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Shark Conservation

Dec 10, 2011   //   by supernova   //   Blog  //  No Comments

Crystal Divers had a massive push to support  Project Aware in Shark Conservation petition; in total we collected over 1000 signatures! An enormous thankyou to all of our staff, interns, divemaster trainees and IDC candidates for making a huge effort to help Project Aware to protect our Sharks, but our efforts do not end there! Please follow the link to www.projectaware.org to see how you can help to have more Shark species protected, or come and join us at Crystal and sign our petition!

DIVE MASTER COURSE

Nov 25, 2011   //   by supernova   //   Interns Blog  //  No Comments

Dive master is the first pro level in diving. We already can be a guide and a teacher for refresher aka certified diver who long time didn’t dive. So they need to be refreshed about all the skills. There are some requirements to be a Dive Master: Certified as PADI AOW and Rescue Diver, 18 years old, Logged 40 dives, Complete the EFR training within 24 months, and of course the medical requirement as well.

To be the Dive Master is a different level with OWC until Rescue Diver level, in this level we will be trained as a professional who can lead a group or advice students. So we need to learn how to do all the things in the right way and using our good judgment. That’s why in this level, they will give us so many task to do like guiding, assisting, preparing, repairing, etc.

 

 

Beside the 9 chapter theory and 2 exams, we also need to complete some of the skills such as:

  1. 400 meters swimming
  2. 800 meters snorkeling
  3. 100 meters diver towing
  4. 15 minutes floating
  5. Equipment exchange
  6. Assisting confined water course
  7. Assisting Open water Dives
  8. Assisting theory open water course
  9. Assisting Advance Open water Dives
  10. Assisting Rescue Divers
  11. Skill Circuit
  12. Rescue no 7
  13. Deep work/ specialty
  14. S&R work/ specialty
  15. Assisting DSD Confined water
  16. Assisting DSD Open water
  17. Discover Local Diving ( or we can say guiding)
  18. Setting up the dive site
  19. Mapping
  20. Briefing
  21. Skin diving
  22. Physic
  23. Physiology
  24. Skills and equipment
  25. RDP
  26. Equipment
  27. Days with equipment boys
  28. Equipment service
  29. Scuba refresher
  30. Log dives

So far most of us already did some of the skills above like assisting open water ( in theory, pool and open water), assisting AOW, S&R work, Deep work, equipment service, and of course the log dive already 60 + :)

We were gathered in the pool side and this time Minni was giving us some tips to put our equipment in the right order and that’s the way the BCD should be prepared for all the customer. We also got a gift from Minni, the Crystal Bandana, and she had something to do with that bandana for the first task as DMT. We were asked to use the bandana to close our eyes while assembling and disassembling the BCD and regulator.. good gift and good way to use it :p We were needed to show it as if we teach students. We need to speak loud becase there were a lot of DMT around so our voice need to be louder than the others!!! Like Minni said in the first time, NO SHY in here! After this all the DMT jumped to the pool to do the 24 skills circuit with Minni.

We have time to do it slowly and of course with guidance from all our instructors in Crystal Divers, we need to try to be the best like always!

Junior Coral Reef Conservation!

Nov 22, 2011   //   by supernova   //   Blog  //  No Comments

As far as the environment is concerned, it is never to early to start! And on this note I was lucky enough to be invited to Sanur Independent School to conduct Project Aware’s Coral Reef Conservation along with 3 of Crystal Divers Internship students Vintty, Nico and Imam.

Junior Coral Reef Conservation!

We had a great afternoon taking over Science class with the grade 4 pupils talking about Reef formation, the various organisms that call the Reef ’home’ as well as the threats that Coral Reefs around the world face and what steps we can take to protect it!

As all of the kids have grown in Bali they have all had the opportunity to snorkel our local reefs and I was amazed by their enthusiasm and passion for protecting the underwater world; in fact I think that we had the longest Science lesson ever fielding questions from very interested students!

Now we are all looking forward to next term when we will be helping grade 4 to organise a beach clean up for the whole school; updates to come on the next blog. . .

Special thanks to Bayu Vangsgaard for helping me to organise this event!

The Self Reliant Diver

okt 11, 2011   //   by supernova   //   Blog, Crystal Divers, Divemaster  //  No Comments

Kitted up and Ready to go

As part of my continuing education in diving, not just the gaining of experience, I decided that I would rather enjoy undertaking the Self Reliant Diver Course, a relatively new course from PADI. My aim being that once qualified, I could complete the necessary qualifying dives to undertake the instructor qualification.

