UKDIVING
The Stoney Cove kitting-up ritual
Mary-Ann ’ s top tips
■ Send that email - life is short !
■ Leave your ego at the door – you don ’ t need to talk down your expertise or experience , but definitely don ’ t talk it up . If you ’ re not sure – say .
■ It ’ s normal to have lost some confidence – it will come back .
■ You ’ re going to have to replace some equipment . Budget accordingly , and take the opportunity to borrow before you buy - technology has moved on , and your preferences might have changed .
This is the first time I ’ ve not felt in control , and I ’ m not ready for it .
I force myself to take a couple of full , slow breaths . This is okay – there ’ s plenty of air – it ’ s supposed to feel like this – it ’ s just bubbles – you ’ re safe because you ’ re skilled – you ’ ve got this – this is why we practise … keep … calmmm . I eventually wrangle my mask back under my hood , then do it again . The second time feels more fluent , and I use less brain capacity keeping calm .
Skills drilled , we drop off the edge to 20m and again , fear needles me . It ’ s like we ’ re sinking into the void . A scrabbly voice in my head insists I head back to the sunshine above . I ’ ve forgotten how much diving is a mind game – you can ’ t hear anyone else ’ s voice but your own , so you ’ d better have some good chat . I crank into coaching mode – stay focused on the moment , don ’ t faff with your torch , just focus on slowing your breath .
Yes , it ’ s cold , but that ’ s okay . Yes , it ’ s dark ,
but that ’ s okay too . Breathe easy . Be cool . Instructor Clive waggles his torch at the wreck looming out of the darkness . I grab the rail and take a minute to orientate . It doesn ’ t help that my new mask keeps fogging up . I can ’ t tell what ’ s poor viz and what ’ s me not being able to see past the glass .
When we finally surface , I ’ m at 60 bar and my brain is full . The dive has been phenomenally useful – not only for identifying trim issues and which pocket my torch should go in , but for the reminder of what cold , murky depth feels like .
Smile ‘ till it leaks
With the Stoney Cove wake-up call under my belt , I feel ready for the ocean . I bag a place on a club weekend in Plymouth with Stortford Divers and Mid Herts , and find a willing buddy , club Chair , Simon Fitt-Stirling . The drive to the coast is fun , the WhatsApp group full of happy banter . I feel good .
The following morning steaming out to our first dive , the sun smiles down . I prep my kit at a pace that allows for self-vigilance . As skipper Pete Fergus eases the throttle and the shot line clatters overboard , I ’ m ready and focused . Simon and I complete buddy checks and shuffle our way to the back of the boat . With a tap on the shoulder , I ’ m into the water , surfacing in bubbles and with a hand firmly around the shot line . We signal OK and begin our descent . The water is wonderfully blue-green , and I smile hard enough that it leaks into my mask .
The James Eagen Lane is a straightforward dive , one that I ’ ve done before . The hulk of the superstructure materializes below us and a couple of large coley glow silver in our torchlight . They ’ re unfazed by our presence , and for a couple of minutes , we swim level with them ; it ’ s a fish-led wreck tour . What a privilege to be here . I breathe easy , signal to Simon , and swim on . Back in my element . �
Mary Ann explores HMS Colossus in the Isles of Scilly
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PHOTO : MIKE PITTS
How to help members return to diving
By Mid Herts Training Officer Russell Bruton
■ Find out what their objectives are and explain what you can offer as a club . They might be able to slot in to existing training sessions , or might need their own one-toone sessions .
■ Offer as much flexibility as possible . People with caring responsibilities might have to miss some weeks .
■ Create a plan together that will steadily progress their skills and confidence , from pool to sheltered water to open water . Check in with them regularly to see how things are going .
■ Remember – if you can help this person get back up to speed and committed to the club , you ’ ve fast-tracked a member with both diving and life experience who ’ ll hopefully pay it back to the club over time .