feet, spending 20 minutes at depth, then doing a safety stop at 15 feet for three minutes. Each diver is responsible for remembering his/her own air pressure used. The diver makes note of starting tank pressure and the remaining pressure at the end of 20 minutes at depth.

I explain converting pressure to cubic feet of air used, then calculating air consumption based on the dive. Let's use an aluminum 80 cubic foot tank as an example. Aluminum 80s have a working pressure of 3,000 psi. Divide the tanks volume (80) by working pressure (3000) to find the cubic feet per psi. To find out how many cubic feet of gas used during the designated dive time, multiply the number by the psi used. To find out how much air would have been used at the surface we then divide that number by 2, since 35 feet in fresh water is very close to 2 ATAs. Divide this number by 20 minutes and the answer gives you your air consumption in cubic feet.

Example: 80 cu ft tank, 1000 psi used, 35 feet for 20 minutes.
80/3000 = 0.0266666 X 1000 = 26.6666/2 = 13.3333/20 = 0.666665
This diver's surface air consumption rate would be .66 cubic feet per minute.

New divers often learn their surface air consumption rate is anywhere between .66 and 1.1 cubic feet per minute. The more you dive and the more comfortable you become, the less air you will consume. Knowing how much air you consume on the surface will allow you to better plan your dives. Knowing planned depths and tank volumes, you can figure out roughly how much time you can spend diving.

Next we plan and conduct a night dive. The first rule of night diving is to dive the site in the daytime first. Familiarize yourself with the entry, the exit, and any points of interest you care to see and explore. I demonstrate light signals. I remind everyone to keep your light beam out of everyone's eyes. Acclimating to darkness takes 20 minutes or so, however, losing it takes just a split second! I often add a little challenge to the dive by taking students to a local river. This way they get to familiarize themselves with current, too.

The deep dive is next. We spend time reviewing dive tables. Since the students will also be doing a navigation dive later in the day, they plan both dives and a surface interval based on the information I supply about the dives.

Quite often I conduct the Advanced class at Loch Low-Minn quarry in Athens, Tennessee. The deepest section of the quarry is roughly 80 feet and not often vey clear. Often the visibility is good, but the ambient light is lacking, due to the algae bloom in the shallower water. One thing everyone will discover is what a thermocline is! And there are things to see: Recently 70+ paddlefish were released in the quarry, and they prefer the deeper water, so I suspect we'll be meeting them during future deep dives there.

Last, but certainly not least, is the navigation dive. This can be challenging, so I save it for last. Successful navigation begins with proper planning of the dive and clarifying the role of each member of the dive team. We introduce indirect read and direct read compasses to the students. We discuss all the features of compasses and demonstrate how to use them. They perform a few patterns on land, then donn gear for surface skills.

We explain the usefulness and importance of measuring distance underwater. Each student then follows a measured line and counts his/her kick cycles. They do this twice and find an average. Each student is given a direction and a distance and asked to do a reciprocal heading back to their starting point. Once this is done, they are asked to swim a square search pattern using kick cycles and the compass in returning to where they began.

And then the fun begins! Each team prepares for their navigation dive, discussing each person's responsibilities. My navigation course is rather unique in that there are no signs of the course from the surface!

A rescue is a required dive for the Advanced certification. Since I include a detailed rescue in my beginning class, I do not dwell on it, but we do discuss proper techniques and practice being victim and the rescuer.

The exact sequence for a successful rescue includes locating the victim, shaking them to see if they respond, and assume control by placing your knees on either side of the victims scuba tank. As you remain above the victim, steadying yourself on their back, be sure to maintain an open airway by cradling his/her chin in your right hand and aiming their face towards the surface. Attempt to bring the victim up by inflating his/her BC. If the victim's scuba tank is empty, you must use your own BC to begin the ascent. Remember the rate of ascent is crucial - no faster than your smallest exhaled bubbles! Once on the surface, call for help, then check the victim's airway, breathing and circulation. Get the victim out of the water and out of his/her gear, lay him/her flat on his/her back with feet elevated. Call Diver's Alert Network (DAN) at 1-919-684-8111. Do what you can to make the victim comfortable, maintain life support and wait for further instruction and assistance.

