Guest Blogger Gavin!

My friend Samirika and I have had about 28 open water dives each; ranging from Stoney Cove, Nemes, Swanage and the Maldives and we have both achieved our Dry Suit, Open Water and Advanced Open Water certifications.

I began thinking about how serious diving can be, with, for me, the emphasis on safety. Both of Sam and I have had scary experiences in the open sea since we started out, and both have learned our lesson.

I was thinking to myself, if anything happened underwater to my buddy (Sam), would I be able to do anything when put in a serious situation? And would Sam know how to react if something happened to me?

If the unthinkable did happen and I didn't know what to do, I would not be able to live with the guilt. The next logical step was to embark on the Rescue Diver Course.

One Saturday, we spent about 6 hours in the classroom, practising our knowledge review for the Rescue Diver Course; going over everything until it was all understood. We all sat our final written test (which was multiple choice), at the end of the day and thankfully, all passed.

Sunday was spent practising EFR (Emergency First Response), which is essentially a first aid course which has to be done before the Rescue Diver Course. This valuable course covers the basics of first aid for use in everyday life, not only diving. We went through the manual, covering all aspects and doing multiple choice questions, with a lot of hands on procedures including bandaging, CPR, and what to do in regards to controlling the scene of an accident, etc. It is good to now think I could be of some help if anything ever happened in everyday life.

The following Saturday we spent 4 hours in the deep pool, practicing all the rescue techniques and scenarios that we would take to open water to complete the course in real life situations. Having completed the course now, I believe it is vitally important to have practiced the skills in the pool first in a more relaxed environment. This enables you to complete the skills and perfect them the best you can with good visibility and little stress.

Sam and I now both feel confident in our abilities to get an unresponsive diver up to the surface, and get them back to shore. Every technique learned was so invaluable and will remain in my memory. You also learn what to look out for in other divers who may be in difficulty, not only yourselves. And you are much more alert to what is going on, learning what the potential hazards could be.

The next day, we were off to Nemes with Rhonda as our instructor for the day, meeting up at Nell's café, where a nice fry up was devoured by myself and Sam. We spent at least 5 hours in and out of the water putting our techniques into practice. Visibility was OK. There were a few sly strokes pulled by Rhonda and the other helpers. But all of a sudden a panicked diver would show up on the surface when you least expected it to happen and you had to act, both on your own and as a team.

Being in dry suits made it more of a challenge. It is not a simple course and it does test you rigorously. Having a good fitness level is definitely an advantage. The best part of the day was when we had to go out and find an unresponsive diver on the bottom, bring him up and then back to shore, taking both his equipment off and yours while still giving breaths while towing him back. You then have to continue rescue breaths and CPR when on shore.

I for one will be much more alert wherever I dive now, and if something happens to myself or my buddy, I will know that I can do everything I can to help, and Sam would have done everything she could if I was in danger; which may save a life.

We will both dive from now on with a new level of confidence. It really is the best PADI Course to do and I highly recommend it.

Thanks to Gary, Rhonda, Sharon, Joe Vanderson, and everybody else who helped out and made the course what it was!

Guest blogger Hollie!

Last weekend I headed to Open Water for the second time and despite the mild panic and uncomfortable level of anxiety, it was significantly more successful this time around. Not to mention, it was much more fun!

I have an issue with my mask. Taking it off, breathing without it and clearing it, all fill me with dread. It is without doubt a completely irrational fear, but no matter how many times I remind myself of that fact, it's a battle to stop my heart racing and my hands trembling.

It's a mental block and I have come to realise that only time and persistence can get rid of it. 

I went to Open Water for the first time back in November, alongside a voice in my head saying I couldn't do it. I panicked when I thought I had gone wrong and bolted for the surface - which was the worst thing I could have done - and in the end I jumped out of the water and refused to go back in (probably the second worse thing I could have done).

I have spent the last few months in the pool, taking my mask off every week to prove to myself that I could do it. As I swam around in South Woodham Ferrers I could feel the panic set in every time Gary's eyes would catch mine. I knew he would call me over and watch me until I accomplished a mask removal. There was no getting out of it and that sort of persistence was exactly what I needed.

