Thursdaythe dreaded video review. Everyone expected the worst but we didnt look so bad in all honesty. I had a lot of problems with the backward kick and often found myself going upward instead of backwardok, ok, I actually managed no backward movement at all most of the time! After many questions and suggestions/encouragement from Gideon (and MORE stupid questions from Vie), we spent a long and very informative night going through the pre-dive sequence, dive planning (SADDDDD, gas management and rules, the concept of Rock Bottom and SAC, calculations, etc.), the Four Pillars of DIR and working/diving safely as a team.
Friday. I made a visit to Silent Explorer (111A Jalan Basar, Singapore 028831, tel: 65 6299-6800;
www.silentexplorer.com) and treated myself to a very nice (but seriously over priced) Halcyon Divers Notebook. I had never seen such vast quantities of the full range of Halcyon products assembled under one roof beforeit was quite a sight. I also had the chance to hear Silent Explorers Wai-Mun Leung talk about her DIR experiences diving the HMS Repulse. That evening, with bags packed and travel documents in orderwe and G, an Australian Tech 1 student (and a large group of recreational divers organized by Friendly Waters Seasports Services;
http://www.friendlywaters.com.sg/), boarded a bus and headed into Malaysia. The journey ended up being a fun filled adventure as we discovered that the driver did not know his way around that part of Malaysiawe later found out that he didnt know his way around Singapore either! We arrived at the docks very late at night (after almost driving into the sea by mistake) and boarded a boat headed for Divers Lodge, Pulau Aur (
http://www.friendlywaters.com.sg/resort.html). We finally landed in the early hours of Saturday.
Saturday. After a nice breakfast, Gideon went over what we had to do and what he expected from us. The first dive was to familiarise us with the Basic 5, and controlled descent and ascent/deco
as a team. Gideon also stressed that we must have good communication and situational awareness at all times (and this will be brought up again and again). We were then divided into the same two teams. Well into the dive and nicely holding station whilst maintaining my buoyancy and trim, I felt a bump on my left knee. I thought I had brushed up against some coral but a quick look showed that I was floating
above the coral patch. A few bumps later and it turned out that my knee was the focus of an intense and determined attack by a small mauve fish (some kind of anthias?). We continued to practice the Basic 5 and try to improve our kicks. It was obvious after the first dive that our teamwork (and my backward kick) needed a lot of work!
Second dive. S-drills and valve-drills were thrown into the mix. The current had picked up and pandemonium ensued during the first few S-drills. I lost my trim and was caught on video using my left hand as propulsion. I also had trouble reaching my valve and later the video showed that I had my head down which aggravated the problem. Gideon also pointed out that my Apeks DIN to yoke adaptor might be getting in the way. The team ascent/deco/awareness was also very problematic. It was obvious that the talented young women of the other team were kicking our butts. I also got in some practice deploying and using my Scout lights.
Dive threeMajor improvements in all areas. L and I went through a nice S-drill watched by a cautious but curious bumphead parrotfish (
Bulbometopon mericatum). Unfortunately, Ls primary was a Dacor Viper (side exhaust) second stage and I felt very uncomfortable breathing off of itit breathed quite wet (worse than the Oceanic Omega 3 I had used during my OW certification dives years ago) and always felt like it was about to fall out of my mouth.
The last dive of the day ended and we watched the video before a nice barbecued dinner (later, it was nice to see that, even though he ate and drank very moderately, our instructor was not a teetotaling vegan). We had all improved greatly but there was much work to be done in all areas and Gideon gave everyone helpful advice and suggestions. We all got to know each other better during dinner and Gideon told us about his journey from a PADI/SSI instructor to technical diving with TDI and eventually how he found GUE and became tech and cave certified as well as a GUE instructor. Gideon also explained to me his take on the grades fail, provisional and pass as they apply to DIR-F. He then told us about his upcoming trip to dive a vertical wreck near Beirut. I also had an interesting discussion with Raymond about rebreathers (I have had limited experience with the Dräger Dolphin SCR) and the Halcyon approach (rule #5, the RB80 etc.). G and Gideon joined in and we talked about military rebreathers such as the LAR V and the use of very high PPO2.
Sundayone of the boat engine was broken and we have a (twice as) long journey ahead to reach the mainland. We got up to a very early start as we had to leave earlier than originally scheduled. We practiced shooting the baganother skill I have been dreadingand I actually found it very easy. We used a small Halcyon CC SMB. After each person has successfully shot and retrieved the SMB, we were all given the chance to use a Dive Xtras (standard body) X-Scooter (
http://www.dive-xtras.com/index2.html) and put the crotch strap D-ring to use, watched by Raymond and G. It was an awesome experience. We then went over the skills and drills again and again (piling on the task loading) and ended with three S-drill ascent/deco (OOA horizontal ascents) per teamthe last ascent had me donating my long hose to L AND calling stops/deco.
After the last dive, we packed our gear, showered and departed Pulau Aur. We watched the video on the boat and Gideon told us what we needed to work on and answered questions. He then spoke to us individually and I was very happy to be told that I had passed DIR-F, first time. After an incredibly long journey (where we managed to catch up on some well earned sleep), we got on the bus and headed back to Singapore. We reached Living Seas in the evening and went our separate waysnagonoj and I made plans to continue diving and practicing together after we get back to Thailand.
Monday. I joined G and Gideon for coffee. Gideon was leaving the next day for Pulau Tioman where G and Raymond will go through Tech 1. Gideon explained to me what the Rec TriOx and Tech 1 classes involved and I promised him that I will work with nagonoj to improve our skills/techniques. We went over the many things that I will need to work on to improve my own diving. G also told me about his technical diving experiences and encouraged me to work towards progressing to Tech 1. Later, Raymond showed me his Barry Miller designed Salvo canister light. This started a conversation about alternatives to the big H and we discussed products offered by OxyCheq and DIR Zone.
Having experienced DIR-F and the DIR approach to diving safely as a team, I can confidently say that my enthusiasm for diving has increased (which I didnt think was possible) and I hope to return to Singapore soon to participate in a TriOx class (Gideon told me that he felt I was ready for Tech 1 but it would benefit me to go through Rec TriOx to familiarise myself with diving doubles, using a canister light, gas theory etc., as well as get more DIR dives under my belt). I certainly hope that I will have more opportunities to dive with all the wonderful people that I met during Fundies again soonwe certainly had a lot of fun.