And that, my friend, is my Advanced Class! Care to join us?

Posted by Carol at 04:08 PM | Comments (0)

November 01, 2006

Haunted Night Dive, Anyone?

Each October for the past few years, there's been a murmur at Loch Low-Minn quarry of a Haunted Night Dive. Just to set the record straight, it's not a rumor ... It's a fact! Ok, so there may not be any REAL ghosts, but there are some that "hang" around underwater!

The idea for a Haunted Night Dive hit me while walking through a Halloween store. Ted and I decided we'd make it a project and have all of my Dive Master candidates participate.

We started gathering monsters and goblins and ghouls ... pumpkins and ghosts and cauldrons ... witches and bats and spiders ... things that go Bump in the night.

Once everything was on paper, the real planning and preparation began. We figured out what all props we had and drew out a map of the area we were to decorate. Once a route was in place, we began the prep work of the props.

How would we suspend the ghosts? The pumpkins? The bats? How would we illuminate them all? Well, we used a lot of balloons and chemical glow sticks! How would we make the cauldron bubble? Easy! A scuba tank would be attached to a device that would slow the flow of air down.

Over the course of the weekend we learned a few things. First, an inflated balloon is next to impossible to sink! We'd later design another method that would better suit our needs. Second, we learned the chemical glow sticks are an excellent way to illuminate the path! Third, we learned that even by slowing down the flow of air drastically, the air didn't last long enough, so it was back to the drawing board.

This year we perfected some of our techniques and found solutions for other problems. The ghosts were a piece of cake. Each ghost is made up of a white plastic bathroom garbage can turned upside down. Three holes are drilled in the lip of the can to allow for three strings to hold it in place. A small anchor made of concrete was made and strategically placed in the quarry. The strings were attached to these anchors and air was purged into the cans. A white sheet was then draped over the can and two blue chemical glow sticks were placed inside.

The pumpkins were those plastic pails that kids use for Trick or Treating. A hole is drilled in the bottom and a neoprene ring is glued to the underside of the pumpkin to give it more flotation. Without the neoprene, the pumpkin is only slightly positively buoyant. Two glow sticks are attached to a string that runs through the hole in the bottom. The string is then tied to a rock and stays somewhat stationary unless disturbed.

The bubbling cauldron problem was solved with a little thought. Ted found that a few pounds of dry ice, a three pound weight, and three green glow sticks were the answer! The dry ice bubbled for over an hour in water 67 degrees ... Plenty of time for all the divers to see and enjoy the effect.

My dear friend Donna and her husband Tom donated a coffin last year, so we used it again for a corpse made of a mannequin draped with black fabric, a skeleton mask, skeleton glove hands, and an axe. A glow in the dark tombstone at its head read "R.I.P"

Bats were hanging in trees, tarantulas were also. A witch had "melted" on the quarry floor, leaving behind only a black cape, a broom, and her hat. A pirate was hiding in a rock pile, a ghoul was suspended above the platform, glowing pairs of eyes were lurking amongst the grasses, severed body parts were scattered along the quarry floor, hanging out of a concrete alligator's mouth, and out of the Loch Ness Monster's mouth as well.

Hot chocolate and flavored coffee awaited all divers once they exited the water. The air temperature was much colder than the 67 degree water, but everyone agrees it's always worth the effort to make this dive.

Next year's Haunted Night Dive will be a bit different. I will not be responsible for pulling the entire thing off. Stacy and Rick and I have decided to get more divers involved by making it more of a contest among individual divers and groups. Everyone will construct their own creative display and place it in the quarry early in the month of October. Everyone will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite display. A night dive will be planned so that everyone can enjoy the area in an eerier light. Later in the month the votes will be tallied and a winner will be announced.

If you'd like more information or suggestions in creating your own Haunted Night Dive, or if you have ideas you'd like to offer, please contact us. We're always open to suggestions!

Posted by Carol at 04:07 PM | Comments (0)

October 07, 2006

Back From Little Cayman

Okay, so I've been home from Little Cayman for a week now. Seems like adequate time to digest everything. So here goes ...

