looking for a review before holidaying in Sharm and a newly qualified Divemaster as keen as mustard to have a go on a Rebreather and you have a brilliant mix for some time in the pool.That is exactly what I had on Saturday. Whilst others were teaching Open Water I had two tasks as we took on a three hour session in the Film Studios deep pool.
The first task was to put Bruce through his paces on skills demonstration. Bruce has just found Orca having already qualified to Assistant Instructor level. He has taken some time out and is now back with a vengeance. Bruce was able to convince me that diving can be like riding a bike, once you have the skills they are always accessible even if things do become a bit rusty.
Bruce was joined by Kerry who had similarly taken some time out from diving and wanted a review before going on holiday to Sharm. Always makes me envious even if I have only recently come back myself. Like Bruce, Kerry's skills came back easily and she looked very competent indeed, certainly enough to have a fantastic time in Egypt.
Scuba reviews for those that have not been in the water for some time are essential even if things do come back easily. The point for me is that while things come back easily generally speaking, the place to get it right is in the pool not in the middle of a dive on holiday. Moreover things do change over time so being up to speed means that you will know what is going on when a strange buddy starts to do something that would otherwise seem odd. When you dive with anybody trust is everything whether your buddy for the day is new to you or the person you have known for years. It is simple really, you have to rely on a buddy to do what they are supposed to do, if they can't or don't what you have is a liability. I have no desire to dive with a liability and that is why brushing up on your skills is so vital.
Having had enormous fun with Bruce and Kerry it was time to get the Rebreather out for some try dive experience. I am always explaining to people how different diving is when you are on a rebreather, personally I love it.I think I may have found another convert as well. James's initial comment was "that's weird" and then he noticed the things all rebreather divers really appreciate, it is so quiet you can hear so much more.
Predictably, even though in the briefing buoyancy was fully explained with details of how breathing in and out will not have an impact as it does on open circuit, James still reported that he tried to breath to control his position in the water. It is one of things that you simply have to adjust to because when the buoyancy is right you do literally stay where you are in the water column with no effort.
Interestingly in his quiet contemplation and concentration James apparently did not discover on of the other quirks, you can talk on the rebreather. I think I am happy about that..........
Of course another reality is that you do need to be much more self reliant because for many scenarios that could occur having a buddy is not going to help much. I have had to learn to get by without and I now enjoy that freedom. It also means that you really do have to get full training before you jump into the Rebreather world.
I really am looking forward to giving others the chance to try out the rebreather
No comments:
Post a Comment