apologies

Sorry everyone, my blog update has been a bit slow at the moment.  This is mainly due to birthdays and get togethers.  Not really being a great host if I am tucked away in the corner with the laptop out!

Anyhow, training has taken a bit of a back seat at the moment, my gym membership is on hold as I am preparing for my trip and the schools have only just gone back.  No way am I going down to the local pool with the kids off school.

Plans are coming together nicely with my accommodation booked in Mijas Costa.  I am now driving down to the Costa because of the amount of gear I am going to need for 3 months and my dive kit.

Most of the items I needed have been bought so it is just a case of getting the paperwork together and packing up.  Will really really miss Amanda and I know she will be the same but hopefully it will give us great options in the future.

Just got to get the Sat Nav sorted...

Ouch

There was a variation on the training yesterday - when I got home Amanda suggested we take the bikes out as she needed to grab some stuff from school and there was a pub involved at the end. Sounded good so kitted up and set off.

Bristol is not flat and my bike although light still takes a bit of effort getting up and down the hills and valleys. The effort was then multiplied tenfold when the gears decided to pack in after the 3-4 miles mark! I now only had use of 3 gears - not one small enough for the steep climbs and not one big enough to get any speed going on the slopes. Still I persevered, Amanda was doing well as she didnt have many gears to start with either.

We couldn't get the stuff from the school as it was locked up so onwards to the pub. Amanda had been before as it is where the teachers all go for their 'Friday' meetings after school! Cool setting right by the Avon river. I ordered a pint of old man's ale and Amanda had a half of Thatchers frozen cider, bloody nice especially as it comes out in the glass all frozen. With twiglets in hand we took a seat. After checking the map we realised that we had already doen about 7-8 miles. Not bad I thought, but it does mean it is 7-8 miles back! We decided to take the scenic route back along the river tow path. Not ideal circumstances considering the recent weather. Very thick mud and white trainers do not mix! Still it was a pretty cool ride and most importantly it was FLAT! Finally made it home just as darkness setting in (Amanda had very cleverly brought the lights for the bike and packing tape so I taped my lights on and was legal).

Just checked the maps this morning and it is showing we completed 15 miles, I really really feel it today as well. I do believe that the gym might have to be put off for a couple of days just until I am able to walk properly again!

Magners again...

A couple of cans tonight watching the rugby before I have to go back to work again tomorrow morning.  Just think only around 2 weeks left then I get to do exactly what I want.  No more having to bite my lip with an ignorant twat shouting the odds on why he deserves an upgrade! 

Received my eRDP today courtesy of eBay,  it is an electronic repetitive dive planner from PADI which I need as part of my diving course.  Pretty clever bit of gear and I have found pretty easy to use.

Had more contact with the dive shop in Spain just to check on details and all still going to plan.  I have now managed to finish the Divemaster manual except for Chapter 5.  Gonna have to leave that one until I get there and then they can explain the technical stuff - don't really get it.

Just waiting on accommodation now - something simple but secure will do.  

Halftimes

Anyone care to help me understand 'halftimes'?

Yes, I've passed!

One of the last barriers to prevent me from diving professionally has been overcome as today I passed my HSE (Health & Safety Executive) Diving Medical.  

This is the first time I have taken this kind of medical for anything so I was a bit apprehensive as to how I would go.  I know I am pretty fit and healthy but you always have that fear that they will turn up something and that's it your dream is over.

The doctor was great and I would highly recommend him.  He is diver friendly as he is a diver himself and he takes a genuine interest in what you are doing or what you are trying to achieve.  He is the only listed HSE appointed doctor in Bristol but doesn't rely on this and puts in the effort to make you feel at ease as you progress through the numerous tests.  It takes about 1 1/2 hours to get through and covers most of your body - Urine Test, ECG, Fitness Test, Hearing Test, Eye Test, BP and full questionnaire.  This is on top of the Blood test and Medical History confirmation you have to complete at your own GP surgery beforehand.  

A few drinks tonight to celebrate I think!  Then it is back on to the books tomorrow aswell as sorting out accommodation and numerous other things...

The studying has begun...

Here I go then, head into the books. Chapter 1 of the Divemaster manual is pretty straightforward and gentles lowers you into the world of Professional Diving and what to expect and what is expected of you. You are taught about the 3 broad characteristics of a Divemaster..1) Professionalism 2) Role Model Behaviour 3) Ability to assist and Supervise dive activities. Well I think I can be a role model* (insert cheeky comment here!)

The chapter then goes more into Role Model behaviour and how it can affect other divers in a positve or negative way. Obviously I want to be a positive role model so hopefully I can gain the respect of other divers. I do not want to fall into the trap of hipocrasy and just be there paying lip service. Being a negative role model will just lead to other divers questioning my authority (say in high pitched Kartman voice).

Following this are the benefits and responsibilities of being a PADI Divemaster. The benefits include Publications, Reduced rate materials, access to worldwide liability insurance, earn some wonger and PADI is the largest organisation so it leads to more opportunities. Being a Divemaster also has responsibilities - Must keep up to date with changing standards, follow all standards, renew annual membership with your current address and always represent PADI favourably.

As you might have guessed I am also using this blog as a training tool for myself. My thinking behind it is that as I go through the book I will try to reinforce what I am learning by repeating items here. Hey some of you might find it a bit boring but I gotta learn somehow and there is a hell of a lot to get through!

