WK 17: Still Having Fun

The sand soothes my sore feet like a pillow with every step. Blisters cease to burn. Scrapes and sores fade from perception. There are cuts and tears everywhere, but the pain subsides with each step along the moonlit oceanfront. I run.

Half asleep, half awake I run the length of Beau Vallon Beach at dark-thirty in the morning. Toes and heels sink deeply as they attempt to leave a trail but waves curl up around my heels, covering any trace of my passing like a blanket. Only the moon knows my path but she too is fading fast as dawn approaches.

In a few hours, I'll be back on this very beach, my footprints lost among hundreds in the sand. I'll be running about, kitting up customers for their daily dives as the morning light wakes up Beau Vallon Beach. Clamoring about with client's kits, I'll make sure everything is settled and sorted for the daily dives. It will be an orderly chaos as dive sites are confirmed, kits are loaded, and spare tanks checked. Though the morning run along the beach will have focused my thoughts and muscles for the day and I'll be ready for whatever the ocean decides to toss my way.

*****

Despite my forever raw blisters from poor fitting fins, this past week was pretty spectacular. I've successfully passed my Divemaster Exams Part 1 & 2, allowing me to focus on the last few skills for certification. In the water, I enjoyed a deep dive at Aldabaran Wreck and had an incredible fun dive at L'ilot where I had one of my best dives to date!

Having completed my Divemaster Exam was like having rays of sunshine pierce through a rain cloud above me. A flurry of positivity swelled up inside me as I reviewed my answers. With the written exam out of the way I spent the rest of the week focused on and in the water, one fin kick closer to Divemaster certification.

On Sunday, I dove at Aldabaran Wreck with Sylvain, the Blue Sea Divers' owner, and Simon, fellow Divemaster intern. Diving with Sylvain was (and always is) entertaining. He is much more experienced, knowing each dive site's secrets. Sylvain showed Simon and I a few swim-throughs and places to venture into like the ship's navigation room and main staircase. Being smaller than my fellow divers, I was able to surprise Sylvain by looping about the staircase, swimming out of the darkness through a different door than he expected. It was a lot of fun to maneuver through the ship's watery passageways at 40 meters below sea level. Whenever we've gone to Aldabaran it's always been a good dive, and Sunday was no exception.


I surprised myself and Simon at L'ilot the other day. The two of us had a fun dive and I've never had such luck spotting ever! From furry nudibranchs to scorpionfish and even a reef octopus, I could not stop finding creatures. Discovering the first reef octopus would have been the highlight of my week had it not been for the second octopus I spotted later as it swam gracefully from its hiding place in a rock crevice. Simon and I spent a good deal of time watching it change colors, camouflaging itself with the surroundings as we drew closer. When we surfaced after 50 minutes, we found ourselves only halfway around the island, having spent so much time having fun!

It's a bit crazy to think there's just a little over a month left before I return to the states. In the meantime, I'll just keep swimming, filling my days with dives and memories to last more than a few lifetimes.

