Grumble, grumble, grumble....
For days now the man flu has been here... Remnants still remain with a crappy chesty cough... which until it goes, I cannot dive..
UK work is driving me insane..... definately all work and no play making me a very dull (or crabby) boy.
On top of my mood, some bad weather has arrived... wet, miserable and windy... (sounds like England).
Jenny is having a ball with her Irish 5, and finishes today...
Thats it for now... better get on with work!
x
p.s. Hope you are feeling better Pops!
Friday 29 July 2011
Thursday 28 July 2011
28th July 2011
Not a very interesting past few days...
I have had Man Flu.... one of the most debilitating illnesses a guy can get.. Obviously, male readers will understand the toll this takes on you and women... well they never understand :-)
So, while I have generally been laying on a couch moaning and groaning, I have been working on UK work... like CRAZY!!!
Jen in the meantime has hardly been out of the water, taking mutiple Discover Scuba Divers, and today starting another 5 person (all Irish) Open Water Course... She is becoming a little star!
In other news, there is a 600 tonne crane and boat sitting just offshore.... They are involved in an operation to move the HMS Sattakut wreck to the original position that it should have been sunk last month, and to place it upright. A huge job, and I hope that all goes well... more details soon..
I have had Man Flu.... one of the most debilitating illnesses a guy can get.. Obviously, male readers will understand the toll this takes on you and women... well they never understand :-)
So, while I have generally been laying on a couch moaning and groaning, I have been working on UK work... like CRAZY!!!
Jen in the meantime has hardly been out of the water, taking mutiple Discover Scuba Divers, and today starting another 5 person (all Irish) Open Water Course... She is becoming a little star!
In other news, there is a 600 tonne crane and boat sitting just offshore.... They are involved in an operation to move the HMS Sattakut wreck to the original position that it should have been sunk last month, and to place it upright. A huge job, and I hope that all goes well... more details soon..
Sunday 24 July 2011
23rd July 2011
Apologies for the lack of posts everyone, it’s been so very hectic here on the island. It’s Full Moon party season and July has been the busiest month yet. In one day Crystal had a record breaking number of check-in’s which beat the whole of June. It’s been mental to say the least and next month it’s supposed to get busier. I’ve been told that in previous years, people have slept in classrooms, tents and even instructors homes, it’s been that bad.
The Full moon beach party is held on Koh Phangan , thousands of backpackers, youngsters go (now I'm sounding old) and get absolutely plastered ...and turn up on Koh Tao a couple of days later to learn how to dive. As you can imagine, day 1 academics with half unconscious students is a real delight ;-D
Luckily for me, just before the Full Moon rush, 17-20th I got a 3 person Open Water course. An Indian couple, Samket & Jumara and Sophie who came from Belgium. I say luckily due to the fact that I’d hadn’t taught for a short period and had got rather used to being lazy and sleeping in ;-D
So when the influx of full mooners started to arrive I was on the afternoon boat for dives 1 & 2. The next day I met my students for the final exam, took them to the Regal pool to do their swim test and float before heading out on the afternoon boat for dives 3 & 4 .
In the meantime, Si had started an Open Water course for 12 people which the next day we split into 2. This was going to be our first big group. The confined pool session went pretty well after we finally managed to scrape together all the kit we needed. Si briefed all 12 and then we split the group into two to demonstrate.
Surface skills had to be completed in the sea as the pool was crowded with all the other groups that had jumped in. There was only one problem... One of the girls freaked out with only a couple of skills to complete and asked to leave so we sent her on her way and told her we’d meet tomorrow morning at 8am if she wanted to jump back in pool. Nearly 7 hours later, including the odd toilet break we’d finally finished.
What a day!! We were so looking forward to going home to have a hot shower, getting food and then bed but then remembered it was ‘Eco Movie night’ ARGHHHH!!!! 2 Open Water movies, an episode of Whale Wars and a takeaway pizza, we finally went home and passed out with exhaustion.
Surface skills had to be completed in the sea as the pool was crowded with all the other groups that had jumped in. There was only one problem... One of the girls freaked out with only a couple of skills to complete and asked to leave so we sent her on her way and told her we’d meet tomorrow morning at 8am if she wanted to jump back in pool. Nearly 7 hours later, including the odd toilet break we’d finally finished.
What a day!! We were so looking forward to going home to have a hot shower, getting food and then bed but then remembered it was ‘Eco Movie night’ ARGHHHH!!!! 2 Open Water movies, an episode of Whale Wars and a takeaway pizza, we finally went home and passed out with exhaustion.