I went to Open Water the second time more prepared, physically and mentally, and I persisted. There was no pressure, apart from that which I put on myself, and I knew Gary would have me at the surface in a flash if I went wrong, which I did... a few times.

I cannot fault his patience. He sat on the surface as I mentally prepared myself and simultaneously doubted myself, providing words of encouragement every time I had to come up and persuading me to keep giving it another go. 

Overcoming fear is a process, but nothing beats the feeling of walking out the water with a spring in your step because you had an incredible dive... And the incredible dives make the whole thing worthwhile. Besides, nothing boosts your confidence quite like facing your fears head on.

I left Open Water for the second time, the difference being that I was now a qualified diver. I also left this time knowing that the world wasn't going to end if I got a little water up my nose.

Bring on advanced!! 

Farewell Orca.

As I'm embarking on a new chapter in my life, I'm going to be finishing one too, my job at Orca. Working here for the last two years has been amazing. I've learned how to do business administration, finances, social media and obviously a lot about diving. I've learned how to fix regulators and how to clean BCD's properly. I've also learned that life is what you make of it and you can't pass up an opportunity. When I think of how little I knew about the diving industry and how shy I was to even answer the phone, it seems so far away. I can really see how far I have come as a person and that's all because of you.

So thank you to all of the Instructors for showing me guidance and helping me out when we were desperately short for staff. To the Dive Masters for having a joke and a laugh with me, for annoying me and always being there. To the Rescue divers for carrying a ton of kit around and doing everything you can to help out. To the shore support and to all of the people I've made an impact on. You have all shaped me into the person I am today, somebody that I'm proud to be.

Thank you to Gary for giving me the opportunity that nobody else would. Not only did he give me a passion for diving, a social group, a place where I felt safe, he gave me a reason to believe in myself and a reason to keep on fighting every battle. Nobody has ever taken a chance on me like Gary did. I'm so so so grateful to him for that.

I'd like to thank Rhonda for always being there when I need her and for all of her effort on my OW-MSD courses. Thank you to Jamie for being the DM on my OW and for bringing out my inner -weirdness...and for giving me abuse over the phone every week. To Nicole and Katie for being good friends who I can trust and be girly with. Thank you to Nick for calling me and Gary every day and cheering us both up. Thank you to Steve and Carole for inspiring me to be who I want to be. Thank you to Gill and Marcia for making me laugh so much on Thursday nights and for making me believe that everybody is worth something. Thank you to every single person at Orca. I can't say it enough. There are so many of you that have impacted my life and made me feel happy, loved, annoyed, frustrated and part of something unique and special. I'm truly going to miss working here everyday.

So what now?
I'm going to be working as a Section Planner at Network Rail. Then hopefully I'll be able to fund a few months travelling next year. I'm going to find the thing that I'm meant to do, something that drives me and something that I'm passionate about. I'm going to live my life in the way that I want, where I can look back when I'm 80 and think "wow I had some adventures". I'm want to inspire people and help then. And definitely dive in as many countries as possible.

But don't think that you've seen the last of me. I'll be back diving as much as possible so until then, farewell Orca.

May Catch Up!

CATCH UP!

After not writing a blog for the last few weeks, we thought we'd give you a big catch up on what we've been up to!
We've so far certified 22 Open Water divers, 100 DSD's, 36 specialty courses and 12 continuing education courses(AOW,Rescue,DM) as well as 8 EFR's! Our Master Seal Team of 8 have all completed their course and will be missed! The new Seal Team started last Thursday and they're all looking forward to the aqua missions!

Over the weekends, we've done:

• Full Face Mask
• Drysuit
• Wreck
• Deep
• Search and Recovery
• EFR

The week days have also been jam-packed as we've been working with Purleigh Primary, Cold Norton, Basildon Academies, South Essex College, Writtle College and we've been to meet a few new schools including Castledon Secondary! As well as this, the US Air-force have also been working hard to complete their Open Water courses! 

