There would be exams to test our knowledge at the end of the training, they emphasised that it was paramount to understand the material as it directly contributes to safety. In fact, we didn’t enter the water for a number of hours. An in depth explanation of the course, procedures and equipment were given to us.
After demoing the equipment usage to us it was finally time to put on some gear and try out some diving. On this occasion however it was already approaching midday, we had an early start but our first experience was not to be had in the ocean, rather, it was in the swimming pool to teach us how to use the equipment safely. Everything was explained with great detail and every student was reassured and looked after during the teaching session. We understood the procedures for setting up the equipment, terminology and entering the water. Once in the pool we were taught a number things including communication gestures, goggle cleaning and breathing techniques. I found the swimming posture particularly useful, swimming with flippers with a large tank on my back was a first but I felt weightless as I swam with the jacket inflating and giving buoyancy. My nerves had vanished and I was finally swimming under water calmly with the appropriate knowledge!
