Let me introduce myself, my name is Carol Richardson and I am a sales consultant with Interealty on the beautiful Island of Tenerife. Some of you may wonder what we “ locals “ get up to in our “free time”. The following account may answer some of your questions. Sales consultant, Regina Burke, and myself, together with our colleague Anette Andersen decided that we would take up “diving”, this is an account of what happened and the first instalment of our great adventure, to gain our official diving certificate.
It all started as a laugh and a joke at a friends’ bar. What do you do at the weekends? Well if I am not showing property not a lot was the reply. "Why not try Diving?" Now I have to say that I’ve always wanted to go diving so a plan was formulated. Not for one moment did I consider the implications of such a move, but as my colleague, Regina was to be married soon, it seemed a good idea to rope her into it as well, so that she would have something to do on those long sun kissed honeymoon days. Anette decided to come along for the ride, so we were three. The old saying never volunteer did echo in my ears but what the heck.
Anyway the day dawned and I realised too late, that I should have bought that new swimsuit. We agreed to meet at “ Castle Harbour ”, a venue used as “in house” training but also one we all knew. The major event was to take place in Los Cristianos at a safe deep-water site. So ready and eager and with more than a bit of in trepidation, we set off. After a considerable time being made aware of the safety aspects and after being shown the groups insurance cover, Oscar and Barney our instructors for the day, prepared us for the sea and our great adventure.
It took a good 20 minutes for us all to get fully equipped; I for one did not appreciate how much rubber was involved. Boots, suit, jacket etc. and then the cylinder (not tank, deduct points if this is said) likewise they are not flippers they are fins and we do not wear goggles but a mask. Lack of these basic principles will cost you, usually at the bar afterwards, Points make prizes. Fully equipped I did not anticipate the weight we were expected to carry, partly due to the cylinder and also in no small way to the rest of our protective clothing and the weight belts. The belts enable you to stay underwater; otherwise you would float to the surface like some barrage balloon. You do not realise, that after a long time swimming, even in our warm climate, you can become cold. (the protective clothing is therefore a very necessary item). Of course once in the water all of this would become negligible. The walk to the waters edge was, the longest in history and I am sure we all looked as if we were rejects from some Japanese survival show, as we strutted our stuff down
This procedure involves holding your nose and blowing. The pressure is then released, this being important as failure to do so can damage your inner ear. Anette has dived before so she had no problems in reintroducing herself to the great diving extravaganza. She just wanted to get on and see the underworld, and she was lucky enough to meet a good selection of sea life, and spoke several times about the baby octopus she encountered. Meanwhile, like all the instructors mine was keen to make sure everyone else wsd OK at all times. This entailed him making the OK sign with his fingers and me making it back. I discovered that whilst I was crawling about underwater, looking at the abundant sea life, I was OK, but the minute I started to think about it all, I was not, OK, and mild panic set in, involving me racing to the surface, with a bemused
the beach. Once at our designated rendezvous we were again given several safety aspects and our try dive began, this would lead eventually to our practise sessions to gain our PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) certificate. …… I did not think for one moment that I had any problem with water. It did become apparent that more than anything else I did not like the mask, feeling more than a bit claustrophobic, this was quickly becoming a concern.
Due to the professionalism of our instructors, my colleagues and myself had a fantastic day out. But it was not over, we had to emerge from the waters and claw our way back up the beach.
instructor behind. Due to the professionalism of our instructors, my colleagues and myself had a fantastic day out. But it was not over, we had to emerge from the waters and claw our way back up the beach. If we all thought it was difficult before, after a several hours of weightlessness we were in for a shock…We had to drag ourselves up like some aging sea creature. There was then the unveiling, getting all that rubber, back off. It was hot work and all of us were thinking
My instructor realised that a change of mask was necessary. The new one, a big eye having better all round vision. As the instruction got underway we all realised that I was going to take a little longer than the others to get used to our new and exiting environment.
It was decided that perhaps I needed a bit more confidence boosting, so I was taken aside while the others continued to go through the exercises, that would ultimately enable them to dive.I on the other hand was going to need more than a bit of coaxing. My instructor with the patience of a saint went through the procedures again for me and eventually did succeed in getting me to at least put my face in the water, albeit with my eyes closed. Once this was mastered however, I did get underwater, and I have to say there is no way that I can describe the colours of the water as the sun shone on it, the tranquillity and the complete and utter silence (apart from my regulator, going ten to the dozen). Regina, on the other hand was sailing through the tuition like a fish to water. She did experience some discomfort in her ears at the start. Undeterred she signalled to her designated instructor, who took her back to the surface, allowing her to equalise them.
about a cold beer and maybe a burger, diving seems to make you hungry. I was advised that they had other plans for me…I was being taken back to “ Castle Harbour” for some pool work. This was to make sure that I could do the exercises that both Regina and Anette had mastered, because I needed to be at the same level as them to continue with our planned PADI course. So back on with the mask, regulator ect and I am now crawling about the swimming pool, much to the evident amusement of the local holidaymakers. It is a really good way to find out how clean your pool is, but is also a safe environment in which to practice. Again we went through the are you OK? And guess what yes, yes, NO. After a good bit of perseverance I made it…I can now take my regulator out of my mouth, underwater, swing it over my shoulder, as you do, retrieve it and breath again. I am not saying this was easy but it can be achieved with determination and professional tuition.You can proceed at your pace, allowing you to enjoy a whole new world. The instructors will guide you through the maze of equipment and the theory of diving, always keeping your safety very much on their minds.
After a day like today I had decided against the cold beer and opted for a very large brandy. The Instructors joining me, I felt I really owed them one or two.Stay tuned for the second and perhaps scary continuation, confined water skills in the next issue of “The Gazette”.
The course is being supplied for the Interealty Property Gazette by Wreck ‘n’ Reef and if you are interested in trying this fascinating activity you can contact them at: Telephone: (+34) 922 79 05 86, Mobile: (+34) 659 63 66 94, www.wrecknreef.com, E-mail: barnsaunders@hotmail.com
together with our colleague Anette Andersen decided that we would take up “diving”, this is an account of what happened and the first instalment of our great adventure, to gain our official diving certificate.
to go through the exercises, that would ultimately enable them to dive.I on the other hand was going to need more than a bit of coaxing. My instructor with the patience of a saint went through the procedures again for me and eventually did succeed in getting me to at least put my face in the water, albeit with my eyes closed. Once this was mastered however, I did get underwater, and I have to say there is no way that I can describe the colours of the water as the sun shone on it, the tranquillity and the complete and utter silence (apart from my regulator, going ten to the dozen). Regina, on the other hand was sailing through the tuition like a fish to water. She did experience some discomfort in her ears at the start. Undeterred she signalled to her designated instructor, who took her back to the surface, allowing her to equalise them. 