First let me say that self reliant diving is not Solo Diving. The self reliant dive training provides you with another skill set that increases your ability for self rescue, identify and anticipate problems before they become life threatening and equip you with the skills to extract yourself from a situation should it arise.

Diving without a partner requires you to be willing to make the required commitment to train and equip yourselves properly and to accept the added risks involved. You must have the right attitude and ability to dive independently. This is true in other adventure sport activities such a solo rock climbing.

Diving without a partner requires the right attitude and equipment. This includes, but is not restricted to redundant air sources, specific dive planning and management of independent diving problems and emergencies. However, no amount of redundant equipment can effectively back-up a diver’s brain better than another individual

In simple terms, responsible independent scuba diving is not for everyone; however it does have a place. So, who should develop self –reliant diving skills and why? The course will appeal most to photographers, videographers, traveling divers, wreck divers and TecRec Divers. This is by no means an exhaustive list and will appeal to anyone with the necessary course pre-requisites.

Having completed the necessary pre diving study and knowledge reviews, we traveled to Tulamben on Monday 10th October to complete the three qualifying dives. Having gone through some very thorough pre-dive planning and briefing we kitted up ready for the first dive. We were certainly carrying much more equipment that normal; redundant equipment that is either critical for survival or critical to the dive objective’s success. This included a backup 4.7 ltr cylinder, complete with regulator and SPG. This would allow us the opportunity to initiate an emergency exit from a life-threatening situation without undue stress and with a minimum of confusion in the event of a major equipment malfunction.

Entry for Dive One

During the first dive we were required to complete a number of skills, which were, with all standard and specialized equipment, conduct a buoyancy check at the surface, complete a 200m surface swim, demonstrate neutral buoyancy by hovering for one minute, perform a relaxed, nonstop 200 meter surface swim, demonstrate the ability to switch to a redundant air supply system, simulating a regulator free flow and breathe from the redundant air source for at least two minutes, perform a SAC rate swim by swimming for approximately five minutes at a level depth, recording the appropriate information for later calculation and deploy a lift bag or DSMB from the bottom. All skills were completed without issue and one skill that was practiced a great deal was switching to our alternate air source, which had to be done one handed and within thirty seconds.

 

Swimming without a mask

After our required surface interval, we kitted up again for dive 2. During this dive we would have to complete further skills, comprising of demonstrating time, depth and gas supply awareness by writing the depth and cylinder pressure on a slate at 10-minute intervals, swim at depth for at least two minutes covering a distance of at least 18 meters without a mask. We would also have to whilst continuously swimming, simulate an out-of-air emergency and change from our primary air supply to our redundant air supply system within 30 seconds, then breathe from the redundant air supply system for at least two minutes, complete two navigation exercises, perform a SAC rate swim by swimming for five minutes at a level depth recording the appropriate information for later calculation and deploy a lift bag or DSMB from the bottom. Again, one of the key components and something practiced repeatedly throughout the dive was switching from our primary to redundant air supply. Again, all skills were completed and there was even time to interact with the aquatic life, especially the turtle that seams to have taken up residency on the wreck.

Swimming without a mask

Ready to go our seperate ways

After lunch, we began our third and final qualifying dive. For this dive we were truly diving alone but it was not just a fun dive. The instructor gave us our briefing for the dive and set us our tasks. This was to demonstrate time, depth and gas supply awareness by writing the depth and time on a slate for each 20 bar of gas consumed, demonstrate turn around pressure and time limit awareness when either the pressure or time limit established during the briefing is reached by writing the time (if pressure limit reached first) or the pressure (if time limit reached first) on a slate, demonstrate navigational control and return to the exit with no assistance from the instructor and while continuously swimming, simulate an out-of-air emergency and change from your primary air supply to your redundant air supply system within 30 seconds At the conclusion of the dive we then had to deploy a lift bag or DSMB and ascend to the surface, stopping at 5 metres/15 feet for a three minute safety stop and most importantly surface from the dive within the established time frame and with no less than the planned pressure remaining in the cylinder.

Through the Wreck

The third dive was a new experience, diving alone and with no buddy. We have all no doubt at some time or other been alone for a short while but to do a whole dive alone was something new. What was noticeable during this dive was that you checked your dive computer more often than usual and you became more aware of your surroundings and where other divers were, just in case.

