The Antarctic Chef's Blog: Scuba Diving My Recreation

Scuba Diving My Recreation

I first started to dive on the QE2 back in 1982, the only reason i wanted to learn, was because the dive club had full use of the passenger swimming pools. However it was back then the British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC). Although i did get to go in the pool, the training was such that it took about 6 months before you even got to breath through a regulator.

It was a few years later When I eventually took it up again. But this time it was with PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors). It was with a Company called Dive In that i took my Open water certification in 1997. I was hooked and from there went on to take my Advanced open water certification.

The course Director, Vini Howlett, who I have now known for nearly 14 years and is a very good friend, got me through my speciality courses, which included: Peak performance Buoyancy, Speciality Night Diver, Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox), Dry Suit Diver, Equipment Specialist, Deep Diver, Boat Diver and Oxygen first aid. I went on to take The Rescue Diver course and passed. After a few years away from the training and a fair bit of diving. Vini set up his own Dive School, Called Aquasport. info@aquasportonline.com I signed up to do my Dive Master course and passed in 2008.

My two Daughters Jessica and Gemma also took their open water course and passed. Which means they can now dive with me on holidays.

A couple of my qualifications

A few Random Dive Pictures

The Lake we dive and train in. Dosthill Quarry Tamworth.

Before we get into our kit, a briefing and buddy up.

Ok guys, get kitted up..

Jessica

Gemma

Jess Buddy checks Gem.

Gem Buddy checks Jess.

Off to the waters edge. "Sit down girls"

Ready to get wet?

Last one in Gem!

Once in, get with your buddy.

This how to do it Gemma.

Ok Gem, your with Jess. Now swim out together to the Buoy.

Stop Talking and tow your sister.

All we could hear from the lake was Jess and Gem, giggling and talking....lol!

After a tour swim and a few underwater skills Gemma surfaced.

Followed by Jess.

Back on dry land. They loved it and both passed their open water exam.

well done girls!

Antibes South France

Jessica in the Mediterranean, good buoyancy this was a good dive.

Jess laughing at me..

we were 18 metres here.

Gemma snorkelling in Antibes.

my little mermaid...gorgeous.

I'm forever blowing bubbles..

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water!!

Gemma!

The Red Sea Sharm in Egypt

he Hotel we stayed in, There was 12 of us all from Aquasport. Paul and buddies discussing the days diving.

Boats in top pic all lined up with divers raring to go. The bottom pic is our boat loading cylinders.

The journey out to dive the Thistlegorm, a famous wreck in the red sea.

A briefing with Alex, our guide for the week.

Check the kit and get it on. Let's get wet!

Alex drops in to test the current, before we go in.

Ok, our turn.

Time to review and look at the pictures taken, and a spot of lunch.

Relax and enjoy the trip back..

Portland Bill Weymouth

A beautiful day in Weymouth, looks like a good start to a weekend of diving.

Even the Kite surfers are out in force.

I checked into the hotel on the friday evening and met Vini and the rest of the crew in the bar. And that is were the problem lies. I had a really good evening. "too good"!!

I went to bed a little worse for wear. In the morning I went down for breakfast, still hanging from the night before. I ate breakfast and we went to the meeting point, were a cup of tea and a walk in the fresh sea air was very welcome. Although I had difficulty seeing in colour. Boy, I felt rough!!

I got into my dry suit, collected my Nitrox cylinder from Vini and walked tentatively towards the rib.

We set off on a 45 minute Rib ride to the site of the M2, which is a Submarine that was sunk during the war. This Sub is located at 32 metres. I made the journey without throwing up. I rolled off the side of the boat and started bobbing like a cork in rapids. I still did not throw up, "No" I waited until I was at 30 Metres, with my buddy 26 minutes into the dive. "THEN" I threw up, into my regulator and blocked it. Not being able to breath is not pleasant when being sick, especially underwater, I grabbed for my octopus (Spare Regulator) started to breath, signalled my buddy to surface and started the ascent. Bearing in mind we needed a safety stop at 5 Metres for 3 minutes. This was the longest 3 minutes of my life... I was underweighted, which meant i kept floating up. My buddy had to keep pulling me down and holding me at 5 metres, I was upside down for the most part.. We eventually surfaced and got back into the boat, but then had to stay bobbing on the surface until the other divers came up, then it was another 45 mins back to base..... The following pictures are of me coming back in on the rib. No words are needed.....The moral of the story is; "Never drink and Dive"

"NEVER AGAIN"!