Little Cayman was the destination. Delta and Cayman Air were the means of getting there. Two big jets and a small twin engine plane that holds 14 or so passengers and lands on a grass field that's used for soccer when no planes are landing.

Yes, Little Cayman is a small island. I believe it's 11 miles long and 1 mile wide with one main road around the island and one that cuts across it. Electricity is relatively new to the island. It wasn't until the mid 1990s that they even got power!

Karaoke seems to be one of the big highlights of the island, and Little Cayman Beach Resort on a Friday night seems to be the place! I think the locals just like to be entertained by the tourists. :-)

The daily schedule is quite simple. Up by 7:00 for breakfast, on the boat by 7:45 for two dives, back in for lunch around noon, back on the boat at 1:45 for an afternoon dive, then back in time to swim, clean up and/or a nap before dinner. The bar seemed to be open all day and night, but then again, I don't think I ever stayed awake past 10:00 pm!

Speaking of meals, everything was WONDERFUL! They prepare lots of good food that should suit even the pickiest of eaters. Breakfast choices includes cereal, yogurt, muffins, pastries, juices, coffee, tea, tons of fresh fruit, eggs, bacon, sausage, omelets, and some bread-like carbs for extra energy to keep a diver going. Lunch always provided salads, sandwich fixin's, a pasta dish, vegetables, at least one other meat option and awesome desserts. The dinner buffet always offered a huge salad with lots of toppings, vegetables, meat dishes, pasta, and again, wonderful desserts! If you walked away hungry, it was definitely your own fault!

And now ... What everyone has been waiting for ... THE DIVING!

All I can say is WOW!! It's been ages since I've been diving in the Cayman Islands, but I guarantee you it won't be as long before I go back to Little Cayman! Everyday brought an array of wonderful colors, sounds, and experiences. The days were warm with blue skies and the typical occasional white puffy cloud we all expect when visiting the Caribbean. The water was quite calm and crystal clear. It was easy to see the reefs and critters even from a moving boat! The water temperature registered 88 - 89 degrees on more than one dive computer, so no wetsuits were needed. Some people wore them more as protection than for warmth. On some dive sites there would be a mild current, but nothing that kept us on the boat. We even had great conditions for night diving. Our night dive was on a wreck called the Soto Trader. We saw tons of HUGE groupers and parrotfish, spotted eels, crabs, lobsters, squid, and tons of varieties of fish ... too many to mention! Several of us had high powered lights for shooting stills or videos and that drew in a rather undesirable critter ... bloodworms. After 45 minute or so they were a bit annoying, but that's something almost everyone was willing to deal with.

As Conrad mentioned, I took well over 400 photographs and I am still in the process of weeding through them. Please check back often to see any new additions to my Cayman Gallery. I told everyone on our boat about this website and promised them all their very own page of photos, if they'd like. Many of them said they'd like to contribute, so as soon as they do we will add another article with links to everyones' photos.

All in all, it was an outstanding trip. For those who are tied to the Internet, they do have wireless access, and a lot of people were hanging around the bar with their laptops. It was a bit weird for an out-of-the-way dive location, but a necessity these days. Due to luggage weight restrictions, I was unable to take this large laptop. Had I had a smaller one, I'd have taken it in a heartbeat!

And now for planning the next dive trip ... :-)

Posted by Carol at 04:07 PM | Comments (0)

September 10, 2006

My take on diving with critters

I've thought long and hard about this topic. All my life I've loved interacting with animals and, to be honest, I don't ever look for that to change. Everyone at work is now calling me "Stingray" because of how I replied when they asked me if I'd stop diving now because of how Steve Irwin died.

I never met Steve, but I certainly would have enjoyed that opportunity. I admired him for having the ability to interact with often deadly creatures. I also occasionally thought he was nuts for doing it. All in all, Steve had a wonderful and unique life. I feel such extreme and deep sorrow that he is no longer with us. It saddens me to know that what is often thought of as a docile creature was able to take his life in such an almost impossible manner. So, once again, just as Steve's life was unique, so was his untimely death.

Some may see me as an extremist, too, I suppose. The very thought of being in the water with a creature over 40 feet long thrills me, and in no way intimidates me. Swimming with humpback whales, whale sharks, and a plethora of varieties of sharks and rays has added a great deal to my fondest memories of things that have taken place underwater.

