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Published: December 25th 2012
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We got up early for SCUBA school and after a run through of our homework exercises we were ready to sit our exam. Given that the exam is aimed at an American 12yr old, everyone in our group passed with flying colours.
There had been a storm during the night and so I was getting more and more nervous about our SCUBA dive in the sea. We collected our equipment after lunch and headed out on a long tail boat to the larger dive boat. The waves were pretty choppy - luckily I've had plenty of boat practice from my Oman days, but James was beginning to feel a bit sick. Steve our instructor tried to get us in the water as quickly as possible as on the sea bed there wouldn't be any waves! Our descent was fast but much smoother than I had imagined - all my gear was fine and my mask didn't leak water (this was my biggest fear). We had a swim around looking at the fish - I didn't feel confident to swim off on my own as I was too busy concentrating on breathing and staying alive!!
Our ascent was also pretty smooth, although on reaching the surface James was very sick. Dive depth: 11 meters, Bottom time: 38 mins. We had a short break on the boat before heading over to Sairee reef for our 2nd dive. Here Steve announced that we had to perform some skills underwater - uh oh! Yes I had to fill my mask with water and empty it (the skill I'd struggled with in the pool) - I did however manage to complete it. On our second dive we saw an angel fish, parrot fish and puffa fish. Dive depth: 9 meters, Bottom time: 38 mins. On boxing day the final 2 dives will be 12-18 meters and I'm guessing I'll need to complete the skill of taking my mask off completely, putting back on and emptying... let's see how I get on. As it's Christmas Day tomorrow, the SCUBA school is closed and so we have the day to chill on the beach.
Bailey's Bit:
I don't have the greatest history on boats, and today didn't do anything to improve it. I realised as soon as we stood on the tail boat that my lunch wasn't sitting right, which I was informed was too big and also too greasy (chicken burger and chips). On the first dive I felt sick while we were down with my SCUBA gear pressing against my stomach. As soon as we surfaced I fed some fishes. I was useless on the boat between the dives but was fine when I was in the water. That was until we tried to get on the boat, as soon as my hand touched the boat I fed the fish three times in quick succession, I hope they like chicken. Lesson learned for the 26th, luckily it's an early start so not much time for a bit breakfast!
Daily mileage: 0 overslept and was planning in running in the evening however after the afternoon activities it was to bed to calm the stomach!
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valerie
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James don\'t worry even those in the navy get sea sick every time they go on a deployment. I hope you both passed your scuba diving with flying colours -then you can Scuba dive on the great barrier reef xx love to you both mumsie