Seychelles Dive Log #8

By the Numbers: Bi-Weekly Dive Log
Dive #92 (BSD 41)	10/7/2011
Dive Time: 09:32	Bottom Time: 42 minutes
Max Depth: 17.9 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 6-8 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 120 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit over 3/2 shorty, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weight in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Coral Garden w/5 clients. Nudibranch, cowrie.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4290 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #93 (BSD 42)	10/7/2011
Dive Time: 10:49	Bottom Time: 54 minutes
Max Depth: 14.4 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 6-8 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 120 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit over 3/2 shorty, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weight in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Lead Assist Dive @ Aquarium. Juvenile peppered moray eel x2, nudibranch x2, yellow-margined moray, cleaner wrasse.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4344 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #94 (BSD 43)	12/7/2011
Dive Time: 09:43	Bottom Time: 43 minutes
Max Depth: 19.6 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 4-6 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 150 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Coral Garden w/Adam, 4 clients. Lionfish x2, Porcupine x2, nurse shark (1.5 m), nudibranch.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4387 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #95 (BSD 44)	12/7/2011
Dive Time: 11:09	Bottom Time: 52 minutes
Max Depth: 23.6 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 4-6 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 140 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Fun Dive @ Twin Barges & Corsair Reef w/Adam. Porcupinefish, juvenile peppered moray x3, nudibranch x3, painted lobster, lionfish x6.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4439 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #96 (BSD 45)	12/7/2011
Dive Time: 18:31	Bottom Time: 59 minutes
Max Depth: 14.6 meters	Water Temperature: 25
Visibility: -
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 150 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Night Dive @ Aquarium w/Adam, Simon. 100th Dive (96th in Seychelles)! Lobsters! Shrimp! Zebra moray eel, scorpionfish, porcupinefish.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4498 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #97 (BSD 46)	15/7/2011
Dive Time: 18:28	Bottom Time: 50 minutes
Max Depth: 24.5 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: -
Air Consumption: 210 bar - 130 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Night Dive @ Twin Barges w/Adam, Susanne. Self-inflating BCD on descent, disconnected low-pressure inflator hose. Huge pufferfish, porcupines!, painted lobster, juvenile dragon moray x2, peppered morays.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4548 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #98 (BSD 47)	16/7/2011
Dive Time: 09:50	Bottom Time: 40 minutes
Max Depth: 13.1 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 5-7 meters
Air Consumption: 210 bar - 120 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Lead Assist Dive @ Sunset Rocks w/Susanne, 2 clients. Porcupine x3, yellow-margined moray eel, peppered moray x4, conch x2, COT x3, lionfish x2, scorpionfish, angler/scorpion?
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4588 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #99 (BSD 48)	16/7/2011
Dive Time: 11:23	Bottom Time: 36 minutes
Max Depth: 22.5 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 5-7 meters
Air Consumption: 210 bar - 120 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Twin Barges w/Susanne, 2 clients. Porcupine x2, lionfish, peppered morays, trumpetfish.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4624 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #100 (BSD 49)	17/7/2011
Dive Time: 09:50	Bottom Time: 38 minutes
Max Depth: 22.1 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 5-7 meters
Air Consumption: 210 bar - 130 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Twin Barges w/2 clients.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4662 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #101 (BSD 50)	17/7/2011
Dive Time: 11:32	Bottom Time: 61 minutes
Max Depth: 11.8 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 5-7 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 100 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Sunset Rocks w/4 clients.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4723 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #102 (BSD 51)	17/7/2011
Dive Time: 15:00	Bottom Time: 52 minutes
Max Depth: 4-6 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 4-6 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 80 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Lead Dive @ L'ilot w/2 clients.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4775 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #103 (BSD 52)	18/7/2011
Dive Time: 09:25	Bottom Time: 54 minutes
Max Depth: 13.6 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 13-15 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 130 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 12L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Navigation Dive w/Susanne @ Sunset Rocks. Leaky regulator. Pipefish, lionfish x3, juvenile peppered moray x3, moray, scorpionfish, clownfish x2, stingray (1.5 meters), COT x2.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4829 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #104 (BSD 53)	18/7/2011
Dive Time: 11:21	Bottom Time: 35 minutes
Max Depth: 15.2 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 13-15 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 150 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket (-1kg for client during dive), 10L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Lead Assist Dive w/Susanne, 5 clients @ Aquarium. Leaky regulator. Lionfish x2, scorpionfish, nudibranch.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4864 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #105 (BSD 54)	18/7/2011
Dive Time: 15:09	Bottom Time: 44 minutes
Max Depth: 22.8 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 13-15 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 150 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 1kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (32/33).
Notes: Advanced Course w/Ara, 2 clients @ Twin Barges.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4908 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #106 (BSD 55)	19/7/2011
Dive Time: 09:52	Bottom Time: 36 minutes
Max Depth: 18.8 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: ~30 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 140 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket (-1kg for client), 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (32/33).
Notes: Lead Assist Dive @ Lighthouse w/Vera, 4 clients. Early ascent with client on reserve air. Eagle ray, marble ray, hawksbill turtle, mantis shrimp, baracuda.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4944 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #107 (BSD 56)	19/7/2011
Dive Time: 11:36	Bottom Time: 38 minutes
Max Depth: 18.1 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: ~30 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 160 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket (-1kg for client), 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (32/33).
Notes: Lead Assist Dive @ Baie Ternay w/Vera, 5 clients. Early ascent with client on reserve air. Eagle ray x2, spanish dancer eggs, clownfish x2, arabian boxfish.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4982 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #108 (BSD 57)	21/7/2011
Dive Time: 14:51	Bottom Time: 35 minutes
Max Depth: 11.9 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 5-7 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 140 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Sunset Rocks w/1 client. Nudibranch x3, lionfish x2, zebra moray.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 5017 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #109 (BSD 58)	21/7/2011
Dive Time: 18:48	Bottom Time: 49 minutes
Max Depth: 17.1meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: -
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 130 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit over 3/2 shorty, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Night Dive @ Twin Barges w/Natacha, 4 clients. COT on shallow barge. Madness. Lost dive computer at harbor.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 5066 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #110 (BSD 59)	22/7/2011
Dive Time: 09:19	Bottom Time: 49 minutes
Max Depth: 26.4meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 5-7 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 80 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (34/35).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Dredger Wreck & Reef w/Susanne, 4 clients. Porcupine, juvenile peppered moray x4, lionfish. Lost 50 bar inflating anchor parachute due to leak.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 5115 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #111 (BSD 60)	22/7/2011
Dive Time: 11:15	Bottom Time: 35 minutes
Max Depth: 15.6 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 5-7 meters
Air Consumption: 230 bar - 150 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (34/35).
Notes: Lead Assist w/Susanne @ Grambazar w/4 clients. Early ascent. Lionfish, COT x3, clownfish x2. Found dive computer!
Seychelles Bottom Time: 5150 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters

WK 16: Search & Rescue

Sunset, North Mahe, Seychelles

Bel Ombre's harbor is a symphony of nautical proportions. A fisherman barks orders to his crew as his boat returns to port with the day's catch. Hands pull, feet scuffle and eyes focus in concert. Chains clank rhythmically with the waves and engines roar and rev. An all but attentive audience of onlookers chatter idly, adding a subtle drone to the daily movement.

The harbor is silent below the surface of its oil slicked waters. Sound is muted. Sand and silt obscure my vision. In this sensory abyss, a heightened sense of despair wells up inside my chest. I combat the hopelessness, squinting my eyes in an effort to pierce through the murky water. I strain my ears, hoping to hear an electronic alert shatter the underwater silence. There is nothing. Nothing but sand and silt.

I've scoured the bottom of the harbor for what seems like an eternity. My dive computer is somewhere here below the waves of the world, nestled in the sand, settling in the silt. Silent. I am about to give up completely, call it quits. The sea has won this battle. Who am I to wrestle with waves that rock the world?

Surfacing between the two Blue Sea Divers' boats, I tread water and let my gaze wander. The sun is low in the afternoon sky. I tread water. Clouds drift lazily in the atmosphere. I tread water. Ferry terns dart playfully above the harbor. I tread water. Fifteen minutes of pain flash before my eyes jolting me back to the present moment- I can't give up now.

I take a breath and dive down for one last search. Disregarding my futile search pattern I estimate the distance from shore and dart below the tethered boats. No sound. No sight. Just sand and silt, silt, silt... Then, as I draw close to the end of my breath I see something materialize from the muck. Directly beneath the boat, my dive computer sits silently on the sand, half buried in silt and still logging a 'dive' over 900 minutes at 2.5 meters.

Search. 

Recovery. 

Success.