The next day we headed down to Crystal and met Siobhan, who bravely said she’d like to give the pool another go. Skills completed an hour or so later, with ease I might say, she still felt uneasy about the whole diving thing. So after chatting and convincing her to do the exam, she can leave with a referral stating that all aca and confined skills has been completed which leaves just the open water dives 1-4 which can be done anywhere. It’s really disappointing when someone drops out like that but she should be proud of herself.
Dives 1 and 2 went really well. A few teething problems with weighting, one girl being super buoyant and one of Simons guys not being able to descend further than 4 meters, the groups were brilliant, good buoyancy, excellent positioning and even the ascents were very well controlled. Pretty unusual for peoples first dives.
Expecting to be going out on the morning boat for their final couple of dives plans changed and we were on the afternoon boat for diving and Si and I, in the morning, would be on the surface cover duties on Crystal 1 & 2 ..JOY!!! We woke the next morning feeling oh so tired. Of all days, it was windy and the sky was as grey as you like, on reaching Crystal, the wind had picked up and the sea was very choppy.
I was on Crystal 1, the smallest of the boats with 22 odd school kids, the wind and waves got so bad that dive sites changed to sheltered ones which made total sense and we had to travel to the dive site on Crystal 3 (big boat) and then transfer across to Crystal 1 ..so I felt much better about that but still, it was a very choppy journey. Simons morning wasn’t brilliant, not only did he have to be surface cover but he was trying to check, find and pack 11 bags of equipment for our afternoon dives which was nightmare.
Getting the equipment during this busy period is a nightmare. So many students and courses going on that the kit room is bare. When boats come back and divers/students go to wash their kit, you’re grabbing it from them before they even have a chance to wash it ..people scrambling for the right size fins, BCDs etc.
I was on Crystal 1, the smallest of the boats with 22 odd school kids, the wind and waves got so bad that dive sites changed to sheltered ones which made total sense and we had to travel to the dive site on Crystal 3 (big boat) and then transfer across to Crystal 1 ..so I felt much better about that but still, it was a very choppy journey. Simons morning wasn’t brilliant, not only did he have to be surface cover but he was trying to check, find and pack 11 bags of equipment for our afternoon dives which was nightmare.
Getting the equipment during this busy period is a nightmare. So many students and courses going on that the kit room is bare. When boats come back and divers/students go to wash their kit, you’re grabbing it from them before they even have a chance to wash it ..people scrambling for the right size fins, BCDs etc.
Back from the mornings surface cover I met Simon who was dashing around, we had to get our students together for their video’s opening shots and then get everyone down on the boat ASAP so that they could check bags for their equipment and then find any missing fins, w/suits etc back at Crystal..
Heading out for the afternoon dives, and yet again the weather kicked in... massive waves, wind and rain forced everybody downstairs, where we conducted our briefings and jumped in at the dive site... All the divers coped very well with the conditions which were far from ideal... Second dive, we had to wait for tanks to be delivered from the dive school by speedboat as there were not enough tanks.!
After the dives, we returned to dock at 6:30pm, filled in log books and certification paperwork, and hung around the school till our video was on which was past 10pm... After this we retired home, both collapsing into bed for some well earned sleep!
Heading out for the afternoon dives, and yet again the weather kicked in... massive waves, wind and rain forced everybody downstairs, where we conducted our briefings and jumped in at the dive site... All the divers coped very well with the conditions which were far from ideal... Second dive, we had to wait for tanks to be delivered from the dive school by speedboat as there were not enough tanks.!
After the dives, we returned to dock at 6:30pm, filled in log books and certification paperwork, and hung around the school till our video was on which was past 10pm... After this we retired home, both collapsing into bed for some well earned sleep!
Wednesday 20 July 2011
21st July 2011
Crazzy Crazy Crazy.... It seems half the Irish Population has arrived on Koh Tao. That means we have been given 12 people (not all irish) to teach..!!!
Jen and I are doing it together, and as soon as a spare minute is available, then I shall update the blog.
x
SD
Jen and I are doing it together, and as soon as a spare minute is available, then I shall update the blog.
x
SD
Sunday 17 July 2011
16th-17th July 2011
Yesterday Jen started Surface Cover (responsible for roll calls, weight, regulators etc). She got up at 6am and headed to the boat. This was her first proper time doing this on her own.
She let me sleep in, and I woke up about 7.30am and continued my outstanding UK work.
In the meantime, Jen was having a baptism of fire. The sea was quite rough, and during the start of the 2nd dive, there was problem with one of the groups. As an instructor descended, one of the students popped up on the surface and started swimming back to the boat. Another instructor on board, saw what he thought was froth coming out of the diver's mouth and shouted to start emergency procedures.Preparing emergency oxygen and phoning the dive school to report a possible diver evacuation is not a common thing... I can't imagine how nervous Jen was feeling.
