PADI, diving and Instructor Development (IDC) around Thailand

First PADI IE in 2012 successfully completed on Koh Tao, Thailand

2012-01-26T12:47:00.003+07:00

First PADI IE in 2012 successfully completed on Koh Tao, Thailand

After two and a half nerve wrecking days, Phoenix or aka Frank rose from the ashes and he's now officially a PADI Instructor after successfully passing the PADI IE on Koh Tao. Congratulations Frank.

From left to right, Camille, Tim the PADI Examiner and Frank after the PADI IE closing ceremony

Frank passed with flying colors, only 2 mistakes out of 110 Theory and Standards questions and 3 times max score of 5 and one time 4.2 in his 4 presentations.

If you want to live the dream and become a PADI Instructor as well, join me in one of my PADI IDC's, check out my schedule or contact me with any questions you may have.

Camille

PADI Member Update 2012 on Koh Tao, Thailand

2012-01-24T09:39:00.005+07:00

PADI Member Update 2012 on Koh Tao, Thailand

Since the update on Koh Samui will be when I'm planning to conduct a PADI IDC on Gili Air in Indonesia, I took the opportunity to visit the PADI Member Update on Koh Tao, a day ahead of the PADI IE which will start today.

PADI Member Update 2012

The location on Koh Tao was the same as last year at Choppers Bar on Sairee Beach, it was hard to believe but there were even more people than last year and even the upstairs room seems to become too small!

Tim was introduced under loud cheers from the crowd, it seems he's rather popular on Koh Tao. Unfortunately the sound system didn't work properly, it was difficult to follow what was being said and to stay focused, especially in a non air-conditioned and very smoky room!

Region 26, better known as Thailand, has now two Regional managers instead of the original one RM. Since Koh Tao is too big and too important for PADI, a large chunk of their business in the Asia Pacific region is generated each year on Koh Tao, it seems a wise and long overdue decision. Last year saw the introduction oh Tony Andrews as new RM for Thailand and this year sees the addition of Tim Hunt.

Tim in action during the update

Tim, who for a long time was an active Course Director on Koh Tao will look after Koh Tao, Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, Bangkok, Pattaya and all Northern and Eastern locations whilst Tony will look after Phuket and the West coast of Thailand.

Camille

EFR Instructor and Emergency Oxygen Instructor course on Koh Samui

2012-01-22T16:19:00.003+07:00

EFR Instructor and Emergency Oxygen Instructor course on Koh Samui

After having just completed the PADI IDC on Koh Samui, the first one of the year, it was time to move on and tackle the EFR Instructor and Emergency Oxygen Instructor courses.

EFRI

Frank and me had a day at the local re-compression chamber and made good use of the on site classroom.

Getting technical during the O2 course

We got both courses out of the way and tomorrow I'm off to Koh Tao for the yearly PADI Member Forum, directly followed the next day by Frank's PADI IE.

Stay tuned for more updates from Koh Tao .

The first PADI IDC of 2012 has been completed

2012-01-21T21:25:00.000+07:00

The first PADI IDC of 2012 has been completed

It's all done and dusted, the first PADI IDC on Koh Samui in 2012 has been completed. Well done Frank! The IDC was in conjunction with PADI 5* IDC center 'The Dive Academy' on Koh Samui.

Frank during a knowledge development presentation

Despite Frank being the only student during this program, we had a good time and it was a fun IDC.

Claire and Paul helping out during confined water

During the confined and open water presentations, we received support and help and most importantly, 'bodies' from Claire, Paul and Chris. Thanks guys!

Regulator recovery

On the 24th January it's off to Koh Tao for the PADI IE, so stay tuned and see if Frank 'graduates' on 26th January!

In the meantime, let me know if you're interested in participating in a PADI IDC with me in either Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines or South Korea and contact me so I can send you some useful information about my programs.

My next IDC is scheduled to start either 6th February on Koh Lanta or 10th February on Koh Phangan, followed by an IDC starting 23rd February on Gili Air in Indonesia.

