Friday….

The IE starts I have Finlay on the table, the Shark Project Aware mascot, (I had kinda stolen it during the IDC), the surroundings were beautiful it was the first time I had ever done an exam with flowers on the table and a table cloth, time and effort had gone in to making this a nice place to do the exams.

Finley

There were some speeches and some motivational stuff then we were given our folders with our skills for the next couple of days, I don’t really get that excited about things but when I saw the skills I had to present I really could of jumped in the air and shouted YESSSSSSSSS

Knowledge Development Presentation

• Dive Master Manual, Knowledge Review Chapter 5 Q8

Confined water teaching presentation

• Demonstrate Rescue Breathing Using Pocket Mask only

Open Water Teaching Presentation

• Mask removal and replace
• Knot Tying Sheet Bend
• Rescue Demonstration Mouth to mouth

And 5 skills from the skill circuit.

First exam

OPEN BOOK STANDARDS

Question one, I knew the answer, and didn’t need to look it up, but I did anyway just to make sure many of the answers were like this, still I reminded myself not to assume I was right and double checked. I finished handed in my paper and got told take 10 have a break then come back, so off I went had a drink (coffee) then came back.

Second Exam

DIVE THEORY

I finished with a lot of time to spare, I did not go back and check my answers I find that when I do that I end up doubting my original answer and getting it wrong so last box ticked and I handed it in I waited while they marked it finally ….. Congratulations you passed I had scored high on all of them lowest mark was 85% I scored 95% on standards too.

Relief now all I had too do was prepare for the next day,

I went back to the classroom with Roy and Marc and prepared for the next day’s class room presentation, and our slates for the pool.

Saturday

Confined Water

Red team (that was us) were first in the pool, I was relieved I wanted this over with, I swore that if I screwed up on the skill circuit I was just going to grab a load of weights and not come up ever, no way was I going to go back to Big Vin and say I failed, it was going fine until I did remove equipment and replace, I missed a release and yes the examiner saw it… now with Vin that would have been a 1… shiiiiit still just keep going.

Confined Water Presentation :  Mouth to pocket mask. I did my demonstration then had the students do it, 1st mistake pocket mask upside down spotted and corrected in about 5 seconds flat, second student dunked the head, I saw it coming next thing I know I was given the cut and skill over.. Fastest cut of the day … I knew that was a pass…

Scores were 4.8, and 23/25 not perfect but high.

Back to the hotel (Kata Beach Resort) ….

Knowledge Development presentation

I went second out of our group. This was not my best subject, lots to remember and lots of places to get it horribly wrong, but Sarah and Sean had done their jobs well Point by point I hit the critical attributes , Passed second highest marks…..4.6

That was it for Saturday that left Sunday, I knew that the game wasn’t over there was still time to screw up.

Open Water

Sunday again we were first in but first time to do an awesome briefing, this is where it matters almost more than in the water, while nobody wants a bad score it can happen, but a good briefing and de-briefing can save the day, I wanted points on my side just in case, I had been prepared well during the IDC by Sarah and Sean now all I had to do was apply it , briefing went well so as I swam out to the dive site I was hopeful but still mindful that almost anything could go wrong. One of my team mates was talking about skills, I told her shh you know it don’t wind yourself up, yeah but… no shh I started singing she joined in and chilled we got to the patch of sand laughing dropped the line in and were as ready as we could be.

Rescue Scenario

All was going well then a release on my victims BCD wouldn’t release; damn I missed a breath, immediately gave two breaths, no prompting and carried on….

Score 5

 Under water

I had dived this site and knew how much space wasn’t there, I swear it’s the teeniest patch of sand you have ever seen especially with 5 of you in it and skills to do.

People took their goes then it was my turn, 1st guy fumbled with his mask, cut redo…

Remember … damn he did it again… redo oh crap this isn’t good and again, stress levels are going up, am I wasting time? Have I nailed it? I could almost see it falling apart right here… stop breath focus, briefing was good just get this guy done and move on…job done, next one mask replace upside down… stop redo… remember… he got it right second time…. Up to the surface back to the beach

Swimming back I knew in my heart I had done enough, but I had to sit on the excitement I still had the de-brief to do. Stress levels around me got higher, I stopped listening I needed to focus on my de-brief I wanted a 5 that mask thing was bothering me.

