SCUBA DIVING IS JUST FUN!

It's going to be a totally different experience for today's post, i'm going to talk abit on scuba diving. I've wanted to write on this topic since i was back from Redang but couldn't really do it cause i was still working. Till recently, after i quit my job i've done some research on it.

A little bit of introduction before i go on any further.

You'll probably be asking, what's scuba diving? If i were to define it, it'll be swimming underwater while using self-contained breathing equipment. It's a really adventurous and challenging hobby i'd say. Before one wants to proceed to any leisure diving, he/she will have to take up the diving course which ranges from beginner to advance diver from a list international diving agency. In Malaysia, the more popular ones are PADI, NAUI, SSI and SDI. However, personally i like PADI more. PADI stands for Professional Association of Diving International, if i'm not wrong. For beginner courses, they offer the Open Water Diving (OWD) course which will cost around RM1k+ . Upon completion of the OWD, one will then be a certified open water diver, which means that they can start diving at the open sea till the maximum depth of 18 metres. During the course, they need to go for theory classes, some confined and open water dives and of course not to forget, exams. After the OWD, they can opt for the Advance OWD course which after that, they will be able to dive at the maximum depth of 30 metres

The course structure of PADI.

For me, I've tried the Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) before at Redang a few months ago. A truly amazing experience I'd say tho it's abit scary.


When i first signed up the course, i was asked to sign this form which says that if anything were to happened to me, PADI will not be responsible for my death, i was already abit freaked out. Then, i was brought into the "classroom" where i was asked to watch this PADI DSD video before proceeding for any dives. The video, was really scary. Guess what's the first thing my instructor showed me from the video? "3 types of method that can cause death while diving". Sigh. It seems that a diver can die from drowning, lung expansion injury and underwater accident. After watching it, i was thinking if i should just leave the classroom and forget all about diving. But nah, since I've already thrown in 150 bucks for it. Later on which i also learnt about all the gears needed and some basic skills for safe diving. All these, which includes equalizing the pressure underwater, mask clearing, purging, a little bit on buoyancy and some underwater hand signals. I was then told by my instructor that if anything happens underwater while diving, i will have to settle it underwater first. I'm only allowed to go back to the surface of the sea if the problem has gone worst. Man! What kind of crap is this? So i asked, Does that mean that even if i drowned and was about to die, i have to settle it underwater first? My instructor answered me yes, with a serious tone. Thought of changing another instructor but nah, it didn't happen cause there's insufficient instructor for that day.

Ok, after all the classroom crap, he decided to bring me for my first dive. After having geared up, i looked something like this. Except that i'm a guy.

Before i go for some serious dives, i was asked to perform the few techniques I've learn from the classroom under the water. Everything was okay except for the purging thing, where i need to purge my oxygen regulator if i accidentally drop it from my mouth while diving. After several tries, i finally got it right.

It was something like this when i perform all the techniques I've learnt.

After getting everything done, there i go! My very first dive of my life. The feeling was indescribable. It feels so relaxed underwater, with the water so warm and clear. I've never felt so secured in my life before. The underwater world was really great. Managed to see alot of pretty fishes and beautiful corals. One thing i realised when i was diving, the fishes treated me as if i'm one of their family too. I guess they just have the thoughts that anything that swims under the sea are part of their family. A few little anchovies even accidentally banged into my earholes while they were swimming as if they didn't know that i can actually eat them up. The experience was a truly unforgettable one. At that time i was regretting why didn't i get a underwater camera before heading to Redang. Well, the dive lasted for about 45 minutes untill my tank ran out of oxygen. It was an amazing and awesome dive as i managed to see a seaturtle, clownfish and also moray eels. From what i heard from my instructor, not every one can be as lucky as me to spot any seaturtles and moral eels underwater.

Right after my first discovery dive, i've made up my mind that one day, before i graduate as a doctor, i will definitely get my open water diving course done. To me live is just short and we should experience everything as we can before getting too old for them.

So, for any divers that have gone thru my page, do drop by me some details and comments on the OWD courses if you've known any of them. Thanks alot! For the time being, I hope i've brought up some interest on diving for you guys. Cheers!