Camille

PADI IDC on Koh Samui, January 2012 is half way

2012-01-17T21:31:00.003+07:00

PADI IDC on Koh Samui, January 2012 is half way

Time flies when you're having fun the PADI IDC on Koh Samui in conjunction with 'The Dive Academy' has already reached the half way mark.

Frank during one of his Knowledge Development presentations

Plenty of presentations by me where on the agenda and we're making good pace on these, lots of time has been spent in the pool and Frank has gotten his first scores as well, which so far, were all good!

The giant stride entry

We're lucky with the weather during this IDC, we only had one non stop rainy day and plenty of sun afterwards, which started to heat the pool up today.

Neutral buoyancy LPI

More classroom, confined water and soon more exams and open water will be on Frank's menu. The fun just doesn't stop!

Stay tuned for more updates on this IDC and if you're interested in participating in one of my IDC programs, have a look at my schedule and see if any of the dates fit your schedule. With 21 porgrams scheduled this year, I'm sure that some of the dates should work.

Camille

The first PADI IDC in 2012 is under way

2012-01-14T20:10:00.004+07:00

The first PADI IDC in 2012 is under way

It's a one on one PADI IDC on Koh Samui with Frank being the only student in class, so it's a slow start this year.

Today we completed a lot of red tape. some exams and a skill circuit in the pool under a grey sky.

Frank sweating it out on his own over the exams

2012 has kicked off and there will be a few more updates on this IDC before Frank is going to hit the PADI IE on Koh Tao after the IDC.

My next IDC is scheduled to start 10th February on Koh Phangan. Contact me for more details.

Camille

Imad and Christophe are accepted into the PADI CDTC for March 2012

2012-01-13T10:39:00.002+07:00

Imad and Christophe are accepted into the PADI CDTC for March 2012

The PADI CDTC is the PADI Course Director Training Course and is a rather prestigious event for which you have to apply and get selected and invited to participate by PADI. Each year there are only two such programs in the whole world and in each program only around 40 applicants are accepted, out of roughly 50 to 60 applications for each program.

This program will certify you as a PADI Course Director.

Imad and Christophe specifically came to staff IDC's with me last year in order to prepare and get my guidance so they could apply for the course and both got accepted. Congratulations!

Imad during the October/November 2011 IDC on Koh Samui next to the pool

Imad originates from Lebanon but lives in the United Arab Emirates. He completed his IDC with me back in February 2009 and he went on to complete his IDCS course with me back in November that same year. In May 2010 and last October/November he came back to staff with me and the latter IDC was purely to get more practice and guidance for his CDTC application.

Well done Imad, you came from a long way and I'm proud to have been part of your road to fulfilling your dream of becoming a PADI Course Director. Congratulations.

Christophe during the recent October/November IDC on Koh Samui during one of his classroom presentations

Christophe is French but he lives in the Seychelles. After being rejected last year for his previous CDTC application last year, he was recommend to me and he followed up on it, accumulating in planning to staff two IDC's with me towards the end of last year. He participated in the October/November IDC on Koh Samui but got dengue fever before the start of the next IDC on Gili Air in Indonesia, only to find out that even if he would have been able to staff this IDC, he wouldn't have gotten the credit for it.

Nonetheless, we had good fun on Koh Samui and I'm very happy for Christophe that my guidance helped him into being accepted into the March 2012 CDTC program.

Imad and Christophe, you will be re-united again in Malaysia come March. I'm sure you both will enjoy the course and all the best from me!

If you have plans for becoming a PADI Course Director and are interested in staffing PADI IDC's with me, please contact me and I can explain the special Staffing programs I have on offer.

Camille

Continue helping in getting shark fin soup off the Makro Thailand shelves

2012-01-12T13:41:00.005+07:00

Continue helping in getting shark fin soup off the Makro Thailand shelves

Or rather, the Makro Thailand freezers, that is. As already blogged about back in December 2009, Makro Thailand has shark fin soup on offer in their freezers.

Makro Thailand bi weekly flyer with a special offer on shark fin soup

Earlier this week I already posted about the upcoming Chinese New Year and that the struggle to ban shark finning continues. Especially with the Chinese New Year coming up 29th January, the shark fin soup will be on the menu at many Chinese oriented restaurants.