On shore, I wrote up my debrief. De kitted and packed my gear…then it was time

I listened to the others then gave mine…. Well done Ivan you passed 4.8

Passed - The Red Team

That night I got a text message from BIG VIN… a man of few words, he did not disappoint ….”Well done mate welcome to the club”. Praise indeed.

IE Over and I passed it was the 25th of March 2012 and I had been at this since mid way through January. Final Hurdle the IE Party at Molly Malones………….

I stayed in Phuket until May team teaching and guiding, I also took some Speciality Instructor Certification with Scuba Cat.

It’s been one hell of a journey, and many people to say thank you too.

So I’ll just say thank you to every one that has added to the experience and knowledge I have acquired, ALL the Instructors and Dive Masters at Scuba Cat.

To Big Vin, for giving me all those 1’s and for sharing his knowledge…  If you ever want to become a DM I really don’t think you could ask for a better Instructor anywhere in the world.

Little Vince, For showing me more about how to help the qualified instructors during my Divemaster training, from setting up bouylines to accounting.

Kiwi, for being a mine of information and having time to answer even the dumbest of questions.

To Sarah and Sean for giving us hell and preparing us to go through the IE with the highest scores.

To my partner Cameo, for making it possible for me to be here and keeping our world running at home.

And to my Dive Buddy, Patience that sat and helped me go through all the e-mails and number crunching at the beginning and had faith in me during my journey.

Scuba Cat Diving was been based on the beach road of Patong for the past 18 years, but this year, things changed.

New Locations

A move away from the tuk tuks, tailors, massage parlours and Muay Thai advertisements (yes those of you who have already been to see us will recall “Monday Night, Monday Night……….” )to a new location inside the Kee Plaza, a fantastic hotel and shopping facility 200m off of the Beach Road. This has enabled us to have a larger retail selection, much more selection for our customers to choose from Scubapro, Aqualung and many more.

Kee Plaza

We have  kept our classrooms in Soi Watanna but opened a second shop putting retail and booking’s on the ground floor, this has allowed us to have our dive centre at both ends of Patong so is more convenient for you all. Our fun pub has moved to the roof top terrace we created this year.

Meet the team

It has been a different 6 months but things are progressing well.

Scuba Cat Diving, 5 * CDC is still under British ownership and management and they have the only female Course Director, Sarah Kench, conducting monthly IDC’s on Phuket. Along side this we are the only DDI (Disabled Diver International) Instructor Trainer Centre in Asia.

Scuba Cat has a long history of being eco aware, from laying artificial reefs, becoming the first National Geographic Centre in Phuket, bi-annual underwater clean ups and winning awards from Project AWARE. This is consolidated with our 5 year commitment to monitor reefs at a local island in conjunction with reef check trainers from China on a yearly basis as we are the only reef check centre on Phuket. Recently we won the Green Star Award, the first dive centre to achieve this on Phuket and quickly followed it up by becoming the first Dive Centre in Phuket to go 100% Aware.

Following the changes we made on the retail side of the business this year Scuba Cat has also made changes in the type diving we are offering.

As always we conduct our courses to the highest standards, with emphasis on quality rather time. IDC’s are available every month along with DSAT Tech diving up to Instructor level.

We are  running 3 Diving boats this year, all of which will have Nitrox available and limited numbers of divers on them, this will enable us to have 3 different schedules which will suit all divers and snorkelers.  Whether you are a snorkeller, brand new to diving or looking to change your life by joining us working in Paradise, no problem, we have a program to suit you and your whole family.

Daytrips to the local islands around Phuket on board MV Scuba Fun will run 3 dives per day at different locations. New for this year there will be freshly cooked meals from our own kitchen cooked by the awesome Chef from Lair Le Tong Restaurant.