*****

Batfish and I

I'm halfway through the divemaster internship at Blue Sea and still surprises abound. Last Sunday, I was the dive shop's solo divemaster; later on in the week I survived one of the most chaotic night dives in history; and despite the odds, I rescued my dive computer from the ocean's grasp. On land and underwater, the week was nothing short of amazing.

Sunday was intense. I was the only divemaster in the shop. Sleep deprived and slightly miffed at being left to dry, I was hardly in a good mood. I shook off the morning blues and led all 3 dives, letting the water clear my head of lingering negative thoughts. Had my fellow divemasters not chosen to bask in the sun adjacent to the shop, my day would have been brighter for sure. But I kept a cool head, focusing on the day's dives and each one's unique experience. The mental effort was more taxing than the fifteen minute tread.

I was supposed to take Thursday off- but didn't want to miss out on dives, so I went to work after lunch. I led the afternoon dive at Sunset Rocks and partook in a night dive that will go down in history (if it hasn't already) as one of the most ridiculous diving pursuits of all time. It started out so well. The boat was waiting. We had our four clients kit up and ready to go. Then, a few men sauntered in and inquired about diving. For better or worse, the boss was more than happy to accommodate the four boisterous fellows. After that, everything fell to pieces.

The dive plan was scrapped and a new one scribbled down to accommodate doubling the number of divers. Kits were thrown together and rushed out to the boat. Time was stretched thin as silhouettes clambered about in the day's waning light. It was shear madness and the situation only got worse underwater.

Underwater solace

I led the four loud men with Natacha. They blazed through their air and waved their flashlights about haphazardly, disregarding any guidance or effort from Natacha and myself. I must have repressed most of the memories from that night. The moments I do recall are singular snapshots: underwater chaos, beams of light, sitting alone at the bottom of the ocean in disbelief, the safety stop with Natacha as we recovered from the night's unexpected exertion, and the sound of my dive computer as it hit the water, disappearing instantly at Bel Ombre's harbor. It was a most amazing night in some of the worst possible ways.

Thankfully, I survived the week's challenges and experienced the upside-of-down when I rescued my dive computer. It was a trying time in and out of the shop. Though stretched thin and pushed to my limits, I can honestly look back and say that it was a good week.

WK 15: 100 Days, 100 Dives

It's hot. Flames dance about me, framing my figure in a circle of fire. I concentrate on not setting myself aflame, attempting to complete a flurry of twirls and spins. If done correctly, the movement will appear effortless. If not, I'll endure the same fate as the fish and burgers on the BBQ. No need to fret. I've never done this before, but I don't worry. I don't sweat. It's a tango with fire, so I dance.

****

It was a long week, but as the fatigue settles into the marrow of my bones, I know I've been working well. Leading dives, ensuring an enjoyable and quality diving experience is taxing, but worth the smiles and looks of enchantment when a customer comes face to face with a shark or has a chance to swim with a turtle. Every day I learn something new, every day I breathe a little deeper and swim a little stronger. This is living fully.

I've logged over 100 dives and passed the 100 day mark since arriving in the Seychelles. Somehow, I'm still kicking (literally). A thousand thanks to family and friends, near and far- you are truly my inspiration to live more fully by being a part of my life. Here's to the next 100!