I have been able to visit places such as the Galapagos Islands, Socorro, San Benedicto, the Sea of Cortez, Palau, Yap, Kauai, Channel Islands, Catalina Island, Vancouver Island, the Caribbean, and the Bahamas, to name just a few, I have been fortunate enough to see and interact with a lot of large animals. Animals such as giant manta rays, golden cow rays, marble rays, spotted eagle rays, stingrays, guitar fish, and skates. Sharks such as Hammerheads, Galapagos sharks, silkies, white tips, black tips, silver tips, tiger sharks, bull sharks, sand tigers, nurse sharks, angel sharks, and grey reef sharks. I've also encountered such large critters as Mola Molas, harbour seals, monk seals, sealions, an elephant seal, bottle nose dolphins, and spinner dolphins to name a few! And, yes. I do still have all of my own appendages :-)

One of my first underwater experiences with rays was at Stingray City in Grand Cayman. For many years Stingray City has been known as the World's Best 12' Dive location. And that it is! We were briefed before entering the water about how docile the rays are, how to feed them, how to pet them, and how to avoid the only injury even thought possible ... and that's a "Stingray Hickey!"

How might one receive a Stingray Hickey? Well, it's not easy, but it can happen! Each dive team is given a small plastic container filled with chopped fish. This is stingray food. The container's lid has slits cut in it so that you may stick a couple of your fingers inside to retrieve a piece of the fish. This way not all of the fish will come out of the container. Your goal is to feed the less aggressive females. It's obvious which are females; they are larger than the males. You are instructed to hold the container with the lid up against your body so the scent of the fish does not get in the water around you. My dive buddy, Ted, received a hickey because a male stingray snuck up from behind and tried to get into the container he was holding. Ted was wearing a lined dive skin, and even through the skin, the ray was able to grasp onto his arm flesh and cause a small bruise. Hence, a Stingray Hickey.

Some of my most memorable events underwater have taken place at Socorro Island, San Benedicto Island, and Roca partida. All of these are enjoyed by booking a trip on the Solmar V live aboard out of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The boat is fabulous and the crew is phenomenal. (If you go there, please tell Captain Pedro, Jose Luis, Pepe, Ray, Jeronimo, and the rest of the crew that I said hello!) On almost every single dive we encountered giant manta rays. Often we saw lots of sharks, as well. I have had numerous experiences with giant mantas, but two stuck out above all the rest. Back in 2001 when I went there the first time, I had a remarkable experience that I will not go into detail about right now, but I will tell you this... Every day of my life I think about it!

Last December I returned to the islands. During that trip I do believe I found an old manta friend. Her belly markings looked familiar, and she certainly wasn't timid when it came to approaching me! I spent at least 30 minutes during a dive having what I call a religious experience with this manta. I was hovering directly below the boat at 30 feet deep, and was virtually alone, with the exception of this manta ray. I was within sight of the anchor line at all times, the water was crystal clear, and the rest of my dive team was 30 feet below me watching a school of hammerheads being cleaned. The manta ray was not afraid to be touched, nor was she afraid to touch me, often finding myself face to face with this beautiful, majestic creature!

The most harmful encounter I've ever had with any of the creatures has been with sealions. On more than one occasion sealions have grabbed my fins with their teeth. It doesn't help that I always find myself drawn to be right in the middle of the colony, so I'm sure my encounters have been unusual. One one occasion in the Galapagos Islands, a sealion got a little too playful. Instead of just nipping at my fins, he placed his teeth on my calf. He did not hurt me, nor do I believe that was his intention. I totally believe he was playing with me just as a pet dog would play with his master.

All in all, I am enjoying a totally fabulous career in Scuba diving! I would not change it for the world. The only thing I would do differently is that I would have gotten certified years earlier in my life!

Posted by Carol at 04:06 PM | Comments (0)

August 31, 2006

The Other Side of the Coin ... Part 2

Okay, it is WAAAAY past time for me to write another entry here, so here goes! The last time I wrote about classes, I discussed the details of the first two weeks of my class. I also mentioned the third and fourth weeks, but did not describe them.