We went to the Red Sea to do Reefs and Wrecks liveaboard! Gary, Rhonda, Pete and everybody else had a lovely time. The dives were beautiful and the staff were very nice. We're now looking forward to the Maldives trip in August! There's still space if anybody wants to book onto it!

We've been to Scuba Fest in Cornwall and had an amazing time, the visibility was better than ever! 12+ metres on both days! We say lots of Cuckoo Wrass, Spider Crabs, Lobsters, Octopus', Starfish, Sun Starfish and even some Lesser-spotted Catsharks! As usual, we all went out for dinner on the Saturday and congregated at Gary's caravan on the Sunday! The weather was great on both days but there was a fair bit of rain on Sunday. So after a fantastic weekend of good food, even better diving and great company, we all headed back home on the Monday, ready for work the following day!

As the season is starting, a lot of people have been starting to buy new kit so we're always getting deliveries! We've now sold 2 Bare dry suits discounted from £1200 to £700!! We still have some dry suits on sale at all different prices so for more information, give the centre a call!

The new Carbon Black regs from Scubapro have also been a hit! They do look very nice and are some of the best regs on the market. They're designed for cold water but can also be used in warm water.

What have we got coming up?

July 9th/10th- For all of our staff and volunteers, we'll be heading up to Gillwell 24 to do DSD's for the whole 24 hours! We need as much help as possible so anybody willing to lend a hand, give Janie a call!

July 16th- we've got PADI's international women' day! Which means that we'll be in the pool from 12-5pm doing DSD's and plays with a twist! We're using the underwater speakers to have a little boogie underwater! As well as this, Chrissie is going to prepare some girly themed refreshments for afterwards! All proceeds go to Cancer Research Uk! So book your space today!

August 6th-14th- MALDIVES! We'll be jetting off to the beautiful Maldives on a boat of 7 so far! Where we're hoping to see plenty of sharks!

August 19th-21st- SWANAGE!! We're travelling up to Swanage to do some pier diving and boat diving! There's definitely a lot to see at Swanage, from wrecks to reefs, from Spider Crabs to Nudibranches!

Guest Blogger Lucy Renaud: Scuba Fest.

My name is Lucy, I'm currently studying Marine and natural history at Falmouth university, but my home town is Essex where I first learnt to dive with Orca scuba diving academy. I have only been diving for a year, but studying here in Falmouth is the perfect place to develop and improve my diving. I absolutely love the life I live here, just a completely different world from back at home. Relaxed, breath taking scenery, down to earth people (mostly hippies) and no better place to explore the mysterious underwater world.....

This is my first year living down here in Cornwall but also my first experience of the dive festival. It is held at Pentewan Sands holiday park, situated on the coast of St Austell. The whole campsite is taken over by us crazy divers !!!!
It's not just for the divers though, there were many activities and entertainment going on over the weekend: A blues band, a marquee full of dive equipment and lots of freebies, experience dives for the newbies to the diving world, photo and a fancy dress competition and of course lots and lots of shore diving. Or if that didn't take your fancy you could take a ride down to Porthkerris and grab a boat dive off of the historical wrecks or the reefs that are full of life.

As a dive group we did 2 boat dives on the Saturday and 2 on the Sunday. I actually only got round to doing one of these boat dives, unfortunately sometimes we all can be nervous when it comes to diving, there are many things we have to take into account when diving, especially a place you have never dived before. As the main man Gary says, if you are not going to enjoy the dive, leave it for another day. Diving is for enjoying yourself, being free and following your passion, its not to be panicked and make you stressed. So I sat out on Saturday, however still loved exploring the dive site and the down to earth people that worked there. I mean that's what its all about diving. Meeting new people that have the same love as you do, learning and teaching them stuff that either you or them may of not known. Getting to know different techniques and experiencing the diving together as a society.
Although I didn't dive on the Saturday I loved hearing from my friends, about there dives and how happy they were after, it filled me with joy. I did get a dive in on the Sunday though, which I'm happy in myself, as It was the first boat dive I have done. It is a lot different to a shore dive. But once you're under, it is so so much more exciting, the life down there, colours and growth makes you realise how important it is to protect our nature. It's what makes our planet keep going. It's not just about the marine life you see, the plant life down there is just indescribable, the Mermaid's glove the shapes it makes and the way it gentle moves with the current. The transparencies of the many anemone's you find on the coral reefs. Even coral alone is a wonderful exotic sight, especially when the light hits it. I saw lots of pink sea fan, which is usually common at depths greater than 10 metres. They are colonies of tiny creatures, so although they may just look like a plant, we must protect them too.

