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Today I assisted the OW students from yesterday's confined pool session on their first open water dives at Dogs Point! It was quite an experience and very exhausting. The current was strong, the visibility was dreadful and I found it difficult to maintain my own position on the sea bed let alone steady them. Found myself twisting my body into all sorts of awkward positions to watch both of them while the current moved me about.
They both did amazingly well considering the conditions. I know if that had been my first open water dive it would have put me off for life! Emma needed a little reassurance on the first dive and looked around to find me then just grabbed my arms. I looked at her and held her arms and just signalled for her to breath slowly. It seemed to calm her down. It was a really positive feeling to know I helped her at that moment, having been in that position on many occasions myself.
The second dive had to be abandoned due to the current and I helped tow Emma back to the boat. I can not tell you how relieved I was to finally reach it!
Hopefully I will be with them again tomorrow when they dive at Tulamben and complete the course.
I spent the afternoon just in the pool on my own practicing skills without the pressure of an instructor or other students watching me. It definitely helped with my confidence levels, especially remembering the girls doing the skills yesterday and today. Still HATE the mask removal, but at least I can sort of do it! :-s
Still need to practice not waving my own arms about and maintain a better position in the water. No idea how I'll be able to do that in a current!
Once my kit was rinsed off, I did a bit of swimming just as some practice for when I eventually do the 400 swim.
Can't believe I've been here for 7 days already!
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