I often refer to the third lecture as the "Light and Fluffy" lecture ... it is about our Diving Environments. We begin by watching a video that was filmed and edited during a trip to Cayman Brac back in 1996. Even though it's a bit old, the information is still very useful. I went on that trip with a group of nine divers from our local dive shop, but we were not alone at the resort or on the dive boat. Another group from Alabama joined us, as did a few individuals from parts unknown.

Cayman Brac is known for its crystal clear waters and abundance of fish and corals. Part of the reason we went down there was to explore the newly sunken wreck on the North side of the island, the "Keith Tibbetts." As for the people we'd be diving with all week, they all seemed to be experienced divers. However there was one guy who was a menace to the underwater world! One member of our group hit the nail directly on the head when he said, "There are two destroyers in these waters, and one of them is a ship!"

So this poor guy became known as "John the Destroyer." Everyone on the boat was amazed at his uncaring attitude and his total disinterest in protecting the environment. This guy literally walked on the bottom at times! He wore a shorty wetsuit, enough weight to sink a battleship, and never clipped off his instruments or octopus. He left them dangling to get caught on corals and sea fans. He was an accident waiting to happen.

Anyway, the reason I brought "John the Destroyer" up in the first place is because even though he was the perfect example of what NOT to do, I have shown that video to over 700 students and it has made quite an impact! I believe in protecting our natural resources, and that definitely applies beneath the surface!

I enjoy teaching the Environment Lecture. We discuss Sight, Sound, Hearing, Temperature, Boat Diving, Entries, Lines, Currents, Waves, and Critters. I have encluded lots of pictures from places I've been throughout the years, as well.

The next night we gather at the dive shop again to get in the pool. We work on gear assembly again, deep water entries, surface swimming, breathing underwater, and mask passing. We then move on to air sharing and rescues.

Everyon then removes their equipment, disassembles it all, cleans it and stores it away for next weeks use.

Week four consists of the Diving Physiology lecture and the pool test. We group the indirect effects of pressure, along with dive tables for this lecture. We discuss Shallow Water Blackout, Hypoxia, Oxygen Toxicity, Carbon Dioxide poisoning, Carbon Monoxide Toxicity, Nitrogen Narcosis, Decompression Sickness, and the dive tables.

In the fourth pool session we review all skills in preparation for evaluation dives. Each student must assemble their own equipment without any help from their buddy, then each buddy team check their buddies equipment. Once completed, everyone readies themself for a deep water entry. We all go to the shallow end to practice mask off skills one more time. We discuss evaluation dives and go over all of the skills we will be doing over the course of the two days needed for the five evaluation dives.

Speaking of evaluation dives, next time I will go into detail about how I conduct mine!

Posted by Carol at 04:05 PM | Comments (0)

August 06, 2006

Congratulations, Conrad!

So, within a few hours from now my partner, Conrad, will be a card carrying PADI Scuba diver! I am so very proud of him! When I first discovered this fascination of his to become a scuba diver, he quizzed me about every aspect of scuba. Next came the question of me teaching him. That didn't seem like a valid option because of timing and our geographical locations. I urged him to explore the dive shops in his area, so he did.

Before I go on, here is a brief view of my diving history:

I earned my Beginning Scuba certification through NAUI in April, 1994. I was immediately hooked, as I knew I would be. Purchasing my very own gear was a big step, but I decided to make that step while I was still in training sessions in the pool. I wanted to get use to my own equipment and have a knowledgeable Instructor around in case I had questions or concerns. That turned out to be a very wise decision. By owning my own gear I was able to go diving more frequently in familiar gear, and I did! Within the first two years after certification I completed nearly 250 dives! Most in local waters, but many in wonderful destinations such as Grand Cayman, Bahamas, Bonaire, all over Florida, Truk Lagoon, Palau, and Yap.

I have never stopped learning about scuba. As soon as I got my certification card I enrolled in more classes. Advanced, then Nitrox, then Drysuit, followed by Equipment Specialist, then on to Cavern, and Intro To Cave Diving. I also completed NAUI's Advanced Rescue Diver, then Full Cave, and enrolled in a NAUI Dive Master program. And, yes, that was all within the first two years after my initial certification!