With this Chinese New Year on the horizon, Makro Thailand has a special offer in their bi weekly magazine in which you can save 19.-THB on a shark fin soup.

On the Makro Thailand website, there's a 'contact us' page which I urge you to use. Please contact them by means of this page, fill out the form (no Makro member ship number is required) and ask them to stop selling shark fin products and spread the word!

Thanks for helping out!

Camille

Updated information on jelly fish sting handling

2012-01-09T12:12:00.004+07:00

Updated information on jelly fish sting handling

Here's an update on my most popular post on this blog, a post about Box jelly fish warning in Thailand.

Please check the video below and see if you can endure watching it until the end.

I fully appreciate that this was hard to watch. Now, to continue this experiment, please have a look at the video below and let me know which one you prefer to watch.

The information provided in both videos is pretty much the same but I prefer watching the first video!

To get serious though, nobody would expect you to go out on a beach with shaving foam, but you would have that in your hotel room or can buy it at a nearby pharmacy. You also don't wan't to touch the affected body area without gloves!

To really 'rub it in'. have a look at one more video of the result of actual box jelly fish stings on June 20th, 2009, in Belitung Island, Indonesia.

Camille

Say no to shark finning

2012-01-07T12:14:00.004+07:00

Say no to shark finning

Chinese New year is coming up again soon, 23rd January 2011 and the call for saying "No to shark fin soup" continues to grow.

This years picture for the 'Say no to shark fin soup' campaign

Many people in Singapore and Hong Kong start to support the campaign but still not everybody is aware and it's not easy breaking life long habits! It's good to know and see a growing support from among other local divers!

One of the the Sea Shepherds web pages had these interesting wedding pictures

Many organisations are very active in campaigning against shark finning, Project AWARE, Sea Shepherds and Sharkwater are just a few of them. Support these and other organisations that campaign. It's late bot not too late, yet!

It really is time to put the pieces back together!

Camille

Are You Ready to Go 100% AWARE?

2012-01-03T13:27:00.002+07:00

Are You Ready to Go 100% AWARE?

Happy New Year to you all and what better start to the new year than sharing a Project Aware message with you;

Pledge your ongoing commitment to ocean protection and go 100% AWARE in 2012.

Project AWARE is launching a new partnership program to help PADI Dive Centres integrate ocean protection priorities into their business and fund critical conservation initiatives at the same time.

The new 2012 Limited Edition Project AWARE card!

Beginning January 2012, dive centers and resorts taking part in the programme will ensure all of their student divers receive the Project AWARE version of their PADI certification card.

100% AWARE donations will target protection for the world’s most threatened shark species and the removal and prevention of marine debris from treasured underwater environments. Together we can make ocean protection a reality.

Some interesting facts;

Less than 1% of our ocean is protected.
7% of all PADI divers choose to support ocean protection initiatives by making a minimum donation to receive the Project AWARE version of their PADI certification card.
AWARE cards are our largest fundraising effort.

With the 100% AWARE partnership we can make 2012 the biggest year for ocean protection! Make shark conservation and marine debris prevention a priority and become one of the first dive centers to become 100% AWARE in 2012 or one of the first divers to be certified by a 100% AWARE dive center.

Whether you're a diver or PADI Professional, supporting the 100% AWARE program will make a difference!

Thank you for your continued support. We wish you all a happy festive season and look forward to taking action with you in 2012 to protect our ocean planet – one dive at a time ...or One AWARE Certification Card at a Time!

Project AWARE and Camille

Looking back at a busy and successful 2011

2011-12-31T09:55:00.006+07:00

Looking back at a busy and successful 2011

Busy it was indeed, I conducted 16 PADI IDC's this year with a total of 59 candidates! On both accounts a record. Last year saw 12 IDC's and 27 candidates, a big difference. So far it looks that the road I took seems to be the right one and after 11 years teaching on Koh Samui, out of which 8 years as a PADI Course Director, the change did do me right.

