reminder... my pictures are on twango
Its been a while since i wrote an update. I've been meaning too for a while... its just... well there always seems to be something to do.
I've been really good lately. The I'm fairly deep into my dive master course at this point. It's a pretty intensive program. The goal is that you are a diving expert by the end of the course. Although you can do a lot more training (instructor, and other diving specialties) the bulk of the dive theory, diving physiology, physics etc are taught in this class. It covers mapping dive sites, leading groups, and even a small amount of business so that you can be helpful around the shop. An internship in the shop and a swim test are all involved too, so its pretty inclusive.
Today i banged a few different things off my checklist. In the morning i did my equipment exchange, diver rescue and tired diver tow. In the equipment exchange, two divers must entirely swap gear under the water, both breathing from the same regulator (breathing equipment), and passing it back and forth. I was kinda nervous about it, but it went pretty smoothly, and me and my partner both received high marks. The tired diver tow is essentially a timed swim, pushing or pulling another person, and the rescue is a full rescue simulation of a drowning diver, complete up and to the point of getting them on shore or boat and starting to give CPR. Where we are, we have to remove all of their gear while giving in water rescue breaths, in order to get them up on the boat. All of the training i had in my rescue class a week or two ago came in handy on that one, and i hadn't really forgotten anything yet, which was reassuring.
Later on today i went on the first two open water dives on the open water class i've been assisting on recently. This is the first time i've assisted on an open water class, and i really enjoyed seeing the students move from total nervousness the first time they got in the water (just at the side of our dock in water they can stand in) to excitement and comfort of their second dive, with fish and obstacles. Both the instructor, Zac, and the students in the course gave me and the other dive-master on the course, my friend really positive feedback on our work to which was nice.
I've prided myself on my lack of bug-spray use. I have a distaste for deet, and i've only used it once since i got here (exactly three weeks ago!!) but since i moved the mosquitos aren't as bad. Many people here complain about them, but i've learned to "Ride the trip" when getting bitten, and if you don't scratch em, they really aren't that bad. That said i squash a mosquito if its chewing on me, as my bhuddist training isn't good enough to avoid that.
So my trip is one third done, and i continue to feel more and more comfortable here, although i'm a little homesick as well. Most of my dreams are either about events taking place in seattle or about people from seattle, so it's certainly on my mind. My air-ticket has me flying home on i think the 14th of December, and at this point i don't see that changing.
I'm toying with the idea of doing a diving instructor course in early november. It's really a question of whether i want to finish my divemaster so quickly, and of course of money as well. I do know that i want to either now or later do an instructor course, i think i would enjoy it, but i'm going to have to see where i'm at when the dates are getting close.
I had another amazing whale shark experience recently, when we took a bunch of children out on to see the sharks. The kids had all submitted posters of the environmentalism and the ocean to a local paper, and their prize was to go see dolphin and whale sharks. We didn't manage to see dolphins, but we had an incredible experience with this whale shark that kept turning around to get other looks at us. The sharks are known to be skittish normally, but it was really interested in us. My feeling is that the animal was interested in or attracted to the energy of the children, who were so bubbly. Whatever the case this huge creature would swim buy, and then turn around for a second look. We had tons of time in the water and made contact with it a number of times, which is unusual. Needless to say it was awesome.
I've taken a bunch more dives lately, and to be honest, between diving, and doing other divemaster related activities (studying, preparing boats, etc) i'm not socializing that much. I'm definitely going out a bit, but i've been enjoying a lot of time to myself as well.
Jeez, i'm just noticing that the room is rolling again. I'm on a boat pretty much every day, and my sea legs don't leave me much these days...
Ok i got to run to a staff meeting. Peace out!
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