I truly agree that diving is an escape for many of us, and has changed many lives also, I mean myself I would of never of dreamed of living a life down here. In my eyes it is one of the most beautiful places in Europe. But I guess that is why it's important we do follow our dreams, and what more than a better way to do that by spending a whole weekend with like minded people, just exploring the deep blue. I would really recommend  to any of you new or well experienced divers to not miss next years dive festival, come join the life of being a scuba diver, I tell you, it's certainly a better way to life than any other.....

Fit to Dive: Entry 4!

Weight: 18.7

This week has been successful. Jay has stepped up the workouts and brought in much more balance on the Bosu & Ball. This helps to strengthen my core and work my abdomen. Each session starts with a 5 minute warm up and then goes straight into legs or arms (depending on the week). Leg workouts consist of squats, lunges, moving up and down a small step and often squatting on one leg (definitely great for a laugh) - I find the slow movement while remaining balanced hard to control, not to mention causing a lot of soreness the following day. 

Arm work outs include push ups, triceps push-ups (really tricky and currently I have to do them from my knees). Slam ball is another arm work out that is surprisingly hard. Throwing the ball to then run, pick it up and repeat for 1 minute is exhausting.

This week Jay undertook a brief check to measure my progress. The first time we met I could do 20 push-ups in 1 minute. This week I was up to 31. Step ups were also up, going from 30 to 45. I can also see improvement in my breathing, managing not to get out of breath as quickly and feeling generally fitter and stronger. It's definitely a great motivation to keep going. 

Next week I am off to the Red Sea for a week’s diving. Normally I drop some weight while diving for a whole week so hopefully I can keep on track while I'm away. Jay has already given me a strict workout to do while I'm on the boat! 

When I look back to a year and a half ago when I was 20 stone 6lbs, I realise how far I've come. Now I'm almost two stone lighting, running up the stairs and thinking about what I'm eating - it's a life change for the better. 

I'm still going out for meals and having the odd Big Mac but everything is in moderation. A balanced diet with exercise is helping me achieve my goals. 

Catch Up!!

This week has been very busy! With the Tuesday pool night where Ian H finished his Open Water course with Chesney and Adam who will be going to Open Water on 11^th/12^th April! DCY was working with Ryan and Rhonda started a new Open Water Course with Lawrence and Michael who decided to do the E-learning and then come to us for the pool work. It was great to see James Smyth back helping out as well. We also had a lot of students in from South Essex College who are doing their Open Water courses. https://youtu.be/JdSt8qDbt68

 Then on Wednesday we were in South Woodham Ferrers as part of our holiday program which we will be running throughout the school holidays. Thanks to John who helped out! One of the kids decided she really liked it and came back the next day to join in with the Seal Team. They were doing Search and Recovery using lift bags and search patterns. This is one of the many aqua missions that the kids can do.  Rhonda finished her Open Water course with Gaynor and Tracey. Rachel completed her swims and Nicole and Janie did their kit exchange. Janie has now completed her Dive Master course and is waiting for her cert card.

On Friday, we had a busy day in the Dive Centre checking all equipment and organising Gillwell 24 which is an event we do every year for scouts. This year we’re aiming to complete 600 DSD’s. Thanks to all of the staff who have agreed to help~!

Then onSaturday, Ian H and Levi were moulding some more lead whilst Ian.S was in the pool with his student on a 1:1 basis. Janie was in the shop sorting through all of the admin. Rhonda was in Open Water with her 3 students who did very well!

Here’ the link for PADI E-leaning, just in case some of you are interested! https://apps.padi.com/scuba-diving/elearning/