and how to move about . I learned about tuck and rolls and also how to clear a mask while wearing it underwater .
I loved it ! I signed up for the next available Ocean Diver Trainee Course .
Sub-C assembles
Ken Hilton , Sub-C ’ s Ocean Diver Training Officer , kept in touch , advising us of all the requirements for both BSAC and Sub-C Divers . We began the pool training in October 2020 and managed to attend two practical pool lessons before a further Covid-19 lockdown was announced . Sadly , we couldn ’ t continue the practical pool dives , but the club adapted and we continued the theory on Zoom meetings . I had a different instructor each week presenting each topic . We used the BSAC handbooks and chatted throughout . These theory sessions on Zoom continued right up until Christmas . It was another six months before the leisure centre was able to reopen its doors to the club , and in June 2021 I finally managed to get back into the pool to continue the practical lessons .
During this time , I had a few different instructors : Ian Gardener , Adam Chase , Nick Worthington , Stella Evison and Derek Ratcliffe . Each of them taught specific skills for the week . I even found myself a training buddy , Mike Foster , as we were regularly paired together .
Another new friend I made was John Hughes – the equipment officer . John made sure all my equipment was correct and available whenever I needed it . I also found his stash of biscuits . Yum !
Once I finished all the pool sessions , it was time to move onto actual open water . We went to Capernwray on 11 July for my first open water dive . I was very , very nervous . I was so nervous that I couldn ’ t even talk . I thought I was going to be sick with nerves . My instructor , Stella talked to me about what we were going to do . Meanwhile I was overheating in my drysuit and there was a lot to take in .
We got all kitted-up and headed for my first ever open water dive . I was amazed at how much there was to see . Stella is an amazing instructor and once in the water everything we had talked about started to make sense . We saw fish such as sturgeon and trout , two small sunken boats – which was amazing – and two metal horses . I sat on one which was so fun , but I ended up tumbling forward ! I think I also got a little too excited and used up far too much air .
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My second dive didn ’ t go as well , because I couldn ’ t equalise my ears . I was annoyed at myself . However , it did teach me early on that not all dives are going to be as successful as you ’ d hope .
As a consolation prize at the end of the day Stella and I ran and jumped off the edge of the docks , which was awesome and put the smile back on my face !
Setback and breakthrough
Just two weeks later I was on my way to go and do an actual ocean dive off a RIB in Anglesey ! Once again , my nerves kicked in as I had absolutely no idea what to expect . Thankfully my buddy Ian was fantastic . He reassured me that I could do it . Ian talked me through our dive site , the wreck of the Kimya , and what I should expect .
Ian promised not to take his eyes of me for a second ( which reassured my mum !) and advised there were no expectations of me , that we would just practice the skills I had already learned in the pool and Capernwray but in the ocean .
Once I was on the RIB the nerves just turned into excitement - I was diving in the sea ! However , the dive didn ’ t go very well because I couldn ’ t get my ears to equalise . Also , if I am being totally honest – I did kind of freak out . I looked down and I couldn ’ t see anything in this unknown environment ,
Stella and Amelia at Capernwray