Seychelles Dive Log #7

By the Numbers: Bi-Weekly Dive Log
Dive #73 (BSD 22)	27/6/2011
Dive Time: 09:41	Bottom Time: 50 minutes
Max Depth: 14.5 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 5-7 meters
Air Consumption: 210 bar - 150 bar
Gear: BSD full 3/2 wetsuit, 1kg weight in Junior BSD BCD pockets, 12L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Grambazara w/Adam, 2 clients. DSMB ascent. Puffer under rock, nudibranch x2, COT x3, eagle ray (~1 meter), red murex shell, peppered moray, huge hawksbill (~1 meter carapace).
Seychelles Bottom Time: 3387 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 40.8 meters
Dive #74 (BSD 23)	27/6/2011
Dive Time: 11:15	Bottom Time: 57 minutes
Max Depth: 11.8 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 5-7 meters
Air Consumption: 150 bar - 80 bar
Gear: BSD full 3/2 wetsuit, 1kg weight in Junior BSD BCD pockets, 12L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Fun Dive @ Sunset Rocks w/Adam. Sent up anchor parachute. Large moray, giant conch, COT.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 3444 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 40.8 meters
Dive #75 (BSD 24)	28/6/2011
Dive Time: 09:39	Bottom Time: 42 minutes
Max Depth: 12.9 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 5-7 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 170 bar
Gear: BSD full 3/2 wetsuit, 1kg weight in Junior BSD BCD pockets, 12L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Aquarium w/Natacha, Simon, 2 clients. Peppered moray, possible Alveopora!
Seychelles Bottom Time: 3486 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 40.8 meters
Dive #76 (BSD 25)	29/6/2011
Dive Time: 09:42	Bottom Time: 39 minutes
Max Depth: 3.7 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 5-7 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 190 bar
Gear: BSD fshorty 3/2 wetsuit, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weight belt, Junior BSD BCD, 10L ST Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Skills dive @ Beau Vallon w/Ara, Simon. Extremely overweighted to ensure negative buoyancy for underwater gear swap/buddy breathing; demonstration of underwater mask removal/replacement (r/r), regulator retrieval, weightbelt r/r; demonstration of surface BCD r/r, weightbelt r/r.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 3525 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 40.8 meters
Dive #77 (BSD 26)	29/6/2011
Dive Time: 14:44	Bottom Time: 58 minutes
Max Depth: 17.1 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 4-6 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 120 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit, IST Proline LS Rashguard, Junior BSD BCD, 10L ST Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Fun dive @ Aquarium w/Sylvain, Susanne, Adam. Cowrie x2, marble ray (1-1.5 meters).
Seychelles Bottom Time: 3583 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 40.8 meters
Dive #78 (BSD 27)	30/6/2011
Dive Time: 10:31	Bottom Time: 53 minutes
Max Depth: 4.9 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 4-6 meters
Air Consumption: 210 bar - 180 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 shorty, IST Proline LS Rashguard, Junior BSD BCD, 1kg weight belt, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Skills dive @ Beau Valon w/Ara, Simon. Buoyancy check at surface; Demonstrate underwater mask r/r, regulator retrieval, fin pivot, 30 second hover, maskless swim, freeflow regulator breathing.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 3636 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 40.8 meters
Dive #79 (BSD 28)	1/7/2011
Dive Time: 14:52	Bottom Time: 38 minutes
Max Depth: 22.9 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 4-6 meters
Air Consumption: 210 bar - 150 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 shorty, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 1kg weight in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Lead Assist Dive @ Twin Barges w/Susanne, 3 clients. Buddied w/Chris (Open Water). Playful swim around barges (upside down, twirling, somersaults). Lionfish, porcupinefish x2, moray eel x3, nudibranch x2. Early ascent due to 70 bar limit for client.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 3674 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 40.8 meters
Dive #80 (BSD 29)	3/7/2011
Dive Time: 09:59	Bottom Time: 43 minutes
Max Depth: 13.5 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 6-8 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 150 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 12L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Lead Assist Dive @ Horse Shoe Rocks w/Vera, 6 clients. Early ascent w/2 clients. Porcupine fish, moray eel x2, leaf fish?, black mini eel?, lionfish x3
Seychelles Bottom Time: 3717 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 40.8 meters
Dive #81 (BSD 30)	3/7/2011
Dive Time: 12:09	Bottom Time: 57 minutes
Max Depth: 12.8 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 6-8 meters
Air Consumption: 150 bar - 80 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weight in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 12L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Fun Dive @ Aquarium w/Susanne, Simon, Marcus. Sand/camoflauge nudibranch, scorpionfish, stone fish.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 3774 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 40.8 meters
Dive #82 (BSD 31)	3/7/2011
Dive Time: 15:08	Bottom Time: 56 minutes
Max Depth: 13.5 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 6-8 meters
