Winter Vacation 2010: Day 12

18.2.10

I woke up just before 7 am this morning. Apparently the morning dives leave at 6:30 am or so and so I heard lots of noise outside our bungalow. The morning was spent in the classroom watching more videos and then sitting in our small group (with our instructor Pierre). By the time the morning session was done, our group of 5 was down to 3. Then there was a lunch break and then we got our gear and learned to check and attach the equipment. The O2 tank, regulators, BCD, hoses, weights, mask, fins, wetsuit, etc. Then we dressed in wetsuits and headed into the water for a "swim test." It was hillarious! We were told to swim around a boat and then float. We were basically floating at the end just waiting to be called back in. Then we got equipment together, put it on and headed into the water.

I have to admit that it was a little disconcerting at first when I was told to breathe through a hose and go underwater. Then I had a few doubts later when I was told not to inhale and exhale fully. After knowing what it is like to not be able to breathe (while having pnemonia this past summer), I had a little bit of trouble getting used to that. We did the standard- throw away your regulator and get it back, take off your mask and then put it back on and get the water out by exhaling through your nose. Then we moved into deeper water and practiced taking our equipment on and off (as we had also done in the more shallow water). We also worked on releasing our weights and then getting them again and putting them back on. I was using 10 weights at 800 grams each (fat floats) to help me establish natural buoyancy. Then we worked on pivots and hovering. We swam around a reef and saw parrot fish, sole fish, sea cucumbers and others.

While learning to hover and pivot, we also did upsidedown hovering where it was like a headstand but suspended in the water. We also did ascents and rescue moves with O2 and buddy help. Then we came in, put our stuff away and washed it (rinsed in fresh water). Then I went to shower and thankfully the lights did not go out on me this time (although they did this morning as we were watching more of the DVD). Then to internet to send Shabbat photos and e-mail Ari and back to the restaurant to write and read.

I do have to admit that the sunsets here are fantastic!

Soon I'll go to bed since we have our exam and 1st 2 dives tomorrow.