Here's my awesome birthday "life-time" PADI present from my beloved sister!!!
She hooked me up with 5 of other doctors who were fun and crazy enough to plan this trip!
We got there around noon and was told to watch a 5-section video ranging from buoyancy, names and usefulness of the BCD & regulator, to underwater sign language, as well as how to save our lives in case we're out of air, etc.
The open-book theory exam:
We were "allowed" to copy. Thrilled at that idea, we started delegating sections and questions. So I was in-charged of Section 1B. The final exam had 50 questions. So technically, each person do 10 questions, share answers and voila! we're done! But the goody-goody in us taught us better. We decided to use that as our "safety net". So we ended up with minimal copying, desperately searching the book, and discussing possible answers and getting our "why" questions answered. Three (me included) out of six of us brought the test home to continue analyzing the questions. I ended up having fun with the questions and felt so much more knowledgeable after all those questions being drilled!
That night, we had all kinds of seafood for dinner! Fish, squid, abalone, veg, etc. The beautiful thing about the place was that the Muslims sat and ate in harmony with the Chinese. Chinese restaurants don't serve pork and respect the Muslim culture. How is it that it's so different yet we're still in the same country?!
Dive Lesson Day 1:
Danny the 21-year-old instructor showed us everything we studied from the book.
The BCD (how to wear: left hand held, right hand through, right hand grip, while left hand through, left hand velcrorize and both hand fasten the belt, and fasten both straps on each shoulder).
The Oxygen Tank: Check expiration date, check O-ring, smell gas (in case it's stale).
The Regulator: Four lines - Regulator, Alternate source, Depth & Oxygen Gauge and the Hose (low pressure).
So we first find the oxygen tank. Initially, the cap will be over the J-Valve indicating that it's full of oxygen. We then hook up the BCD straps behind on to the tank and fasten it. We then hook the first stage over the Yoke Valve onto the O-ring and check the gauge. It should show the oxygen level of 200. Depth gauge should be adjusted to 0. The second stage (hose) should be fasten into the low pressure hose so the air can pass through the alternate source. Alternate source should be twirled into a figure 8 and be fastened in front of the left shoulder. Test the oxygen sources and make sure they work. Clean out sand if required. Now to put it on.
In the water:
First wear the weight belt. Then put on the BCD (follow the exact taught method) and we're ready!
Next he taught us how to breath through the regulator underwater, how to clear our masks when it's half full/full of water, take off and wear back the mask under water, open eyes under water, how to signal when you're out of air, steps to borrow our buddy's alternate source, how to find the regulator if it's out of our mouth, etc... it was pretty overwhelming!
Dinner at Arthur's bar was pretty good (rice, wedges, 2 tiger prawns, squids). Free sashimi!!! We were promised more if we came back the next night!
Dive Lesson Day 2:
There were some "practical exams" or observation of some major stuff we learnt yesterday. Like asking our buddy for help, losing the regulator, and taking off and putting the mask back on underwater. We then proceeded to learn new stuff like the CESA, more on deep water stuff.
After passing the practicals underwater, we did two dives. I went about 18meters deep!Clearing our ears was an annoying somewhat painful experience. Amal came out of the water with blood on he face! So that's pretty much it. We came back, showered and went back into the office to fill out our log book.
Dinner with wedges, rice, squid, crab, fish and more free tuna sashimi!!!!
Amazing trip! We left immediately after dinner and were all so exhausted by the time we arrived back in Tawau.
-End with my PADI certification on it's way-
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