Eventually, the diver was at the boat, and the realisation that the diver had been sick due to sea sickness was a great relief. Getting the diver aboard was a bit of an effort, but the boat boys helped out and Jen phoned the school back to cancel the emergency...
Returning at midday, Jen started a 3 person Open Water Course. Academics for a few hours, and then we returned home for a long sleep...
Today, she has been in the pool most of the day, with the 3 students, teaching them the basics of Scuba, before they hit the ocean tomorrow.
She let me sleep in, and I woke up about 7.30am and continued my outstanding UK work.
In the meantime, Jen was having a baptism of fire. The sea was quite rough, and during the start of the 2nd dive, there was problem with one of the groups. As an instructor descended, one of the students popped up on the surface and started swimming back to the boat. Another instructor on board, saw what he thought was froth coming out of the diver's mouth and shouted to start emergency procedures.Preparing emergency oxygen and phoning the dive school to report a possible diver evacuation is not a common thing... I can't imagine how nervous Jen was feeling.
Eventually, the diver was at the boat, and the realisation that the diver had been sick due to sea sickness was a great relief. Getting the diver aboard was a bit of an effort, but the boat boys helped out and Jen phoned the school back to cancel the emergency...
Returning at midday, Jen started a 3 person Open Water Course. Academics for a few hours, and then we returned home for a long sleep...
Today, she has been in the pool most of the day, with the 3 students, teaching them the basics of Scuba, before they hit the ocean tomorrow.
Friday 15 July 2011
13-15 July 2011
Not a great deal to report from the last few days.
Simons been very busy with UK work which has suddenly exploded. He's constantly doing something or other and the internet connection lately has been hideously slow or not even working which makes it very frustrating.
My cough is much better and I think with all the sleep I've had in the last couple of days has really helped. It still surprises Simon the amount of time I can spend sleeping. I, myself, blame it on my thyroid, it's slightly underactive and the medication I'm taking at the moment isnt quite enough to balance everything out ;-D Thats my excuse anyway LOL ...Simons ears are improving slowly, his vinegar and oil mix home concoction seems to pretty effective
So aside from work, watching films etc, we've ventured down to Crystal to watch the Open Water videos and also for Eco Movie Night. Last time on Koh Tao, we started playing Eco films, series etc on Wednesday nights and have continued with it this time and its a big hit, especially with the new series of WhaleWars. It's so intense!!
Last night was a snorkel test/IE party for newly qualified Dive Masters and Instructors at 'Vibe' The usual drinking of buckets and playing stupid games was quite entertaining. I'm sure they'll be a few with sore heads today...
Simons been very busy with UK work which has suddenly exploded. He's constantly doing something or other and the internet connection lately has been hideously slow or not even working which makes it very frustrating.
My cough is much better and I think with all the sleep I've had in the last couple of days has really helped. It still surprises Simon the amount of time I can spend sleeping. I, myself, blame it on my thyroid, it's slightly underactive and the medication I'm taking at the moment isnt quite enough to balance everything out ;-D Thats my excuse anyway LOL ...Simons ears are improving slowly, his vinegar and oil mix home concoction seems to pretty effective
So aside from work, watching films etc, we've ventured down to Crystal to watch the Open Water videos and also for Eco Movie Night. Last time on Koh Tao, we started playing Eco films, series etc on Wednesday nights and have continued with it this time and its a big hit, especially with the new series of WhaleWars. It's so intense!!
Last night was a snorkel test/IE party for newly qualified Dive Masters and Instructors at 'Vibe' The usual drinking of buckets and playing stupid games was quite entertaining. I'm sure they'll be a few with sore heads today...
Tuesday 12 July 2011
12th July 2011
Today was a bits and bobs kinda day... small tasks to do here there and everywhere.
In the morning, we were scheduled to do 2 x Discover Scuba Diving (1 day taster dive).
So we woke up early, came into the dive school... then hung around till 9.30am and no one showed up. Rather annoying! Anyway, we watched the opening ceremony for the local school "Sports Day" which was starting on the beach.
After that, it seemed a good idea to have breakfast and chat with Nath for a hour or so. Then to Deep Down Productions, where I sat doing some UK work in their air con office... nice. Jen in the meantime, went for a massage.. She has a sore neck from coughing so much... bless.
After UK work and massage, we headed back to Crystal to confirm that the students never showed. We arranged to meet Carsten at 3pm for a chat, and returned home for yet more... UK work while Jen caught up with Eastenders.