I changed careers in mid-stride. I followed my heart from being an Investment Banker to being a Dive Shop employee, and then I quickly made the decision to become a NAUI Instructor. Once settled in my new career and after establishing myself as an Instructor, I went on to acquire more training in different diving environments. I chose Diver Propulsion Vehicle in an Overhead Environment training, Extended Range diving, and eventually Trimix.

My career choices took a turn in a different direction nearly a year ago, but I am still an active NAUI Instructor, teaching 6 to 8 regularly scheduled classes per year along with private classes.

I have never regretted any of my decisions. I love diving and I love teaching. And I love seeing people become turned on to a sport I have such a deep passion for. I am pleased and proud that Conrad will now be able to share and explore our wonderful underwater world!

Okay. Enough about me... let's get back to the subject at hand!

Keeping in line with Conrad's curiosity about the sport, I quizzed him on what types of diving he intends to do, and then steered him in the direction of the best style of gear for the task. I have had the opportunity to view and use a lot of dive gear. Some good, some okay, and some bad.

Conrad asked me questions, listened to my opinions, asked more questions, and then made his decisions. He is one to take the time and effort to fully research any subject and thoroughly understand all the data before he makes his own decisions or forms an opinion. I feel honored that he values my opinions and experience.

So, right this minute he should be underwater completing his third of four certification dives. Last night he asked me what to expect of his experience today. I told him how I run my students' evaluation dives, what we do, and how long it all takes. He then told me Chuck had given him similar information.

I'm glad Conrad asks questions. I'm glad he doesn't take training lightly. I'm glad he understands this is a recreational activity, but is also serious business. I am enjoying re-learning what it's like to be a student in a beginning scuba class. I am enjoying getting to see it all through someone else's eyes whom loves writing and sharing his feelings and experiences. I hope that between the two of us, all of you, the readers of this site, will gain valuable knowledge and also will feel free to share your views and opinions as well!

Please help me by congratulating Conrad on a job well done! May he experience many, many years of safe and wonderful diving!

Posted by Carol at 04:05 PM | Comments (0)

August 04, 2006

The other side of the coin

Since Conrad is writing about his Beginning Scuba class, perhaps I should write about mine. Not MY class, but the ones I am currently instructing. After years of Instructing, it's always nice to find out the views of a student. Thanks, Conrad!

About my helpers...

I have several Dive Master candidates in various stages of training. Dewey, Charley, and Chris have been working diligently to get their training completed. Chad started with them, but had to take a break when he bought a new business that ended up taking ALL of his available time! Doug and Dan have been in training off and on for quite a while, but both have had to postpone training because of either career changes and relocating. I wish them all the best, but I miss them! Ted is a loyal and constant companion during checkout dives, but it's like pulling teeth to get him to come to classes and pool sessions. I suppose that what happens when you stay active as a card carrying Dive Master for 10+ years! If I really needed him to help out in the pool I have no doubt he'd be there! Rhonda, Donna, Alicia, and Jeff are all promising Dive Master candidates who have all just begun their training.

About my classes in general...

The schedule for my NAUI Beginning Scuba Diver course consists of four classroom sessions and four pool sessions, followed by a scheduled night for the written exam, then two days for the five required evaluation dives. I generally teach on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings with classes beginning at 7:00PM and ending roughly at 10:00PM. Pool sessions often run over, as I feel pool time is extremely important.

About this class...

My current class consists of eight students: Mary, Jerry, Charlie, John, Mark, Quinten, Arlene, and Harry. The first five of them were present for the first lecture. Harry is joining this class after completing several of the classes with another group. Due to scheduling conflicts, he was unable to complete training earlier in the year. Quinten and Arlene joined class a little later. No worries, I will get them caught up before the scheduled evaluation dives later this month.

Okay, enough about them individually; I'll get on with thoughts about their training!

Week 1:
During the first lecture I did an orientation, then Charley described equipment and explained the use and functions of each piece of gear necessary for scuba diving, as well as useful accessories.