On top of that I could welcome students from 5 countries that I never had in my classes before; Argentine, Brazil, Chile, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Party time on Malapascua after the PADI IE

I conducted my first ever IDC outside of Thailand on Malapascua in the Philippines, back in February , which resulted in contacts that lead to me conducting the first ever Western IDC in South Korea in July (hi Allen!) and a cooperation with Chris Heim and Sea Explorers in which we schedule 4 IDC’s for next year in the Philippines, evenly split between Dauin and Malapascua. There's even a new website dedicated to PADI IDC's I conduct in the Philippines.

In Indonesia I conducted 4 IDC’s this year on Gili Air in conjunction with Oceans 5.

In Thailand I conducted this year IDC’s on Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Lanta and in Khao Lak.

After the PADI IE in Deoksan, South Korea

More stats are here;

16 IDC’s in 2011 with 59 candidates and 2 IDCS candidates;

10 IDC’s in Thailand with 36 candidates (compared to 27 candidates in 2010) including 6 IDC’s on Koh Samui, Thailand with 21 candidates (compared to 17 candidates in 2010)

1 IDC in the Philippines with 5 candidates

1 IDC in South Korea with 6 candidates

4 IDC’s in Indonesia with 12 candidates

It was a great year and I like to express my gratitude and best wishes for 2012 for all the people who made this possible;

Paul and Sarah at 'The Dive Academy' on Koh Samui, Andrea and Richard at TSD on Malapascua, Mellisa at Blue Planet Divers and Saffron at Scubafish on Koh Lanta, Sander and Simone at Oceans 5 on Gili Air in Indonesia, Allen in Osan, South Korea, Guenther and all staff at Sea Dragon in Khao Lak, Chris Heim and all the folks at Sea Explores in the Philippines and of course to all my candidates. Thanks for being there and making things happen.

A special mention to all the folk at PADI Asia Pacific for the support shown this year!

Oceans 5 on Gili Air in Indonesia

All this and on top of that I had the chance to dive at some great places and get to see many 'firsts' especially in the macro field. Oceans 5 house reef on Gili Air is one to keep an eye out for! Thanks for the great dives I had on and around Malapascua, Gili Air, The Liberty on Bali, Chaweng Beach on Samui (an all time favorite), the Hardeep in Pattaya, the Sattakut near Koh Tao and a great live aboard North of the Similan islands.

See you next year and join me at one of my PADI IDC's.

Camille

Last dives of the year, around Koh Tao

2011-12-29T16:57:00.003+07:00

Last dives of the year, around Koh Tao

The last two days diving this year have been spent guiding fun divers around Koh Tao, a nice end of the year considering that I started the year with two DSD's around Koh Tao dive sites!

A shrimp caught peeping out of his bottle house in Sairee beach

Two new sites were on the agenda, first of all the HTMS Sattakut, a former Thai Navy boat deliberately sunk a few months ago near White Rock. The vessel has been active during the World War II landings of Okinawa and D-Day. It has been prepped splendidly, on first sight, with easy and convenient penetration options. Well worthwhile a visit, with it landmark two guns, one at the bow and one aft.

Due to my current underwater housing/camera problems, there are unfortunately no pictures of me taken at the HTMS Sattakut.

Saddle back clown fish at Sairee beach

The other 'new' site for me was at Tao Thong bay, a nice and shallow site with some excellent coral. The recovery of last year's bleaching has been really good around Koh Tao, in contrast to some areas around the Similan islands.

Christmas season greetings

A school of rabbit fish over Tao Thong's reef

A propeller of one of the Koh Tao dive boats

Time to wave goodbye to this years diving for me. A compilation and review of this year will still follow tomorrow or the day after so stay tuned!

Camille

New website for PADI IDC's in the Philippines

2011-12-27T09:11:00.004+07:00

New website for PADI IDC's in the Philippines

In conjunction with Sea Explorers PADI CDC center in Dauin and Sea Explorers PADI 5* IDC Center on Malapascua, we made a new website about the PADI IDC's which we conduct together in Dauin and Malapascua in the Philippines; www.idcphilippines.org

Have a look and let me know if you're interested in one of the scheduled IDC's for 2012.

Hope to see you next year in the Philippines!

