Diary of a Trainee Ocean Diver's First Open Water Dive

19 July 2003 - Wraysbury

I woke to find a bright blue sky with just a smatter of cloud, so I knew that the dives would not be cancelled.  Surprisingly the M25 behaved and in no time I arrived at Wraysbury.  Alex was already there and shortly after, Andrew and Bryan arrived. 

Andrew was my instructor/buddy for the day.  We discussed what we were going to do and proceeded to put our dry suits on (or should I say sweat suits considering what a hot day it was).  

We made our way to the far end platform.  I wondered when the butterflies would kick in and when I would realise that I should have gone to the loo before being completely sealed in, but this didn’t happen.  Perhaps it was because of Andrew's and Bryan's humour or the fact that my fantasy had come true - at last being dressed in rubber by a younger man!

Andrew made it all look so easy, which of course it is when you are streamlined and well over 6ft tall.  For those of us who are more compact at 5ft it takes a great deal of effort!  At last the shot line was reached. 

Andrew explained clearly what we were going to do and down we went to the platform, almost 7m below the surface.  Neutral buoyancy was achieved, although I kept listing to the left as my weight distribution was not quite even.  Finning around the platform was a real effort but taking the regulator from my mouth and reintroducing it was not too bad. 

Andrew being the good tutor he is knew when it was time to go back to the rope and ascend.  I think we were both surprised that I did not throw a wobbly.  I appeared to show no signs of fear. 

Finning back to the shore took away what strength I had left in me.  As for removing some of my equipment before getting out of the water - thank goodness there were young energetic men around to help disrobe me, well nearly!

Alex recorded our details after the dive, then it was his turn to go in the water for his rescue tests.  My dive time was 35 minutes in total.  We had our debrief, checked out permitted dive times for the next dive and planned the dive.  Although tired I was happy to proceed. 

Well I made it to the platform marker, went down 1m and came up, composed myself and went down again to the platform.  Then Andrew's dry suit valve stuck!  Fortunately he had explained this to me on dry land, but panic took hold.  I had visions of me rescuing Andrew, although I knew I could do it as I had been trained in the pool.  Andrew sorted himself out, thank goodness, but I could feel my mask filling with water, water in my mouth and then almost lost it.  Andrew tried to air share and somehow I put my own regulator back in, reached the shot line, ascended a little and gave the OK sign.  I knew I had had enough and we continued to the surface.  After several deep breaths and a short talk with Andrew I made the decision that enough was enough for my first day in open water and we headed back to the shore.  That dive took 7 minutes, but it seemed a lot longer to me. 

I endeavoured to de-kit whilst in the water, but had very little strength left.  Andrew thought he was going to have to rescue me, and was pleased at how I managed to compose myself in the water once I had the security of the shot line.  I for myself did not wish to lose my confidence for any future open water dives and was pleased that I had stopped when I did.