The rain came in, and we dozed for an hour, missing our chat with Carsten. Eventually, it was time to go to "Clothes Swap". Its held once a week at Vibe, and Jen goes and swaps clothes will other women... all very odd, and I just play on my phone while it happens..!
Successfully swapped, we stayed for a couple of beers and headed home... watching "Source Code" that evening. Good film.!
xxx
SD
In the morning, we were scheduled to do 2 x Discover Scuba Diving (1 day taster dive).
So we woke up early, came into the dive school... then hung around till 9.30am and no one showed up. Rather annoying! Anyway, we watched the opening ceremony for the local school "Sports Day" which was starting on the beach.
After that, it seemed a good idea to have breakfast and chat with Nath for a hour or so. Then to Deep Down Productions, where I sat doing some UK work in their air con office... nice. Jen in the meantime, went for a massage.. She has a sore neck from coughing so much... bless.
After UK work and massage, we headed back to Crystal to confirm that the students never showed. We arranged to meet Carsten at 3pm for a chat, and returned home for yet more... UK work while Jen caught up with Eastenders.
The rain came in, and we dozed for an hour, missing our chat with Carsten. Eventually, it was time to go to "Clothes Swap". Its held once a week at Vibe, and Jen goes and swaps clothes will other women... all very odd, and I just play on my phone while it happens..!
Successfully swapped, we stayed for a couple of beers and headed home... watching "Source Code" that evening. Good film.!
xxx
SD
11th July 2011
Today, I attempted to dive for the 1st time since the Rescue Course. Taking camera in hand to have some fun, I put on the retard mask and entered the water.
The descent was a tad "sensitive" but workable. And I managed a couple of hour long dives... Although my ears were throbbing a bit after, I shall see how they are tomorrow...
Apart from that, Jen is still suffering with a chesty cough... which is slowly getting better, and I am still manic with UK jobs.
Add to that, the island is about to hit one of its busiest seasons... in a few days... it will be crazy ... full of people wanting to learn how to dive.
Not much to say really... I shall start taking some random pictures, just so you don't have a boring post thats just text.. (like the last few)..
xx
SD
The descent was a tad "sensitive" but workable. And I managed a couple of hour long dives... Although my ears were throbbing a bit after, I shall see how they are tomorrow...
Apart from that, Jen is still suffering with a chesty cough... which is slowly getting better, and I am still manic with UK jobs.
Add to that, the island is about to hit one of its busiest seasons... in a few days... it will be crazy ... full of people wanting to learn how to dive.
Not much to say really... I shall start taking some random pictures, just so you don't have a boring post thats just text.. (like the last few)..
xx
SD
Friday 8 July 2011
8th July 2011
A slow start to the day for me yet again. I'm recovering from a chesty cold and seem to be sleeping far too much whilst Si's been very busy with his UK work and is still suffering with his ears.
This afternoon we did venture out to Deep Down, where Si went off, camera in hand with James to film some shots for the new Crystal/Deep Down intro whilst I entered some Coral Watch data for Nathan and then took a strole to Regal pool for a quick swim and lie in the sun. I didnt do much swimming as the pool was packed. After and hour or so, I dried off and took a leisurely strole back along the beach to Crystal.
By the time I reached Crystal, they'd just about finished filming, so perfect timing on my behalf. After grabbing a well needed drink, we all headed back to Deep Down to review some of the footage. There's still quite a bit to shoot but they're making good progress and it should be very entertaining ;-D
On route home we stopped at the grocers to pick up some supplies, as tonight, Si's cooking one of his fabulous chili's. I'll be preparing the onions, garlic and mushrooms and then I'll hand over to Simon ;-D
This afternoon we did venture out to Deep Down, where Si went off, camera in hand with James to film some shots for the new Crystal/Deep Down intro whilst I entered some Coral Watch data for Nathan and then took a strole to Regal pool for a quick swim and lie in the sun. I didnt do much swimming as the pool was packed. After and hour or so, I dried off and took a leisurely strole back along the beach to Crystal.
By the time I reached Crystal, they'd just about finished filming, so perfect timing on my behalf. After grabbing a well needed drink, we all headed back to Deep Down to review some of the footage. There's still quite a bit to shoot but they're making good progress and it should be very entertaining ;-D
On route home we stopped at the grocers to pick up some supplies, as tonight, Si's cooking one of his fabulous chili's. I'll be preparing the onions, garlic and mushrooms and then I'll hand over to Simon ;-D
Thursday 7 July 2011
7th July 2011
Nothing to report I am afraid.