Half day trips to the local reefs of Phuket on MV Scuba Sport, new for this year allowing boat diving on mornings, afternoons and night dives. Sightings on the reefs have been beyond our expectations, with things we have not seen around Phuket in many years, the most recent being a free Swimming Ribbon Eel.

Our liveaboard MV Scuba Adventure will run trips to both the North Andaman and South Andaman this season, allowing for 3, 4 or 7 day trips offering the best diving Thailand has to offer. As always she offers un-crowded conditions, by having reduced numbers on the boat and is run by our own Tour leader Kath Ridley and the best Captain and Crew on Phuket. A brand new schedule is being launched for the summer and next high season to give you even more variety.

A new IDC website created by our website designers dedicated to professional level courses and Internships will be launched very shortly.

Scuba Cat Diving, Phuket, Thailand are pleased to announce that we are now 100% Aware, the first Dive Centre on Phuket to achieve this.

What is 100% Aware?

100% Aware is a voluntary program that encourages dive centres around the world to promote the work of Project AWARE, a non-profit organisation that relies on financial support from environmentally concerned divers.

100% AWARE donations will target protection for the world’s most threatened shark species and the removal and prevention of marine debris from precious underwater environments. Together we can make ocean protection a reality.

Here at Scuba Cat Diving we certify hundreds of scuba divers each year, so our involvement in the 100% AWARE program represents a substantial investment on our part in the work being done by Project AWARE.

By joining 100% Aware we show our commitment to support the Project Aware movement of scuba divers protecting the ocean planet.

The Project Aware movement focuses on two major ocean issues – Sharks in Peril and Marine Debris, or rubbish in our Oceans.

There are many conservation issues converging on our ocean planet at once, but by concentrating on these serious problems where scuba divers are uniquely positioned to directly and positively affect real, long-term change, we hope to be able to make a positive, tangible difference in these two areas.

We believe this is our responsibility as leaders in the diving community and this is just one more way we can help and show our commitment.

The underwater world is not only ours to enjoy, but also ours to protect.

We`ve been working with Project Aware for years, and have a number of initiatives to promote environmental conservation

including:

• Underwater and beach clean-up activities
• Fundraising activities
• Conservation courses, including our new AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Course
• General awareness and promotion of conservation in everything we do.
• Artificial reefs
• We are also spearheading the campaign on Phuket to ban the trade of shark fins.
• As part of our partnership with Project AWARE, we also recently hosted Finley, Project AWARE`s own shark ambassador, as she toured the world promoting shark protection.

Shark Awareness at Molly Malones

What does this mean for you?

As a Scuba Cat Diving Student Diver, you will now receive the special limited edition Project Aware certification cards to stand out from the crowd and serve as a reminder of the importance of conservation.

Project Aware Certification Card

We encourage our students to make their own voluntary donations to Project Aware above and beyond ours.

Each time you take a Dive Course, you will be helping in the movement to address two major ocean issues – Sharks in Peril and Marine Debris

"Another first for Scuba Cat Diving"

Green Star Award Program 

 Go green and earn recognition for your conservation practices
with the new Green Star™ Award

On January 20^th 2012, Awarded Scuba Cat Diving, 5 * CDC, Phuket, Thailand, the Green Star Award for our dedication to environmentally responsible business practices and commitment to conservation of underwater habitats.

We are proud of being the first dive business in Thailand to be awarded such prestige. We are committed to to push our eco programs and practices to ensure the future sustainability of our Ocean Planet.

  Green Star Award Program

Did you fall in love with the aquatic realm the first time you went underwater? If you’re like most divers, your first experience meeting and greeting the denizens of the deep most likely left a lasting impression – and sparked a deep sense of caring about the health of our ocean planet.

On a more practical level, the commitment of divers to environmental conservation helps preserve dive sites around the world — so divers like you can return to favorite sites year after year.

There’s more to going green than simply jumping on the eco bandwagon.

The Green Star Award identifies Scuba Cat Diving as one that cares about the environment and is acting to protect it.

