Freelance Divemaster

 

The End of The Journey - PADI Divemaster

So I took a year too long to finish it from my initial planned time, but better late than never, as I have enjoyed the journey and training thoroughly.

Looking back, I would say this is a very much an independent course. I did not have any mentor nor did I have a fixed instructor to help me through the studies. I could go to anyone be it from within the dive centre itself or outside and that way, I am not limited to just an instructor. 

I have done a lot of self study, especially towards the end when I had to sit for the final exams, and the sectional exams. In fact, I had to take the more comprehensive ones (or the older set - I don't know) of 8 sections with 20 questions each, making it a total of 160 questions AS WELL AS the Final Exam A (2 parts of 60 questions each).

I did not have a 100% pass rate nor did I expect that, in fact I am surprised I did better than expected. For the Final Exam, I managed 118/20, or 59/60 each. 

For the waterskills and assessments, I rather did okay, scored ever slightly just above average throughout just enough to make the passing score. Still not perfect scoring but I was satisfied. 

So that kind of wrap up my dive training, and after which I would submit the application perhaps only next year due to now being the last quarter of the year already. 

Last but not least, I have also attained the Master Scuba Diver certification - which completes my recreational diving part..

Divemaster Trainee

Calling myself a PADI Divemaster trainee , since I have signed up for the course. 

The best part is there is no minimum or maximum time to complete it, but I aimed to finish it within this year, I will give myself 9 months before the diving season ends. 

Will officially began my training the first weekend after CNY. 

So wish me luck!

My ONE Minute of Fame on PADI Dive Stories Podcast; aired last year Oct 15

 Got my shot of a minute of fame on PADI Dive Stories Podcast, aired on 15 October 2021 to the world.

Listen in on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/episode/4d8vyV9r0DusM6LaedhY04?si=7jdRu6GqQWe70vU75awJKA

I miss diving in Bali. 

The best I have ever been!

Planned 2023 Dive Trips

It's only less than 90 days to go before 2023 kicks in, and this is the time to start planning for 2023 dive season, and all the more because finally the boyfie decides to join me underwater.. 

Divemaster training aside, which I am still divided whether or not I should go for that in 2023, I have 3 diving trips in plan already, and looking out to add 1 more.. 

Looking back, I did 3 dive trips this year - all 3 to Tioman, so for 2023, it could also be 3 trips or 4.. 

We will be spending a week traversing the southern Thailand islands and will eventually end up New Year's day in Phuket and planned for day of diving out there.. 

After that, we will head up to Redang for a couple of days by the beach, and one cannot let go of the opportunity to go diving! 

It's Redang hellllloooooo~~

And lastly, he has also signed up for Open Water course which means I will be tagging along with him to Tioman to dive! And while he do his course, I will be away diving.. 

Why Tioman again? 

Because there's plenty of dive sites there, and as it goes, the more you dive the same spot, the better you'll become, especially if they decided to go Labas - definitely a good choice if you have been through and under those huge rocks!

Can never get bored of Tioman la... and because I am such a regular at B&J, I know what to tell new divers what to expect :)

Wake up.

September has ended, so it's time to wake up!

With only 3 more months to the end of 2022, don't you think that time flies faster this year? Hmm.. And the more scary thing is, mid-life crisis is real bro, hitting 40s is no joke, but then again, despite age is catching up, I don't feel 40 (or soon-to-be-40).. 

With borders open, I will be heading off to celebrate the New Year overseas, and yep you guessed it, I'll be going diving!! WOOHOO.. 

Despite only booked for 1 day of diving as we will be moving from town to town, island to island, that will not stop me from bringing along my diving equipment because familiarity means comfort.. since dearie boy have not been to any of these coastal towns, it should be an eye-opener for him haha.. 

It's good to get back into the waters after a hectic 3Q of the year.. 

Pardon my lack of writing because I've been so busy lately with work.. being shorthanded at work means I am doing the work of a few people.. and with a WIP list that stretches back to April... 

Yah. I'm not kidding. 

PADI Wreck Diver course

Whether sunk on purpose as an artificial reef or the result of mishap, wrecks open fascinating windows to the past. Most divers find wrecked ships, airplanes and even automobiles nearly irresistible because they're intriguing to explore, exciting avenues of discovery, and usually teeming with aquatic life. 

The PADI Wreck Diver course teaches you the ins and outs of rewarding, responsible wreck diving.

The fun part of the PADI Wreck Diver course is visiting wrecks, unlocking mysteries and starting to gain the knowledge and experience that allows you to see things that others overlook. Sometimes, only the trained, experienced eye recognizes that a small hole or open door likely caused the vessel´s demise.

The not-so-fun part is the dangers of going inside wrecks. Hence trainings is very important here. 

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You will learn techniques for diving exploring shipwrecks, and how to avoid common hazards, how to research and learn the background of your favorite wrecks, wreck scuba diving equipment considerations, considerations and techniques for entering intact wrecks. 

The whole course involves planning, drawing sketches of the wreck, entering and exiting the wreck, how to pull reel line and retract it etc. 

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I did my Wreck Diver and Deep Diver trainings at KM Sipadan, Tioman Island in February 2022. 

The sinking of KM Sipadan in 2012

Penetrating KM Sipadan is from the stern where the opening is big, and passing through the hull before exiting at the front. It takes about 10 minutes to enter, navigate, pull the reel line to the front and then retract it and exit at the back. 

The hull itself is not really a straight line. Inside you pass through 2 door openings, navigate a right corridor before reaching the exit. 

 

We did 2 penetrations - the first time my instructor was in front laying the line and I followed suit. The second time we switched position and I was in front laying the line and he followed behind. 

I did have my moments inside the wreck when I was caught stuck at the 2nd door opening, something had me stuck and I had to wriggle and push my way through, kicking up a lot of silt and mud in the process, and dropping the visibility to zero. 

Once through and after calming down, I signalled to my instructor behind me that I am u-turning and began to roll the reel line back. 

Back on the boat, my instructor asked me what happened why was the visibility so bad suddenly. Then I told him what happened down there. 

My take-away:

• I like wreck a lot, so this is a natural for me. Going into wrecks are so exciting! 
• Do it with Deep Diver training and you can also go 30-something metres in the process.