My medical is on Wednesday and that will be the final yes/no as to whether I am going, I have been told it is fairly straightforward but as with everything I just want it official. There is nothing worse than getting yourself all worked up and having the rug pulled from under you!

Anyhow, it's on to Chapter 2 for me...

Yesterday had nothing on today!

2 1/2 hours to get to work this morning.  10 miles.  Swapped my day from yesterday because of the snow and look where it got me!  Glad I did go in though as it was minimal staff because of the conditions.  I am still amazed, however, at the amount of numpties on the roads.  There were about 3-4 of us helping each other through the roads.  Stopping now and again to give each other a push through the snow.  Drivers still trying to overtake when they can clearly see others are stuck, whatever happened to helping out?  Still, my super steed Ford Focus saw me through, just got to do it all again tomorrow!  After all the hassle of getting in the airport shut for the day as well!  Flight cancelled and everyone sent home to try again tomorrow.

I was planning on swimming again today to keep the training up but it hasn't happened.  I got home so knackered after dealing with the airport today that I decided to give it a miss.  It's a poor show I know but with all the snow and ice about the place it could be a good and safe decision.

No Magner's tonight as I have run out, so I shall be on a nice bottle of vino instead....

Its a Snow Day!

Snow hit Bristol big time today - the alarm went off, I struggled out of bed and started the shower.  Just had a fleeting glance out of the window, what a result - shower off and back into bed.  There was no flight today and no way I was digging the car out to slide to work with no flight.  Swap my days and all happy.

Amanda gave me my birthday present today. (Don't worry, she gave it to me early, you all have time to get my present sorted - 23rd Feb for those who forgot!).  A wonderful gift from a wonderful wife - everything a budding diver needs, the PADI Divemaster Crew Pack.  Amanda gave it to me early as I have to get studying now.  With a large Encyclopedia, PADI Divemaster Manual, Workbook etc, etc I have a lot of studying ahead of me.

I cracked on with Chapter 1 today, "The Role and Characteristics of a PADI Divemaster".  Simple stuff I hear you say - flicked through the other chapters and the workbook, wow gonna have to study good and hard!  Archimedes theory, Decompression theory, Carotid-Sinus reflex - and that is just for starters!  The best way to get through this is one step at a time.  Complete each chapter thoroughly to make sure it sinks in (get it?) and then on to the next.  No point worrying about what is to come when you haven't completed the what is in front of you.  Must always remember to RTFQ!

This afternoon a nice stroll to the doctors with Amanda to pick up my Blood test results.  As part of the medical I have to have a blood test to make sure I am not anaemic.  Went into the treatment centre to ask for the test results, going well so far, and just got the response "your blood is fine".  I can not believe I had to ask for a print out, I really do not think the HSE will accept my word for it!

More training in the pool tomorrow - just need to keep building the stamina and swimming strength.  I try to do 32+ lengths of the pool if I can, as many of those lengths in one go.  I really think the stamina tests are going to be hard for me.

Any how, snow is now melting and the fridge beckons for a nice Magners before dinner.  

"I have an announcement.."

Well today was the day that the rest of the team were told.  It is a bit weird to come out straight with this but there wasn't any other way and I didn't want the main people hearing through rumours if I could help it.  I don't think that is fair.  Guys and Gals round BRS have been a great support to me during my time.

Let's just say I am a bit choked up by the response!  I knew that I got on with most people round the airport but the feedback I have got has been really great.  Needless to say I will miss everyone here a great deal!  BRS was my first station in my sole control and my life was made so much easier with all the help and hard work put in by others.  Bristol as a station has received an 'Outstanding' audit and we have received numerous other awards during my time.  This has been a team effort and all members of this team, past and present, have all contributed positively.  Everyone at BRS has a lot to be proud of.

Training for the Divemaster course is now in full swing.  I am really not looking forward to the stamina tests.   Lots of pool work and visits to the gym will hopefully make this a bit easier to handle.

I still have the medical to complete so I will keep you informed as to how it goes!

Dave's Scuba Saga - The beginning

Well I have only gone and done it!  After 14 years with Continental Airlines today was the day I gave notice to them upstairs.  Pretty scary as I now begin my adventure into the unknown. 

I am hopeful that I will keep this blog up as an account of how I changed my life.  Maybe it won't work out but at least I can say I gave it a go!  Too many times in the past I have thought "that's a good idea", "maybe one day" or "I wish my life was like that".  Well now I am going to find out by actually doing it.

Over the years I have made many superb friends and worked with some fantastic people, the opposite is also true but now is not the time for retributions, now I have to concentrate on giving this a real go.  

My last day is 3rd March and will be the end of an era.  The plan is to go out to Spain on the first weekend with a view to start Monday after.  As time gets nearer I will start cementing down my plans.  Watch this space!

For those of you that haven't got it yet, I am leaving the airline world to follow a dream - I am off the Spain to train to become a PADI Scuba Instructor.  My wife is a real support for me and also wants to train but will have to delay whilst she finishes her own qualifications.  The work she has had to do and the work she still has to complete is immense, I am so proud of her and thank her for her great support.   I picked Spain ahead of some more tropical places because I would never be too far from home and it would be pretty easy to come back in case of any emergency.  The Caribbean would have been lovely but I would hate to think of the difficulty in getting home if it all went wrong!

I am going to use this blog as a record for myself of what I have achieved (or not) so I will try to update as much as I can.  You are more than welcome to follow along, make comments or just keep in touch!

Cheers