Mega busy with UK projects, and my ears are sore as hell after the Rescue course, so until the pain subsides, I shall remain out of the water.
No real news to speak of, I have hardly been out of the apartment for the last few days....
Sorry :-(
x
SD
Mega busy with UK projects, and my ears are sore as hell after the Rescue course, so until the pain subsides, I shall remain out of the water.
No real news to speak of, I have hardly been out of the apartment for the last few days....
Sorry :-(
x
SD
Sunday 3 July 2011
3rd July 2011 - The last few days...
Hectic... Thats the best description for the last few days.
UK wise, I have been working on several titles at the same time, including a new one for BSAC (British Diving Club)... which is cool..
Here, Jenny was conducting a 1 person Open Water Course with a Japanese student. Jen thought that the student was very attentive and Jen was very impressed with her diving.
Me, apart from the UK work, I was teaching a 6 person Rescue Course with another instructor named Tina. This is a challenging 3 day course that teaches them all the skills required if they ever were unfortunate enough to be involved in a diver rescue.
To say it is challenging for the students is true, but for us instructors... it is even more challenging. On the last day, in 1 afternoon, Tina (whose was good cop) and I (who was bad cop) registered 7 dives each, with no safety stops, as we had to perform 6 student rescues from the ocean floor and then 4 Divemaster trainees rescue assessments.
The rescue assessment involves the students or the divemasters recovering a diver from the bottom, and bringing them up inflating their BCD. This is a very dangerous procedure if not done correctly. In training the day before, one of the students did not do what he was briefed and I had to intervene to stop a very serious situation. It took a lot of effort to stop a completely out of control diver shooting to the surface, and I lost my temper with the student while underwater. Anyway, on this final day, every student and divemaster completed a satisfactory recovery from the bottom.
After the recovery from the bottom, they then have to do rescue breaths while dragging the unresponsive diver back to the boat, removing all scuba equipment, and then get them up the back of the boat... After lots of shouting from me, and encouragement from Tina, they all made it.
4 of the Rescue Divers are heading onto Divemaster training, and I believe this course has brought them together as a team, which will serve them well in their DMT course.
Well done to all, and boy... I am tired!
P.S. A cat that pops in occasionally, was pregnant, but has had its kittens somewhere... now if I can just follow her one day......
UK wise, I have been working on several titles at the same time, including a new one for BSAC (British Diving Club)... which is cool..
Here, Jenny was conducting a 1 person Open Water Course with a Japanese student. Jen thought that the student was very attentive and Jen was very impressed with her diving.
Me, apart from the UK work, I was teaching a 6 person Rescue Course with another instructor named Tina. This is a challenging 3 day course that teaches them all the skills required if they ever were unfortunate enough to be involved in a diver rescue.
To say it is challenging for the students is true, but for us instructors... it is even more challenging. On the last day, in 1 afternoon, Tina (whose was good cop) and I (who was bad cop) registered 7 dives each, with no safety stops, as we had to perform 6 student rescues from the ocean floor and then 4 Divemaster trainees rescue assessments.
The rescue assessment involves the students or the divemasters recovering a diver from the bottom, and bringing them up inflating their BCD. This is a very dangerous procedure if not done correctly. In training the day before, one of the students did not do what he was briefed and I had to intervene to stop a very serious situation. It took a lot of effort to stop a completely out of control diver shooting to the surface, and I lost my temper with the student while underwater. Anyway, on this final day, every student and divemaster completed a satisfactory recovery from the bottom.
After the recovery from the bottom, they then have to do rescue breaths while dragging the unresponsive diver back to the boat, removing all scuba equipment, and then get them up the back of the boat... After lots of shouting from me, and encouragement from Tina, they all made it.
4 of the Rescue Divers are heading onto Divemaster training, and I believe this course has brought them together as a team, which will serve them well in their DMT course.
Well done to all, and boy... I am tired!
P.S. A cat that pops in occasionally, was pregnant, but has had its kittens somewhere... now if I can just follow her one day......
Friday 1 July 2011
1st July 2011
Many apologies for the lack of updates..
Jen is on an open water course and I am on a 6 person rescue course, one of the most demanding course for student divers.
Although fun, hours are short, and fitting it in with UK work leaves me no time to do a blog.
The course ends tomorrow, when hopefully after the students celebrations... I can resume blogging.
As always, love to all..
x
SD
Jen is on an open water course and I am on a 6 person rescue course, one of the most demanding course for student divers.
Although fun, hours are short, and fitting it in with UK work leaves me no time to do a blog.
The course ends tomorrow, when hopefully after the students celebrations... I can resume blogging.
As always, love to all..
x
SD
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