At the end of the third dive we had completed all the skill requirements and were now qualified as Self Reliant Divers. Twenty more self reliant dives and instructor qualification beckons. The benefits of completing this course are not about diving alone. It is about being self reliant, equipping you with the skills and knowledge to be a better diver, able to self rescue if the need ever arose. These are certainly skills that anyone should have and teaches you how to manage situations where you may be separated from your buddy for extended periods of time.

Deploying the DSMB whilst on redundant air supply

If you want to do the Self Reliant Course, then there is no better place than Crystal Divers. Take a look at the Courses Section and see what is entailed.

DDD

 

Mola-Mola. The Sunfish

okt 9, 2011   //   by supernova   //   Blog, Crystal Divers  //  No Comments

Bali has its fair share of dive sites, located as it is in the Golden Triangle, where there is a spectacular array of marine life and bio-diversity.

Bali has some of the best diving in the world, often featuring in the top 10 dive destinations of the world. Whether you want to dive a wreck, see fantastic coral, dive with turtles and sharks or you just have a hankering for macro life, Bali has it all to offer.

One of the most strange aquatic visitors to Bali has to be the Mola-Mola or Sunfish as its often referred to; a name it got because of its habit of floating at the surface with its side facing the sun, almost as if it were sunbathing.

Mola’s are shy creatures but during the season are often seen around Crystal Bay, Nusa Penida and Candidasa to name just a few sites. They can be seen at the cleaning stations or just transiting through on their way back to the depths. Most often seen at 20 metres plus, they can be seen swimming at shallower depths; indeed only today, a group of divers on their way to Manta Point saw and snorkelled with a Mola at the surface. Stories of Mola breaching and leaping into the air have been heard on more than one occasion, the reason for which is they are attempting to rid themselves of parasites.

What can be frustrating to divers is the actions of others, who pursue and harass the mola, trying to get that ’perfect shot.’ More often than not this results in the mola disappearing back to the depths, on occasion pursued by obsessed divers, oblivious to the danger they present to themselves and others. Or you get the odd diver that wants to touch the mola, often not realising that this removes the coating that covers all fish, causing immense pain, similar to third degree burns and which can result in the death of the fish.

Mola are a majestic, albeit odd looking fish and are best viewed from a calm and considered distance. There is no need to chase the Mola; quite often they are curious and will swim towards you, playing in your exhaled bubbles. It is down to all us divers to treat the underwater realm with respect, remembering to take only pictures and leave only bubbles.

If you want to see the Mola then Bali is the place to come and Crystal Divers has certainly a very good record when it comes to spotting these fantastic fish. With Toto, Asmui and Amin leading you, your chances are good as they have many years of experience and have seen many many Mola between them.

It is always special diving in Bali but its becomes magical when you see these amazing and yes, strange fish.

Please have a look at one of our videos of an encounter with this beautiful creatures

Crystal Divers – Mola

DDD

Interns & DMT Skin Diving

okt 9, 2011   //   by supernova   //   Blog, Crystal Divers, Divemaster, Interns Blog  //  No Comments

As part of the Interns and Dive Master Trainees (DMT) continuing education, one requirement is to undertake the Skin Diving Course. It is one of the many skill sets that form part of every Dive Masters training. Here at Crystal Divers a little fun is injected into the training and every participant is assigned with coming up with a skill or game that can be used during the course. Any number of games are thought up and whilst fun, they do have a great deal of added value.

The ideas for the games are varied and diverse and it never ceases to amaze the ingenuity of those that come up with them. Games vary from the simple to the more inventive. Examples of the games were swimming from one end of the pool to the other, swim through a submerged hoop and collect as many weights as possible before returning to the other end; diving from one end of the pool to the other, exchanging masks underwater, writing your name on a slate before returning underwater to the other end.

Other games played were swimming around the edge of the pool whilst keeping one fin out of the water. No easy task and if you don’t believe it, try it. Another popular game was two skin divers battling underwater to try and remove the others mask whilst keeping hold of your own. More often it would be a draw as each of the players lost their own mask. One skill game that brought out the competitive nature of those taking part was the longest breath hold, with some showing themselves to be as near to fish as possible.

 

But by far the most inventive game was one thought up by Wulan, combining ’aquatic life trivial pursuit’ questions with skin diving tasks. She gave each diver a clue as to the identity of an aquatic life form and then the diver had to swim underwater to the far end of the pool and find the weight with the correct answer. Some wrong answers meant the diver returning with the wrong weight and an early exit from the game.

