I am back to the underwater blog world!
Last week I went to Dayang Island, Malaysia for scuba diving. This trip was organized and sponsored (partially) by our company sports club. I took this opportunity to take up Advanced Open Water Diver Course because I have wanted to do it. This will allow me to dive in deeper water because some shipwreck lies at 60ft/18m deep or deeper. I have plans to go back to Latin America like Rio de Janeiro or Havana, Cuba for holiday. I might want to dive in Havana.
Besides, I want to overcome my fear of night diving. Night dive is an optional skill in Advanced Open Water Diver Course. However, I selected this subject as part of the course.
We have to choose a minimum of 6 subjects to complete the course. Namely, Deep Diving, Underwater Navigation, Night Diving, Drift Diving, Peak Performance Buoyancy and Boat Diving.
It was a hell trip. I almost gave up.
I could not sleep on the bus during the journey to Malaysia. Then we have to take a four hours boat ride to Dayang Island. It was a small boat, not the Queen Mary Cruise whereby you could sleep comfortably on the boat. I could not even have enough leg-room. It was almost 4.30a.m. when we reached Dayang Island. Some of the divers were so energetic. They did not sleep. Some even go for dawn diving straight away!
*** SALUTE*****
First few dives were hell. I could not equalize properly. This could due to lack of sleep. I almost gave up when my nose was bleeding underwater.
Oh yeah, Night Diving!
As the sun set, I rigged up my dive gear, slipped on my scuba mask, bitten my regulator, a deep breath and I stepped off the boat with giant strike entry into the underwater night. This time I dropped into a whole new world and watched it come to life under the glow of my dive light!
It was not scary at all! In fact it was awesome to see the plankton glow in the dark when I switched off the light! Oh Mama mia! You have to experience it yourself.
I have to perform night dive navigation. It was not funny and easy at all but I guess this is a skill that we must acquire for our own good. It was dark and the current were strong. I could only trust the compass and my best buddy, Yew Kuang.
………Night diving is FUN!
We went for deep diving on the next morning. 100ft/ 30m underwater.
Deep diving obviously has more consequences and dangers than basic open water diving. Eg, Nitrogen narcosis. However, It will be alright if we take precautious and follow the safety measures set up by PADI. You will see different marine features as you dive deeper in the underwater world.
I am now a certified Advanced Open Water Diver. I might consider taking up Rescue Diver Course after a few more dives.
Don’t tell Mom that I scuba diving…..Shhhh……….
Ivory n Gold
Singapore
Ivory n Gold
Singapore
*** perform some skills 100ft/ 30m underwater****