The following evening was their first pool session. The students completed the required distance swim, underwater swim, treading water, plus all the required skills necessary for snorkeling. Several of them had never used a mask and snorkel before, but everyone did a great job, seemed very comfortable in the water, and they were fired up about being on scuba the following week.

Week 2:
This week was the Diving Physics lecture. I use to dread this lecture, but I worked so hard to come up with easy ways to make it all make sense, so now it's my favorite lecture and it takes the least amount of time to teach! Charley taught this lecture and did a fabulous job! We were done almost an hour ahead of schedule!

Thursday night was their first night on scuba. Preparation for this class always takes longer than the other pool sessions because we assign rental equipment and go over assembly in great detail. Chris was responsible for the majority of this pool session and he did a fine job. Gear assembly went smoothly. No equipment malfunctions. Everything fit everyone first try, so we didn't waste any time. They were instructed on proper assembly methods, and well as given a few hints and tips to make these tasks simpler.

Once gear was assembled and all students were in the pool and instructed on proper donning techniques, they were ready for their first breaths of compressed air underwater! Call me silly, but I learned several years ago that students are more comfortable learning the functionality of gear one piece at a time. We asked them to put their regulators in their mouths and breathe in and out five times, then repeat the process with their faces in the water. They all got the hang of it immediately! We then added masks, and once they were comfortable with everything we told them to let all the air out of their BCs and go lay on the bottom of the pool. This is when I check to make sure everyone is wearing enough lead to sink. We start everyone out with four pounds, and then adjust as needed. We left them on the bottom of the shallow end to get comfortable for probably 1tenminutes, and they all did great!

Next came basic skills: Mask flood and clear, mask removal and replacement, regulator removal and replacement, then regulator recoveries. As expected, everyone got the hang of it immediately. The only thing I noticed was that they all seemed to be having trouble keeping their regulator mouthpieces in their mouths. They just couldn't stop smiling! Okay, a slight exaggeration, but they all seemed to be enjoying it! And that's a good thing. :-)

We discussed the importance of monitoring their instruments. While on the surface we allowed them to feel what it would be like to run out of air. While above water, they stood in a line facing the same direction and each turned off the air supply of the person standing in front of them, while breathing through their own regulator. None of them seemed to like that feeling, and I can only hope that by experiencing that on the surface, they will always be aware of how much air they actually have!

We discussed the possibility of equipment malfunctions. One step that seems to be left out of a lot of beginning courses is how to deal with a power inflator that is stuck and continuously inflating the diver's BC. It’s an easy fix, but most people think the only option is to keep dumping air. All this accomplishes is draining your scuba cylinder a lot faster! The best option is to disconnect the inflator hose, stopping the flow of air. If more air is then needed in the BC, you have two options. Orally inflate the BC or temporarily reconnect the low-pressure hose. This skill needs to be practiced while pressure is on the system, as it is much more difficult to operate when under pressure.

Once these skills were completed, they all seemed ready for buoyancy practice, so we got them started after reminding them how to properly equalize their ears and other air spaces. Once they all were neutral, we took them on several practice laps around the pool, each time getting progressively deeper. Once everyone was comfortable in deep water, we took them one at a time and repeated the skills learned in shallow water. Once we told them skills were all completed for the evening they all; wanted to practice a bit more, so we let them. Everyone got out and we instructed them on how to disassemble and care for their equipment.

Next Tuesday night is what I call the "Light and Fluffy" lecture... Diving Environment! Wednesday's pool session will be methods of sharing air and practicing rescue techniques, as well as a lot more buoyancy practice. Stay tuned for more! - Carol

Posted by Carol at 04:04 PM | Comments (0)

July 20, 2006

Advanced NAUI certification -- A night at the Wye

The Wye dive site, located just inside the boundaries of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Townsend, Tennessee is just a shallow little dive, but often fun and relaxing. For me, it's a great, easy dive site to get to after a long day at work. It is not very deep but so much fun. Depending on the season, the temperatures vary from upper 40s to just over 70 degrees. This is a prime dive site for seeing Hellbenders, among the largest salamanders in the world, and wonderful creatures

The time was 8:45 pm on Tuesday. Not even close to dark, but still, the excitement was building. I had three students present; Alicia, Chris, and Josh. The forth, Rhonda, was attending a funeral of a young man taken way before his time.