Whilst the games and skills were fun, there was added value, from breath holding techniques, finning techniques to buoyancy control when navigating though the submerged hoola-hoops. All skills that are important to the skin diver but also the diver in terms of buoyancy. Not breath holding of course as all divers know the most important rule of diving;

”NEVER HOLD YOUR BREATHE”

In all it was a most enjoyable experience for those partaking and is testament to the internship at Crystal Divers. I have no doubt that the interns will go from strength to strength, becoming amazing Dive Masters and Instructors.

DDD

 

First Baby on Boat with Crystal Divers

okt 5, 2011   //   by supernova   //   Interns Blog  //  No Comments

One day, I had trip to Manta Point with Holly and 4 guests. Guess what, they consist of 3 adult and 1 baby! Yeah sounds weird in first time but it’s the guest requested to Crystal so we just gave the best experience for all of them. This time also the first fun dive I did with one of my great instructor, Holly MacLeod, never been diving with Holly for fun dive before and It was GREAT^^

Early morning we gathered in Crystal to sign and check anything before we leave Sanur heading to Manta Point. The guest was pick up in Hyatt Hotel, 5 min from crystal and they were really took a baby with them. He is 2 months cute little baby boy, Nicholas, and I can say adorable. Holly and I were thinking how about the propeller machine sound, would it made the baby cry all the time… hmm lets see.

Ok, now we were on the boat and I did the briefing before we started our journey to manta Point… apparently all the things that we were afraid of were not come true. The baby didn’t cry at all because of the boat machine sound… .wow that’s really cool! He was sleeping all time and only cry because he was hungry – well you know a baby right ;). The parents went dive with their baby with the Nanny… that’s really nice to know that 2 months baby can go with the boat, maybe I can take my (future) baby to the boat as well 😉

The journey went really well except something problem with new BCD one of them, beside that it was under control, we saw MANTAS – and we were alone! Ted and Alejandra were really had a good time with us and they decided to take another trip with the baby also (and the nanny of course).

Have fun and enjoy your trip in Bali for Ted, Alejandra and cute Nicholas!

Dive Against Debris 27.09.2011

sep 28, 2011   //   by supernova   //   Blog  //  No Comments

A big thank you to all of the 26 volunteers who joined us for Crystal Divers first ever Dive Against Debris!! Crystal Divers staff, interns and divers all gave up their time to help us clean up our house reef here at Sanur.

Together we managed to haul up approximately 86 kilos of Debris, and after all of that hard work all of our volunteers were rewarded with a fulll lunch spread back at Crystal Divers base!

A great day for a great cause – we are all looking forward to next months Dive Against Debris already; watch this space for the latest dates. . . .

Wulan’s 100 dives

sep 23, 2011   //   by supernova   //   Interns Blog  //  No Comments

April… May… June… July… August… September…

6 months already I has been joined the Diving Internship program with Crystal Diver. I, as one of the new diver among the other interns, did my first dive with Crystal Divers. Still remember how nervous and hard to equalize when I did my first dive in Bali. I learnt more and more how to be a good and responsible diver since then.

I got more knowledge and information with stepping up into the higher level of PADI education. Start with the open water until now I started my Dive Master Course. Every dive has their own memory to me, even not all of them are good. These experiences, bad or good, will make my journey become colorful. I learnt from the bad experience and tried to avoid it to happen again in the future. Good experiences were a starting point to be better than before.

I also got so many new friends from diving. Our instructor already became part of our diving and they always support me and my friends. The DM trainee and new Instructors became good friend of us. Some guests are still being an ordinary guest but some of them became a friend. We shared our moment together and blended into one family. I can say “PADI family” which brought us into one, no matter where we from, how old we are…

Today, 20 September 2011, is my 100 dives – even i didn’t do the naked dive :p and beyond of the plan before – allow me to thank everyone who involve with every dives I ever did. My intern’s friend, my Course Director, All of my Instructors, All PADI staff, All of my friends from Crystal Divers, and all of guests in Crystal Divers… Thank you for taking part of it!

 

BUT….

It’s not the end of my diving journey! I’m still looking forward to other dives and new experiences with all the divers! Keep diving and be a responsible diver when ever you dive ^^

 

Learning to blog ;-)

sep 23, 2011   //   by supernova   //   Minnis Blog  //  No Comments

 

New times in Crystal Divers – We’re learning to blog. So from now on you can follow us and get all the news served directly on your computer. However we do still hang out at Crystal in the evening, so you’re of course also more than welcome to come and get the latest news in live 😉 See you around.

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