Camille

Richelieu Rock, live aboard trip December 2011 part 3

2011-12-24T08:17:00.003+07:00

Richelieu Rock, live aboard trip December 2011 part 3

The last day of our trip had arrived and we were about to dive Richelieu Rock, a dive site very high on my wish list! I had heard so many good stories about this site and I was very happy to be able to dive it twice this day! The site has been named after

First have a look at the reports of day 1 and day 2 of this live aboard.

Richelieu Rock has been discovered by diving pioneer Jacques-Yves Cousteau with the help of local fishermen. The origin of the name is disputed. Some say it has been named by Cousteau after the red colour of Cardinal Richelieu's dress because of the red to purple colour of the soft corals on the reef, which is everywhere. Others claim it was named after General Richelieu, the only Western commander ever in the Royal Thai Navy.

Cuttlefish, the smaller one

There was no training on the schedule anymore, all Specialty Instructor training was sorted out already and the two dives here were pure fun dives, and that they were!

During the first dive we played a while with two cuttlefish. They even got cuddly, a very nice experience.

Cuttlefish, the bigger one

My camera still had hick ups, so out of the well over 100 pictures I took only a handful worked out well enough to publish. Once more a slight frustration factor. Only shallow depth pictures worked out.

Camel shrimp or rhynchocinetes durbanensis

Richelieu Rock is a fantastic dive site though, I could dive here again and again. It's horseshoe shape makes it fairly easy to navigate and offers places to hide from the current. The site reminds me of my favorite site in the Gulf of Thailand; Sail Rock but Richelieu is a couple of dozen times better.

Tomato clownfish

You can easily cover just a few meters of the rock and see tons of different underwater animals, from small shrimps and pipefish to various eels, and bigger groupers. The amount of life here is astonishing. This is easily one of the best dive sites I have ever been at!

Occasionally real big fish like whale sharks and manta rays visit the rock.

Squid

During both dives we also saw squid, usually a very shy species. This was the best way to complete two days of excellent diving. Thanks to Rewi, Johan, Eduardo, Kelli, Nico and Jeff for taking the trip, 'forcing' me to go as well. It was great fun and we had some excellent diving!

Camille

Koh Surin, live aboard trip December 2011 part 2

2011-12-23T13:27:00.004+07:00

Koh Surin, live aboard trip December 2011 part 2

The second day of the live aboard trip was located around the Koh Surin islands. After an exciting first day, it was time to get ready and gear up for another fab day.

I wish I had more underwater pictures but due to my camera problems, I only have a limited amount of what I consider good pictures.

Sun rise at the Koh Torinla, part of Koh Surin

We started off with a great dive at Koh Torinla for the second dive of the Deep dive Instructor Specialty. Beautiful boulders combined with a bit of current guarantees tons of fish, from small fishies to bigger ones, the whole food chain seems to be present.

Map of the Surin islands, we dived Koh Torinla, Turtle Ledge and Koh Chi. On top of that I dived at the bay South of the camp on Surin Nua.

Besides the regular dives scheduled for that day I also had to schedule two Search & Recovery dives, which I managed to get into the busy schedule. Kelli, Johan and Eduardo plus myself had some fun with the lift bag and navigation skills.

The MV Mariner, our home for three days, away from home

When the rest of the divers on the boat dived Turtle ledge, me and Johan, Kelli and Eduardo dived the bay around the corner and got the Underwater Navigation dive out of the way.

Clark Anemone fish with an anemone crab in front

The last dive of the day was at Koh Chi, the Lighthouse Rock and another Underwater Navigation dive was scheduled with Rewi, Nico and Jeff. Once we completed this dive, all specialty training was taken care of and that meant that the two dives tomorrow at Richelieu Rock would be pure fun dives!

Lion fish

The crew on the boat was very accommodating and fun to hang out with. Very upbeat, professional and knowledgeable and in general a pleasure to work with. Many thanks to Roger and PADI 5* IDC Center Sea Dragon for accommodating all my training wishes, much appreciated!

Phyllidiella pustulosa nudibranch

Cocktails were served after dinner (what a treat the food was all day long!) but I made it a short day, 5 days in a day and 9 over two days was enough to have me look for my cabin early in the night! Tomorrow was one more day of diving, the highlight for me, at Richelieu Rock. An update to follow soon!

