That tech 1 - it's hard you know...

[dry suit diver]

don't forget the questionable skills of yours Daz , although questionable probably isn't the right word as it must have taken hours of practice to get the hose caught between the boots -If you were a better .....etc. etc. etc.

[Helen F H]

Originally Posted by Steve L.

He was dressed exactly like Daz, only longer (everyones longer than Daz).

That is one of the best things i have ever read on here

[Little Pete]

(everyones longer than Daz).

....I'm not


(anybody else remember that scene from Life of Brian? )

[Helen F H]

Im not either, but i wouldnt let it get you down. He is ginger too

[Gareth Burrows]

one of these days Daz is gonna get fed up of all this pi$$-taking, and will simply stroll up to someone at a YD gig and punch them right in the knee.

[Martin Burnard]

Only if standing on a box!

[Clare Gledhill]

Today started where we left off yesterday with the rest of a very long exam on gas management, deco theory, dive planning etc. We got maximum marks, helped by the fact that it was a team exercise and Fraser had done it before

Then off to Stoney. Mal Bridgeman popped over to see me - knowing that we would be there today. he had read my posts and figured I was knackered - so had brought chocolate Thanks Mal XXXX

Down to business.

First dive was how to move an unconsious diver and how to lift and replace the breathing supply of a toxing diver. Fraser acted as casualty for Andy both times as he had done the skills before - he did a fine funky chicken impresssion as well It was amazing how the right technique made the lift and regulator placement easy for me as I had found that I couldn't reach round twin 12s on my rescue course - repositioning of myself on the casualty made it easy. It is unlikely that you will be able to save someone going through this but I am pleased to have an idea now of what to do to try to help. Like everything else on this course further practice will make it a more effective and reliable skill.

Then a quick change of cylinders and collecting of stages and we were off to the hydrobox for our first deep ascent. The first sign of trouble was when my right post bubbled... I shut it down and signaled Al who came back to see what was wrong. He established that the post was unfixable .We told Fraser that I no longer had a long hose to donate and carried on the dive.

A couple of minutes later we reached the bottom and Al went out of air. He could not come to me as I have lost my right post so went to Fraser - Andy ensured that this donation caused Fraser to lose his mask and there we were - one blind diver, one OOA.

I looked at Al and thumbed the dive, we used the minute scheduled for dealing with an emergency by clipping off lights and I turned Fraser's off so it wasn't a distraction. Then we started the ascent - I was calling deco, Al was driving Fraser - moving him towards 21 meters where we would be able to switch to the stages and get Al off Fraser's long hose. This took a little time as Al had to switch himself first whilst I assissted Fraser, then I switched and finally Al switched Fraser whilst I sent the bag up. We were behind time - but not seriously so.

The rest of the ascent was relatively uneventful (thankfully) and we hit the surface only a short time behind schedule. The most important thing being that had it been a real dive with a real deco obligation we would have survived the emergency.

The elation on reaching the surface in reasonably good order was dimed slightly be the realisation that we would have to do it all again.

Dive two was similar although this time Al lost his mask, Fraser went out of air but was on my long hose which brought us in tight together. Al had lost his right post on the descent so had no wing inflation which meant that starting the ascent proved a little difficult. He worked it out that he could start himself moving with his drysuit which worked well. The switch happened quicker on this dive as did the bag deployment - although we still ran slightly behind. Yet again the result was perhaps a little scrappy but we would have survived had it been for real...although I'm pretty sure that if I had two dives like that back to back in the real world I'd take it as a hint to take up golf.

We were pretty happy with what we did - unlike yesterday when we performed way below the level we are capable of. Today we demonstrated a pretty good picture of where we are as a team and to be honest you can't do any better than that on a course. We have all come on massively during the week and learnt loads and loads which will improve our diving from here on in.

So the verdict... we did OK today. There are things we can improve like team communication and other bits and bobs which we can work on together and individually. So we will do a few dives, get these things addressed and do a dive with Andy in a month or two to demonstrate that we have addressed the weaknesses. Then, as long as that goes OK, we get to do part two - a couple of experience dives in the sea with Andy to show how we dive together.

It is honestly that hardest thing I have ever done. Full stop.

It is also, I think, one of the most worthwhile.

I learned so much - but the most important thing I learned is that when I go diving I have two excellent buddies which I can rely on when the brown stuff hits the whirly thing - and we have the skills (albeit improveable) to ensure that we can do the most important thing of all - come home

We are all exhausted - and I include Andy Kerslake in this - 18 hour days are draining on student and instructor alike (although I think we alone had to put up with the head games )

Hope you have enjoyed the trip reports.... I fell asleep half way through writing yesterday's... and am running on adrenaline alone tonight.

Time to go to bed - I hope to wake up on Friday

[Spacehopper]

Well done Clare, Al and Fraser I heard someone say that Tech 1 course was hard you know

[P B]

Have a virtual green for the writeups, as I must spread rep round first.

Really enjoyed reading them.

Paul

[Davey Willo]

Clare, Al and Fraser... Well done guys, you're past the hardest bit now and its all down hill from here on in.. Clare your writeups have been great girl, scarily so in fact, thanks for them... A big up to Fraser cos the man knew from experience the world of pain he was about to enter and yet he went back for more.

You know there are times during Tech 1 where you could quite happily say with hand on heart that you hate Evil Kerslake, but theres a point where after you've surfaced, you realise that you've become a member of a unified and cohesive team that has handled all that can be thrown at it during a dive from hell, its then that you suddenly start to realise just what an awesome instructor the guy really is..

I'm looking forward to getting together so that you can fill me with stories of the extreme highs and lows of Tech 1 Part 1... only don't bring back too many memories as I've just started to sleep a full night without the sweats and the nightmares..

Once more guys well done. Awesome stuff.