Ocean Diver Qualifier

Winter training at Vobster Quay. With Nick instructing, Julie and I had to do a bit of pilotage; that is find our way about using natural features and man-made objects as navigational waymarkers. On my turn I led from the aircraft nose, over some rough ground, past where a car used to be, past corrugated metal sheet, past boulders, past the dead tree sticking up from a deeper section, and past several concrete fence posts to the rocky so-called 'road' up to the surface. It was a good exercise and, as always, a chance to improve buoyancy etc, but I can't wait to get in the sea.

Vobster

Early start for a return to Vobster to do Ocean Diver training dives with Nick and Julie. Daylight revealed mainly cloud and a little sunshine here and there. First dive included a deep water entry (which I prefer to the slipway). I snorkelled on surface to shotline above boat wreck. We descended, paused at wreck and went across to the wheelhouse, then over to the aeroplane. I swam around far too much. Up slope over tunnel and road, and my ascent was a bit too quick. Poor visibility at times was of our own making.

On the second dive we got in down the slipway, after the effort of getting my flippers on (one of the worst parts I think) I flopped into deeper water. All together we descended gradually, following the road. My mask was very leaky and it needed several rounds of clearing and repositioning. At the rear fuselage section we did full mask clear drill and AS. I should remember to offer the octopus DV right way up! We went through the aircraft section with toilet, and Nick took some photographs. Later near the wall (I like it here), a separation occurred and we rendezvoused at surface. Better buoyancy, position and control. Re: position I think the threat of Nick's so-called 'naughty string' worked! Returning to the slipway we saw some big trout.