Not a trip as such, but a journey of discovery!

[Kirstie]

On Saturday, I had my first day as a DM trainee. Anyone who knows me will know that, for the past two years, I've only dived with Turbanator. It's been good for me as I met him just after I passed my AOW, so I've learned such a lot from him. On the other hand, I've slipped into a 'comfort zone' where I know he'll look out for me, which has made me less aware as a diver. Plus, because I only ever dive with him, I have nobody to compare myself to in terms of how far I've progressed and therefore lack confidence in my own abilities. I've strongly resisted diving with anyone else for fear of making a fool of myself and, as a result, was very nervous about my first DM day.


Anyhoo. Saturday in Plymouth was lovely and sunny, and off we went to the Waterfront - me, Tony (another DM trainee), Steve the instructor, an OW day 1 guy, and two AOW navigation students. Once everyone had sorted their kit out, tasks were allocated. I was put with one of the AOW students (Georgina), told what drills she had to complete, and off we went. Entry was down some rather slippery stone steps, so I made sure she had her fins on and was happy, then jumped in first so I could watch her get in. Down we descended, into pretty awful viz, and I immediately lost sight of her. Great, what a way to start - lost the student already! I kept close to the marker buoy line and looked around to see if I could spot her yellow fins, checking the surface as well in case she was still up there. Not a sign, so I ascended (I was only in about 3.5m) and shouted to the shore marshall. He pointed to her bubbles which were right behind me, so down I went again and there she was.

I won’t go through all the navigation stuff, sufficient to say she was brilliant and had obviously been practising hard with her compass. She was spot on every time, in spite of the bad viz and a bit of a current. For me personally, it was an excellent experience. Having to look out for someone less experienced than me, warning her when I spotted fishing line, making sure she didn’t bang her head on some rocks when she was concentrating on her compass, and keeping the floaty buoy line away from her (although succeeding in getting it wrapped around my cylinder in the process) - all of it did me the world of good. The dive was all about her and her course, but I reckon I got just as much out of it as she did, in terms of invaluable experience.

Can’t wait for day two, and I won’t be so nervous next time.

[SoggyFox]

So the saga begins....................................

[Kirstie]

Originally Posted by SoggyFox

So the saga begins....................................

LOL, I promise not to post a blow-by-blow account of my course, I just feel so chuffed after Saturday that I had to tell all my friends about it

[mala]

sounds like you will make a fine dm.

good luck.

[SoggyFox]

Originally Posted by Kirstie

LOL, I promise not to post a blow-by-blow account of my course, I just feel so chuffed after Saturday that I had to tell all my friends about it

No, do!

[Buoyant Babe]

Well done bird

Told you it would be okay

Love Helen xxx

[uwila]

Well done - hopefully this will encourage others to extend their skills.

Do let us know how Day 2 goes

Cheers, Chris

[purple vonny]

Well done Kirstie! I didn't know you were heading down the DM route. Looking forward to the updates.

[Finless]

Originally Posted by mala

sounds like you will make a fine dm.

good luck.

What? Do you mean she's naturally bossy?

[Dangerous Dan]

Well done Kirsty. I was actually watching what must of being you and the trainee when I was down on the Hoe, It was a nice day for it at least.

How come you went in at the side steps instead of the ones right next to the Wet Wok?

Anyway well done

ATB,

Dan