Air Consumption: 210 bar - 120 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Fun Dive @ Near Aquarium w/Susanne, Simon. Nudibranch x3, marble ray (1.5-2 meters).
Seychelles Bottom Time: 3830 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 40.8 meters
Dive #83 (BSD 32)	5/7/2011
Dive Time: 09:35	Bottom Time: 45 minutes
Max Depth: 18.1 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 6-8 meters
Air Consumption: 210 bar - 150 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 12L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Lead Assist Dive @ Baie Ternay w/Vera, Susanne. 6 clients. -1kg for client, Early ascent. Painted lobsters, pufferfish, stonefish. moray eel, lionfish, nudibranch x3, hawksbill turtle swimming w/batfish.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 3875 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 40.8 meters
Dive #84 (BSD 33)	5/7/2011
Dive Time: 11:33	Bottom Time: 59 minutes
Max Depth: 15.9 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 6-8 meters
Air Consumption: 150 bar - 90 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 12L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Lead Assist Dive @ Coral Garden w/Vera, Susanne, 2 clients. Painted lobsters, nudibranch x2,
Seychelles Bottom Time: 3934 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 40.8 meters
Dive #85 (BSD 34)	5/7/2011
Dive Time: 18:22	Bottom Time: 41 minutes
Max Depth: 23.5 meters	Water Temperature: 25
Visibility: -
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 140 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 1kg weight in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: First Night Dive @ Twin Barges w/Susanne, Simon, Adam. Explored both barges, huge pufferfish, puffers, porcupines, lionfish x5, sleeping parrotfish, nudibranch, hairy hermit crab, moray eel, glowing plankton.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 3975 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 40.8 meters
Dive #86 (BSD 35)	7/7/2011
Dive Time: 09:26	Bottom Time: 37 minutes
Max Depth: 41.1 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 7-9 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 120 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 1kg weight in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Aldabaran Wreck w/Ara, 2 clients. New Max Depth! Pufferfish, porcupinefish, peppered morays, lionfish.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4012 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #87 (BSD 36)	7/7/2011
Dive Time: 14:31	Bottom Time: 50 minutes
Max Depth: 16.4 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 7-9 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 100 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 1kg weight in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Coral Garden w/2 clients. Learning the names of common fish. Lionfish, scorpionfish, hawksbill followed by batfish, orange-striped triggerfish, bird wrasse, parrotfish, peacock groupers, angelfish, butterflyfish, parrot surgeonfish, anenomefish, spider conch (x3).
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4062 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #88 (BSD 37)	8/7/2011
Dive Time: 09:54	Bottom Time: 32 minutes
Max Depth: 20.8 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 7-9 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 180 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weight in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 12L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Fun Dive @ Baie Ternay w/Adam. Nudibranch x3, black & yellow ribbon eel, huge sweetlips, batfish, guineafowl puffer.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4094 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #89 (BSD 38)	8/7/2011
Dive Time: 11:20	Bottom Time: 53 minutes
Max Depth: 16.9 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 6-8 meters
Air Consumption: 180 bar - 120 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weight in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 12L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Lead Assist Dive @ Baie Ternay w/Adam, 2 clients. White leaf fish x2, ornate spiney lobster, lionfish, yellow-margined moray, coral clam.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4147 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #90 (BSD 39)	9/7/2011
Dive Time: 09:40	Bottom Time: 42 minutes
Max Depth: 18.1 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 6-8 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 100 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit over 3/2 shorty, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weight in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Lead Dive @ L'ilot w/Adam, 2 clients. Pufferfish, porcupinefish, huge grouper, oriental sweetlips, humphead parrotfish, eagle ray.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4189 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #91 (BSD 40)	9/7/2011
Dive Time: 11:12	Bottom Time: 59 minutes
Max Depth: 14.9 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 6-8 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 100 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit over 3/2 shorty, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 1kg weight in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Fun Dive @ Grambazara w/Adam. Pufferfish, porcupinefish, nudibranch, peppered moray.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4248 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters

