Volunteer Diving at The National Aquarium in Baltimore

[Whalebone]

Well scuba boarders.... What did you think of the in water skills test?? Was that fun or what?

It was a lot of fun, actually. The most challenging part was definitely the tunnel/chimney test. It really takes a keen awareness of where you are in relation to the sides and top. Got snagged a couple times and it might have cost me my score.

Having dived at NAIB I can see how important that is, though. There are some tight spaces.


Oh well, just have to wait and see.

jn

 

[cdreamer]

The chimney was the hardest skill for me, I touched a few times but at least I
didn't wreck it or have to be rescued from it. LOL. It was fun - kinda like scuba olympics.
Has anyone ever had to be rescued from the chimney obstacle? I'm sure
you guys have seen it all. I tried my best but I know I made a few mistakes.
If I don't make it this time, I will try again.

 

[Hoyden]

The chimney was the hardest skill for me, I touched a few times but at least I
didn't wreck it or have to be rescued from it. LOL. It was fun - kinda like scuba olympics.
Has anyone ever had to be rescued from the chimney obstacle? I'm sure
you guys have seen it all. I tried my best but I know I made a few mistakes.
If I don't make it this time, I will try again.

No one has had to be "rescued" from the chiminey (at least since I've been helping with the test). We have occasionally had to give someone a hand getting unstuck when they couldn't figure out what they were hung up by. Both of the other in-water evaluators for the obstacle course have been doing it a lot longer that I have and both have posted to this thread so perhaps they will comment on this. I will say that the group we had yesterday was overall one of the best (at least on the obstacle course) that I have seen in the 5 or 6 times that I have helped with it.

Jackie

 

[poe26bcfd]

Mike,

I got to (briefly) meet Jackie (in the water) today, but I missed you. (Not that hard considering how many of you volunteers there were crawling all over that place.)

The part I liked least was the interview....not because I was uncomfortable with it, but because they're trying to get a read on some very subjective, intangible factors.

I did enjoy the rest, though. I was very glad to have gotten the advice to use a weight belt. I suspect pushing my BCD through the barrel without it would have been a real challenge.

Actually, the part that was really the worst was lugging my equipment (including weights and tank) from the parking lot across the street.

It'll be tough waiting to get the result.

Thanks to you and Jackie for the advice.

Regards,

Ron

Ron,
I was one of the other evaluators with Jackie at the everyones favorite station .

 

[poe26bcfd]

No one has had to be "rescued" from the chiminey (at least since I've been helping with the test). We have occasionally had to give someone a hand getting unstuck when they couldn't figure out what they were hung up by. Both of the other in-water evaluators for the obstacle course have been doing it a lot longer that I have and both have posted to this thread so perhaps they will comment on this. I will say that the group we had yesterday was overall one of the best (at least on the obstacle course) that I have seen in the 5 or 6 times that I have helped with it.

Jackie

I would agree with Jackie this is the strongest group I've seen in quite a while. I have never had to rescue anyone form the the chiminey but we have had some interesting moments with the barrel and we did have one guy go through the entire inwater test and get to the course decend look at it and quit.

 

[NAIBdiver1]

I was the third evaluator that you got to meet at that test. I agree - that was one of the best group of diver to come through.

No, never had to rescue a diver. People have given up however, but I think it was more mental than skills.

One of the NAIB divers that was there as a guide and who had taken the test last year, looked at the barrel (out of water) and was surprised that it was a lot bigger than she remembered when she saw before her in the water.

Congratulations to you all and thank you for coming.

Oh - (true story) - one person (now a NAIB Diver) I saw at that test 5 times. He never gave up - wow ! The fifth time - he did score high enough and passed. The reason he failed (and he'll be happy to tell you) was nerves. He has all the diving skills one needs - he just went to pieces. On the fifth attempt, he had a really good guide that helped encourage him. So, should it have happened that you were not chosen this time - please, I'd like to encourage you, to come again. We would be very happy to see you again !!!!

NAIBDiver1

 

[Ron G.]

Well, I got my rejection letter today. Frankly, it was a surprise and a disappointment.

I know, I can always try again next time....but that's not likely.

I'm curious where I fell down, but it is what it is.

In any case, I'm off early tomorrow morning for a Nekton liveaboard trip (St. Croix), so I don't have much time to dwell on this.

Best of luck to everyone else that tried out. And, I do appreciate the advice given by those here.

Ron

 

[cdreamer]

I made it!! Thank you to everyone for the great advice!
I really received alot of support and encouragement through
this thread and through private messages and for that I
am truly greatful. Looking forward to getting started.

 

[markkelsey]

Congrates!!! I'm glad you made it. I hope to be able to take the test the next time. I'm diving their in March with the DiveNY group. Maybe I'll see you.

 

[NAIBdiver1]

Congratulations Terri and see we didn'tneed to rescue from the habitat !

Have fun with the orientation classes and I hope you enjoy yourself with which ever team you are placed with !

NAIBDiver1