About the Award  

Dive Centres and Resorts who have earned the Green Star Award demonstrate a dedication to conservation across a wide range of business functions, including (but not limited to):

• Water conservation
• Energy use
• “Environmentally friendly” transportation practices
• Optimized waste management
• Use of sustainable materials
• Conservation leadership

Project Aware is a non-profit worldwide organization that was established in 1995 by in response to divers concerns about the potential damage of coral reefs through recreational and commercial water activities. The diving community has become aware that the man’s activities and natural disasters have led to a reduction in the natural reef systems worldwide.

Project Aware advocates, “Conserving underwater environments through education, advocacy and action”

Project Aware has several regional offices in USA (the Head Quarters), Asia Pacific, Europe, Japan and International.  These offices have been responsible for issuing grants to worthy causes. Over a 20 year period the Foundation has awarded grants ranging from $500 to $3000. The areas of funding have included:

Coral Reef Conservation

Shark Protection

Sustainable Fisheries

Ecotourism related to underwater activities

Aquatic education especially children

Direct conservation of underwater resources, for example, mooring buoys

In 2009 the Foundation expenditure for grants was a staggering $275,000 worldwide for 116 projects.

The Foundation is presently reworking the grant-giving program in order to align with Project Aware’s new mission and action plans for the future. It is hoped that details will be available from September 2011.

Education is paramount and Project Aware has many educational resources available including posters, publications, activity and learning kits, exhibits and lectures to mention a few. Education is a critical component in the protection of our oceans.  The oceans have been put under pressure due to the Earth’s expanding population and the ever-increasing use of disposable goods, which become discarded and can eventually make their way to the ocean, for example, plastic bags.  The Foundation actively encourage the education of children and have devised the AWARE Kids program, which teaches children about the underwater world and encourages activities for them to participate in, for example, beach clean-ups. There is an AWARE Kids Activity Book, which topics include coral reefs, sharks, whales, dolphins, whales, turtles and kelp forests. All the student activities correlate to National science Education standards. Education of children is important, as they are our ambassadors for our future.

Project Aware encourages regular events, for example, beach clean-ups, coral monitoring and donate as you dive campaigns. It is an organization that encourages divers worldwide to participate in activities such as underwater clean-ups, monitoring and reporting the state of the marine environment. Armed with information from divers it is possible to lobby governments for action on preservation and the conservation of the marine environment.

"Kath"

Project Aware has recently acquired a new logo and has become pro active in two main conservation areas. These campaigns are known as Sharks In Peril and Marine Debris. It is known that less than 1% of the ocean environment is protected. The shark campaign is trying to secure shark protection worldwide. Unfortunately, there are some species of sharks that are on the brink of extinction and without action the shark population will continue to be decimated. There is currently a petition, which will put pressure on Governments, particularly in countries that matter, to enforce policies to protect the shark population. There has been a victory in Europe, which has enforced a shark-finning ban.  The shark petition is in the form of a widget, this being the 21^st century online version of door-to-door canvassing. The widget can be uploaded to websites and blogs, so signatures can be acquired online.

The Dive Against Debris campaign enables divers to participate in a year round citizen science project highlighting the negative impact of trash in the marine environment and how to address the issue.  Data that is submitted to Project Aware gives a true picture of the debris issues. Currently, there are 180 countries that are actively collecting and reporting online with the help of a data card the type of underwater rubbish that is found. The data can be used to highlight “hot spots”, thus promoting further action in these areas. The diving community can be pro active and use tools available from Project Aware to connect with other divers who are organizing conservation activities in the area. The Foundation is an inspiration to divers who are the key to addressing debris issues on a global scale.

Project Aware has produced a book, which gives information on issues facing the underwater ecosystems. The environments covered include: coral reefs, temperate and tropical regions, oceans, lakes, rivers, fisheries management and diving aware. It is a comprehensive book that is used as teaching tool for the Project Aware Specialty. This is a worthwhile course and gives the diver a wealth of information.

One way of contributing to Project Aware is to make a donation when you are being certified for any Scuba Diving Course. The donation is 100% and goes to worthwhile causes. In return you will receive a limited edition certification card. This organization has been inspirational to many divers and continual action will make a difference!!

"Limited Edition"