We arrived at our dive destination ahead of schedule, so we had more time to assess the site. There were lots of people in the water swimming, playing, and jumping off the cliffs. If those brave enough to jump only knew the risks they were taking.

The water at the Wye is always swift and often clear. Tonight was no exception. The temperature, however, was almost unseasonably warm; a balmy 72 degrees. This night would be an awakening for three eager students. Each there for his or her own reasons for being there but with a common goal -- to achieve their NAUI Advanced Certification. This would be their night dive, the fourth of six required dives for certification requirements.

As we were assessing the area we noticed bubbles appearing on the surface of the water in a methodical pattern. Someone had beat us to it ... A diver was in the water. Soon we were able to see the diver and noticed he was not wearing a wetsuit. We continued looking around the area and the diver got out of the water and walked up to his car. He looked puzzled and just stood there looking around. Alicia and I walked over to see if he had found any treasures during his dive. I then realized he was a dear friend of mine, Edward. We talked for a few moments, then I asked him if he'd like to join us on our night dive. He said he'd love to, but he didn't have a flashlight or another tank of air. I told him not to worry, we had extra tanks and a few spare lights. With consent of his wife and daughter, Edward stayed for the night dive and we took him home afterwards.

I instructed my students on the proper etiquette of night diving. We went over site orientation, safety issues and communication skills. Everyone donned their gear and away we went!

My students entered the water first and then Edward. I stayed on the surface for a few moments to make sure everyone was underwater and didn't have any issues. All looked fine, so I entered the crisp, clear waters. Once underwater, I knew I was once again in my element. Hovering weightlessly in the current as my students watched in awe and learned the proper techniques to achieve the wonder known as being neutrally buoyant.

I had explained to them about currents and eddies and how to use them to their advantage. Everyone swam around looking at the rock formations, leaving no small stone unturned, looking for treasures. Often, we find watches, sunglasses, and occasionally money. Nothing of great value, but definitely good conversation pieces. I wear one of those treasures around my neck, a St. Christopher medallion. The medallion has an inscription and a date: 08-12-75. I found the medallion at the Wye on 08-12-94. Coincidence? Who knows for sure! I have only taken that St. Christopher off twice in the 12 years I have had it. One of those times was recently, as I wanted to wear a beautiful celtic medallion and did not want the chain of the St. Christopher to distract from the beauty of this special necklace.

One of the students, Chris, discovered the exhillirating pleasure of trying to swin upstream, against the current. I asked him if he'd like to race through the rapids and he said yes. I gave him a head start, then I made my way with ease through the rocks in an area that was protected from the current. He saw me soaring by and tried even harder to catch me. Once I had reached our destination I turned into the current and let go. There are few feelings that match that of letting go and allowing the water take you where it wants you to go. A true sense of freedom and being one with nature. One of Nature's amusement park rides.

The other students took their turns fighting the current and then letting go. They were like children on a roller coaster wanting to ride over and over and over again. I'm not sure they ever truly understood the feeling of total freedom, but they will learn that with time and experience underwater. I got out of the water to watch them from the shore. The night air was perfect. Not too hot. Not too cold. Warm enough to dry the water droplets from my skin. The night sky was ultra clear and filled with stars. Lights were not needed to walk back to the cars, as the stars illuminated the path.

Silence. The true attraction to scuba diving. Silence, peacefulness, and serenity. The absence of phones, horns, and anything stressful. The freedom to explore a huge portion of our world that is virtually untouched. The opportunity to learn about nature, understand sea creatures behavior, and to be One with Nature.

I feel fortunate to live so close to such a wonderful place. I feel lucky to be in a situation where I can share this place with fellow scuba divers, my students. I feel blessed to have gone to all of the wonderful places I have already seen and experienced. And I eagerly await the future. A new future.

That's all. A typical evening scuba diving. A tiny dot in the experience billboard that makes us who we are. And, for those moments, my billboard intersects with those of my students. An intersection that will never occur again, no matter how hard we try. No two experiences are ever the same, so each is unique. As unique as each individual. - Caro

Posted by Carol at 04:02 PM | Comments (0)