Can't Stop this New Class!

Austin, Swap (nickname), Jason, Dave, Nick, Coty, and Brandon gave spirited stories this morning about their passions for learning to dive. In our breaks I was privy to find out that Jason has had some interesting adventures in military diving, Dave is really dedicated to a long-time future as a scuba student, and Swap already has half of his equipment purchased! These guys were ready to dive now!

Step one in the pool is to start with the first few skills tests. The skill seemed routine for everyone during the 10 minute treading water exercise... but "hands-up and "feet-only" suggestions showed that everyone was prepared and ready for the challenge today!

DISCOVER Scuba Galore!

"Equalization" was the popular skill of the afternoon with a visit from a local Boy Scout troupe this afternoon! Equalization is the skill of taking pressure off of your air spaces (primarily your ears). The boys and friends and family stopped by and everyone who was water-worthy and adventurous was dunked in the pool and many new scuba enthusiasts were born!


Speaking of new enthusiasts, newly immersed scuba diver Stephanie happened to be quite intimidated by the "equalization" challenge of the deep end of the pool so she stayed happily behind to watch... for now!


Before I could join Stephanie in her 2nd DISCOVER tour this afternoon, I found her already diving and a new master of scuba diving equalization skills! I'm not completely sure, but given that she's already associating with one of our Open Water Diver classes in session, I have a feeling we'll be seeing her in the water again soon!

[For more class pics, click here]

GLDC Instructor Student Video

I'm so proud to be in the company of not only the area's most knowledgeable dive instructors but also in the company of the best peer scuba students in our instructor class! .

The following video was shot and produced by my friend and acclaimed extreme dive buddy, Mr. Frank Polk!

He not only rivals the most dedicated locals in his frequency of diving but obviously rivals them in his expertise in communicating his passion with this video... and all to the benefit of us lesser-experienced instructor students and aspiring new diving students!

Take a few minutes and enjoy his adventures...

Diver grapples with Tiger Shark!

This was the subject of "water cooler" talk at the Dive Shop this weekend, and after my report, I was summoned to produce my sources. Here's a link to a recount of the activity...

(Click Here!)

Rescue Divers Make Waves!

How can divers make waves without even getting in the water?

The Rescue Diver Course shows you exactly how to make waves without even getting in the water! Just as many of the critical aspects of the class happen topside as do under the sea!

Bob (second from right) instructs rescue students with the variety of options available to them in aiding a diving patient in recovery--the benefits of different pocket and resuscitation masks; both continuous and demand-flow regulated oxygen. DAN (Diver's Alert Network) is discussed as a critical piece of the rescue puzzle as is supplemental classes such as DAN's course offerings or PADI's Emergency Oxygen Provider. Call the experts at Great Lakes Dive Center for even more information!

Another dry student plays through a scenario where distressed divers can be helped without even entering the water. Actual experience leads to higher confidence in a multitude of situations--the result is a more prepared responder and more confident dive buddy!

What happens when you catch a big fish?! First you have to get it into the boat! Here, she demonstrates pulling a distressed diver up and out to safety.

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But any responsible angler knows the value of catch and RELEASE! So she decides to throw this fish back in the water to let another lucky Rescue Diver student test their skills. (BTW, No rescue diving student patients were harmed during this filming! ;-)

(Click here for more class pics.)