Dave the DM

Hey hey everyone I finally can now call myself a Divemaster!  Completed the last of the required skills today and now I am beginning the IDC (Instructor Development Course) with a great Course Director Kev who is ably assisted by Simon who has also gained a new qualification and is now known as an IDC Staff Instructor.  ooh err misses.

This is where the hard work starts!  Loads of revision and study now needs to happen to help me get through.  I am going to apologise now but if I leave a post a bit infrequently over the next couple of weeks it is not through me losing interest.  Please be patient but I am going to be a bit stressy.  I promise I will get you all up to speed properly at the end....now where is that beer!

Pancho and Rocco

My instructors dogs, Pancho and Rocco and the lovely Natasha - My instructor's wife.

Photos of the drive down

Just as promised shots of my drive down to Spain from the UK!

Photos on way

Found out how to add photos so on the case now.

Me acting all Divemaster like!

Lots of Studying

Another great weather day here in sunny Costa Del Sol, I just wish I could be out there to enjoy it.  Yesterday and today I am having to keep my head down well and truely stuck in the books.

First up is the Emergency First Response Primary, Secondary and Care for Children.  I believe that this training is to start on Wednesday and if I pass I will then be qualified to teach it.  It is quite handy as it not only deals with diving injuries but also everyday injuries as well so it has many applications outside of my sport.  This could be a major plus and could be an earner for me as I can train almost anyone interested in First Aid.  

Then I have to start my IDC, the pre-study is pretty tough and the IDC is no stroll in the park also.  This will probably be one of the hardest things I have had to try to achieve with so many hours put in and many more to complete.  I just hope that I can make everyone proud and accomplish this.  I will be so pleased if I am able to get a result and it wont be through lack of trying.

Oh well, back to the books I guess.

So near but yet so far...

I thought I would be able to tell you all that I was now a qualified divemaster today but alas I can not.  I am still short on a few things and have a couple more days grace to get it all together.

Still to complete is the dive equipment exchange exercise.  This involves sharing one regulator for breathing whilst you swap all your equipment with your buddy.  Mask, BCD, Weights etc.  It is straight foward if taken in nice easy steps - But I, like you hate having to do tasks underwater without the ability to breathe.  I also have to complete the dive mapping exercise.  I have dived the site and just have to draw up the map with all the contours and depths etc.

A new instructor has arrived to help in the shop and she is proving a real help as it is another viewpoint and trainer I can learn from.  

The PADI Course Director arrives today to teach Simon his IDC Staff Instructor qualification.  It will be the same CD that teaches Antonio and me the IDC course which starts on Thursday.  Already trying to crack on through the Pre-Study section of my Instructor Candidate workbook.  Lots of reading and questions.  At the end of the IDC I will then have a 2 day Instructor examination which will be conducted by someone flying in from PADI Europe in Switzerland.  In this exam we will be joined by some candidates from another dive shop from Marbella called Happy Divers.  I really want to do myself and Simply Diving proud by passing but I know that it will not be easy by any means.  I must be able to perform tasks and activities to demonstration standard.

The weather over the past week has been a bit changeable and I have seen the first rain showers since being here.  It has brightened up though and next week is supposed to be really good.

Really miss Amanda after our great week together last week.  I know she will be feeling the pressure of the last term and my hat really goes off to her for all the work and effort she has put in.  Not long before I join her again but this time in South of France for the May break.

Will keep you updated as to how I go in the Divemaster program and how the IDC shapes up.

Take care

Morning all...

Well I am back and ready to post although it will not be all sweetness and light as a bit sad that Amanda is having to go back tomorrow. At least we have a cracking meal lined up and plenty of vino to try out.

Well what have I been up to in the last week then? On Monday Amanda and I had a great trip to Ronda. It is a beautiful town with a very impressive gorge running through the middle. The sun was shining and the Paella and Tapas went down very well with the vino blanco.

Diving wise it has also been pretty hectic with the Easter break in full swing! Most of the diving has been taking place in Marina Del Este, this has given me real confidence with this dive site and I am more than happy to lead divers round and show them the sights. Plenty of Bream, Octopi, Mullett, Starfish and Nudibranch's to spot.

Tomorrow I will be off to Tarifa for the first time for a days boat diving and I am really looking forward to it. I have been told to expect 20-30 metres of visibility and some great sea life as it is where the Med and Atlantic meet. I will have to update you on my return.

Today I am off to Club La Costa near Fuengirola to lead the try dive session for the kids. It is a great fun thing for them as they would normally be too young for the proper diving. This try dives have speacial kit which stores all in a backpack. I have also packed the underwater frisbee and torpedo so hopefully they can really enjoy themselves!

I promise I will not leave so long next time, stay tuned...

normal service will be resumed

apologies to all my followers but had to delay the next awe inspiring post as I am having to good a time with my wife.  I will be posting again in the next few days....watch this space

Knackering...

Hi all, well good news as another element to the Divemaster training program has been passed! It was not easy and my legs are like jelly and really ache. What where these tests? I hear you ask. Well here goes.

400 metre swin
800 metre swin with fins, mask, snorkel and face in water
15 minute treading water with last 2 minutes hands out of the water
100 metre tired diver tow.

This was all performed just off Torremolinos beach with waves and a strong longshore current. Tiring just does not cover it. Oh I also forgot to mention that thuis was timed and it had to be done within certain time frames with points awarded. Yu had to get a total of 12 points and I scroed 16 so I was really pleased.

Today we took some divers to Marina Del Este and it was really flat, viz is still questionable but getting better with every day. The temperature is also gong in the right direction with the water being about 15-16 degrees and the air temperature is about 23 degrees. Lovely.

At the moment I am also trying to help out and get a contact for Delta Airlines to see if we can sell diving to the Americans. They have a 5 a week service from JFK so it could be a bit of good business.

Just counting down the days now until Amanda joins me out here for Easter, a week is not long enough but it will be great!

Ta ta for now...