WK 14: Day & Night

The sun sets fire to the sky as it sinks slowly into the sea. Rays of light pierce through distant storm clouds as the day fends off night's onset. The setting sun's fiery light illuminates Blue Sea Divers assembling kits as our boat anchors at Twin Barges. Peering over my shoulder, I chance a glimpse at the horizon and catch the last sliver of sun before it plunges into the water. My heart skips a beat as the light fades. Kit assembled, flashlight in hand, I'm ready for my first night dive.

*****

This past week was incredibly satisfying in and out of the water. Diving continued to offer new challenges and experiences from the daily routine to my first night dive. When I wasn't in the water, I made the most of my time pursuing the Enriched Air Diver (EANx) certification and passing Part 1 of the Divemaster written exam. Day or night, soaking or studying, it was a good week.

I returned to Baie Ternay for a number of dives over the last few days. Thankfully, the visibility was much better than my first homecoming, improving the whole dive experience for myself and the clients alike. I was not as stressed about losing divers who in turn were able to explore a bit more. The bay also offered up a number of aquatic favorites including some harder to find creatures like lobsters and leafish. Clients surfaced with smiles and memories to bring home- a priceless souvenir. Baie Ternay truly lived up to being one of Mahe's best dive sites.

While diving in the bay would have been enough to have me beaming for another week or two, my first night dive was the highlight of the week's adventures. I decided not to participate in a night dive while living on base at Cap Ternay in hopes of having the chance resurface while working as a divemaster- as luck would have it, I got my second chance. I dove at Twin Barges and discovered a completely new underwater world. Glowing plankton greeted me as I descended upon the barges, shining my flashlight into the dark depths. The wrecks were wide awake with a myriad of aquatic life. A huge pufferfish manned the deep barge while lionfish floated about unconcerned. Curiously, many fish were nestled into the barges rusted nooks and crannies for what I assumed would be their night's rest. My first night dive was nothing short of remarkable. It was definitely worth waiting for the experience.

I dried off and took straight to the books this past week. Leaving no time to waste, I completed and passed the EANx course on Monday. With the certification, I am qualified to utilize enriched air during dives allowing for longer bottom times and reduce the amount of nitrogen build up during repetitive dive situations. Coupled with my curiously low air consumption, diving with EANx will ensure that I spend as much quality time underwater as possible. In addition to the passing the EANx course, I passed Part 1 of the Divemaster written exam which covered standards and procedures. Part 2 has been saved for next week, so the books have remained open for a possible weekend study session.

Week 14 wrapped itself up in a flurry of adventures, the days blurring together- exact time and date hardly distinguishable between one pursuit endeavor to the next. I've continued to grow as a diver and an individual; discovering a sense of adventure and self with every dive and every setting sun.

WK 13: 25

Bubbles, then shadows. Shifting shapes and faint forms. Divers drift into focus from the blue depths. I barrel roll to check on my buddy with a flick of my fins, taking silent delight in the aquatic acrobatics. My buddy signals "okay" as I twirl round for a double take of the new dive group. They round the perimeter of the wreck and I recognize a pair of eyes, two, three- it's Meg, Shelby, and Julia from the Underwater Centre! Beaming through my regulator, I wave enthusiastically to my friends from Cap Ternay. From open water expedition members to divemaster interns, we've come so far in the past thirteen weeks. Since moving to Beau Valon, contact with interns at the other dive shops has been sporadic at best. I could not think of a more appropriate reunion than 18 meters below the surface, swimming into our roles as divemasters. It was the perfect birthday surprise.

*****

Cheers to the last twenty five years and all the people and experiences that have made it worth the while.