Laura J Reynolds

Night diving, we’re night diving…we’re what’s happening…

Laura — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 11:26:33 +0000

A couple of VERY hairy night dives on the Barrier Reef later……. I got myself some understandable night diving nerves.

The Divemaster manual recommends beginning the course by focusing on your weakest areas. My problem areas are buoyancy, navigation(!) and night diving.

My buoyancy has come on leaps and bounds in the few short weeks since I started. I can really feel [...]

Happiness is……

Laura — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:07:15 +0000

GETTING YOUR OWN SCUBA GEAR!!!!

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK! : D

Words cannot describe the joy! I’m the biggest/happiest geek of all time!

I went to All4Diving in Mae Haad, and had a chat with a very helpful guy called Ciaran, who advised me on some good kit to be getting started with.

I’ve gone for a PSI full wetsuit, which [...]

MORNING!

Laura — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 01:15:39 +0000

‘Student divers and divers expect a PADI Divemaster to exhibit professionalism, role model behaviour, and the ability to assist and supervise during training and dive activities. The most successful divemasters have these qualities – and they’re fun to dive with too.’ The PADI Divemaster Manual: The Role & Characteristics of a PADI Divemaster

Feeling like the new [...]

Do it, do it, do it, do it, do it, do it, do it NOW!

Laura — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 11:48:55 +0000

Pat and I met an instructor called Jim at the shop for our Divemaster Trainee orientation. We were there for just under an hour while he explained what was expected of us; about how the course is structured, the nine written exams, assisting courses and practical assessments.

I really like New Way, the shop is relaxed [...]

One one thousand, two one thousand, three one thousand, four one thousand, BREATH!

Laura — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 16:08:25 +0000

It is fair to say that I have been absolutely DREADING the Rescue Diver course for two whole years!

However, it is important to note that rather than looking into what the course actually entailed (that would’ve been too easy!), I went on someone else’s (INCREDIBLY EXAGGERATED) account of the practical assesments…..which I continued to further [...]

Emergency First Response

Laura — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 15:49:51 +0000

After meeting Patrick, a lovely American who I’ll be working alongside throughout my dive training at New Way……(At about 7ft tall ;) he’s genuinely one of the biggest guys I’ve ever seen….rescuing him will be ‘challenging’!)….we sat down to watch the riveting Emergency First Response video.

It’s about an hour long and pretty funny in parts. [...]

Marrn up!

Laura — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:24:07 +0000

Since that very first dive I realised that I wanted to dive professionally. I’ve never had any idea what I wanted to do with my life. I’d tried different ideas out for size but never felt a real passion or excitement towards anything. Suddenly the booties fit! BOOM BOOM! (sorry : D)

You [...]

Nooooo Way!

Laura — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 15:44:54 +0000

After lots more thought, looking around, chatting to folk and a fair amount of feeling overwhelmed, I finally decided upon a dive school. I felt it was the best of both worlds….medium sized, busy and with a lovely bar and restaurant right on the beach. I’d been to speak to an instructor and a DMT [...]

Return to Turtle Island….

Laura — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 06:01:25 +0000

Koh Tao, (Turtle Island) is a beautiful, tiny island….21km squared….between Suratthani and Chumpon in the Gulf of Thailand.

Choosing a dive schcool in Koh Tao is a bit like picking which pub to go to out of the 365+ back ‘hum’ in ‘Naaaarch’. There’s a hell of alot to choose from, and you’re going [...]