Our DVD morning starts at 8.30 and involves another chapter, again I fill in the knowledge review while the DVD is on, to ensure I have no homework to be doing after. Some people in this class are really not paying much attention. Not that it is too difficult, but still, you should be paying attention. After this we get a break for an hour or two before we meet back again and it is time for some pool training.
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The group is split in two, those who want to complete in 3 days and those who want 4 days. The only difference is that if you opt for 4 days you get an extra dive in the sea where you practice some of the skills, the 3 day group practice all skills in the pool. I go for the 4 day, might as well get some extra sea time. I get a new instructor, James, a plump Australian. Really nice guy, takes everything slowly and spends time with everyone. We get sized up for our gear and then it is off to the side of the pool. We have to tread water for 10mins as one of the tests before we begin. You would be surprised how long 10mins is when you are just bobbing around on the surface, then in to the gear. Quite a lot of stuff to be considering, I am in a wet suit, sexy, and then you have a BCD (Buoyancy Control Device) which is basically an inflatable jacket, fins, a weight belt, mask and then the tank and regulator. We are shown how to put everything together and then do a buddy check on each other to ensure that we have covered all the safety aspects, then it is in to the pool. It is a strange feeling the first time you go under the water and start breathing, very strange indeed. We practice a number of skills in the pool, clearing mask, removing regulator from mouth, checking air, using alternate air source and then we dive to the deep end of the pool, equalising as we go by holding your nose and blowing to equalise the pressure. We are in the pool for a good few hours and I have to take my fins off because I am starting to feel the cramp in my feet, not a good sign. The Czech girl in our group is really struggling in the pool today, she can't take the mask off and get water in her eyes. I envisage that this will be a problem. Her boyfriend is trying to comfort her and all in all i think it is a bit of a disaster. Ha. A great first day, the time passes quickly and I can't wait until tomorrow when we will be in the sea. That will be the real exciting part.
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I meet with Jeff (Jean-Francois) the French Canadian for a few beers after our class. He is travelling with his friend Charles and so we have a few beers and chat away. They are here for a month, just to do diving. Very nice. Jeff is 42 and has his own computing business, and Charles also works in the computing industry. They both speak very good english and so communication is not a problem. After a few beers I retire to bed as I am pretty tired after today. I get a nice cold shower and then it is in to bed. My fan squeaks and it is so hot that I don't sleep with any covers, not that I was provided with any.