We had a great day on Sunday on our first open water dive. We drove up the coast to Hawksbay, just a little further on from the Beach House, Andrew and I visited in October.
We arrived o
n the beach and found lots of little boats bobbing about on the Arabian Sea. Yousuf, our instructor, had hired one of these and after we had stowed all our gear we set sail (or in actual fact started our engine).
When we had gone out a fair way we kitted up and prepared to dive. This was not as easy as it sounds on land it’s not a straight forward maneuver; in a small boat it’s even more difficult. Once I had finally managed to put on weight belt, Buoyancy Control Device (BCD), SCUBA, mask, fins and snorkel I was some what cumbersome and moving around the boat was difficult. I finally manage to perch on the sill of the boat and then on command I rolled backwards into the water.
At first all was well and the water was warmer than the pool we used on Friday. Once we were all in the water we started our controlled descent following the anchor line. I had got down about 6 or 8 feet and was struggling to equalize the pressure in my ears. This meant I couldn’t go any further as the water pressure continues to build and would eventually burst my eardrums!! I made several attempts but couldn’t manage it. I have never had a problem in the pool; I think I may have a bit of an infection which caused the blockage.
When the others had finished their dive, we had some lunch and sailed a bit further up the coast to an area of reef and coral. We kitted up again and we had another go. This time I managed to equalize pressure and had a proper dive. There was some marine life and coral to see, but far less than you see in the Red Sea. It was really strange being able to stay underwater for all that time and still be able to breathe, but it was something I got used to very quickly.
We had a great day but unfortunately I had forgotten my hat, so I had to adapt my clothing as shown in the photo to cover my head, it may not look very classy but it served the purpose!
We arrived o
n the beach and found lots of little boats bobbing about on the Arabian Sea. Yousuf, our instructor, had hired one of these and after we had stowed all our gear we set sail (or in actual fact started our engine).When we had gone out a fair way we kitted up and prepared to dive. This was not as easy as it sounds on land it’s not a straight forward maneuver; in a small boat it’s even more difficult. Once I had finally managed to put on weight belt, Buoyancy Control Device (BCD), SCUBA, mask, fins and snorkel I was some what cumbersome and moving around the boat was difficult. I finally manage to perch on the sill of the boat and then on command I rolled backwards into the water.
At first all was well and the water was warmer than the pool we used on Friday. Once we were all in the water we started our controlled descent following the anchor line. I had got down about 6 or 8 feet and was struggling to equalize the pressure in my ears. This meant I couldn’t go any further as the water pressure continues to build and would eventually burst my eardrums!! I made several attempts but couldn’t manage it. I have never had a problem in the pool; I think I may have a bit of an infection which caused the blockage.
When the others had finished their dive, we had some lunch and sailed a bit further up the coast to an area of reef and coral. We kitted up again and we had another go. This time I managed to equalize pressure and had a proper dive. There was some marine life and coral to see, but far less than you see in the Red Sea. It was really strange being able to stay underwater for all that time and still be able to breathe, but it was something I got used to very quickly.
We had a great day but unfortunately I had forgotten my hat, so I had to adapt my clothing as shown in the photo to cover my head, it may not look very classy but it served the purpose!
4 comments:
Just keep that headgear on: you're already all set for playing Joseph (or a shepherd) in the Nativity play!
;-)
p.s. (little bit of patriotic pedantry ...) http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=95241&dict=CALD
Just look at you in that beautiful sunshine, it is freezing here, we even skidded on the way home from the Watkins on Mon night it was so frosty on Matley Lane. Love the headgear you look almost foreign.
Made me laugh so much the post before this about you being Santa, they really do not know you well enough yet my friend, bah humbug you and Bill make perfect companions at this time of year.
We will miss you New Years Eve, won't be quite the same without you, but presume Egypt may be more appealing than Hyde really.
Miss you matey. Love you lots
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