Camille

Koh Tachai, live aboard trip December 2011 part 1

2011-12-22T21:46:00.003+07:00

Koh Tachai, live aboard trip December 2011 part 1

After the Khao Lak IDC in conjunction with PADI 5* IDC Center Sea Dragon and the PADI IE were completed, it was time to shake the classroom dust out of our ears and do what we love' go diving! Sea Dragon is a live aboard expert in the Khao Lak area, so what choice did we have?

Koh Bon, wakey wakey the first morning, time for a deep dive!

The great thing was that all 6 IDC candidates signed up for the 3 day - 9 dives package, plus on top of that they all signed up for an Instructor Specialty or MSDT package. Way to go. Besides the Nitrox instructor and Emergency Oxygen Instructor ratings, another 5 Specialties were up for grabs for each of them, which resulted in an interesting puzzle to solve for me but I was able to sort everything out and managed to accommodate everybody.

Map of the Similan islands, where I dived almost three years ago for the last time, but this time we went to the Northern islands, as listed in the small map at the right side, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Koh Surin and Richelieu Rock

The first dive, a Deep dive to 35 meters was at Koh Bon pinnacle but we had to cancel the 2nd dive at Koh Bon because one of the Princesses of the Thai Royal family was about to arrive at Koh Bon and all dive boats had to leave for other dive sites. We went up North to Koh Tachai, there are worse places to dive!

Koh Tachai dive map

My biggest problem during the trip was that the housing of my Canon IXY 2515, the WP-DC 23 kept having problems and I couldn't use the camera settings, the camera went into a setting and that was it, no chance to change anything! That was very frustrating and that's an understatement! Unfortunately it's not the first time that this happens with one of my Canon housings, it's time for a new camera and housing and it won't be a Canon again, that's for sure.

Enough of this though, back to diving!

A porcelain anemone crab at Koh Tachai pinnacle

During the first two days, over 9 dives, I completed all specialties with everybody, this left the last two dives at Richelieu Rock on the last day open for just relaxed fun diving!

During the first day we managed to get a Deep dive, a DUP dive, a Drift dive and a Night dive out of the way. A busy schedule indeed!

A school of Chevron or black tail barracuda's

Koh Tachai is a great pinnacle and makes for some interesting diving. Boulders are all over the place and when the currents rise, the action and life around the boulders is awesome. Laced with some large fans, the site is impressive indeed. Big groupers, large schools of barracuda and lots of other reef fish are to be found and seen plentiful.

A coral grouper at Koh Tachai reef

After the great dive at Koh Tachai pinnacle we jumped the third time this day at Koh Tachai reef for a drift dive. The current started slow but towards the end we had a nice speed going and just when we started to ascend for our safety stop we spotted two big Napolean wrasses below us.

During the evening we completed the first day with a night dive at the Koh Surin islands. A busy day came to an end. More to follow, stay tuned!

Camille

PADI IE in Khao Lak in Thailand for December 2011 is done and dusted

2011-12-18T15:53:00.000+07:00

PADI IE in Khao Lak in Thailand for December 2011 is done and dusted

The last PADI IE for 2011 is in the bag! After three hard working days filled with some nerve wrecking moments, at last, it's all over. Everybody did absolutely great! Rewi will have another look into her theory exams again next year in Phuket, good luck to you!

From left to right in the back row; Johan, Rewi, Tim (PADI Examiner), Camille (PADI Course Director), Julia (IDCS), Nico and Eduardo

In front; Jeff and Kelli

Well done everybody and good luck in your future diving careers!

That was it for 2011, we will be off tonight for a three day live aboard with 9 dives to visit Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Surin islands and Richelieu rock for some Instructor Specialties and some good diving, updates to follow later after the trip, since no internet access is available at the dive sites.

If you're interested in participating in one of my PADI IDC's next year, look here for my most current schedule. The first IDC next year will start 8th January on Koh Samui, Thailand. See you there!

Camille

PADI Oxygen Instructors in Khao Lak, Thailand December 2011

2011-12-16T09:53:00.002+07:00

PADI Oxygen Instructors in Khao Lak, Thailand December 2011

As part of my IDC courses I like to teach the PADI Emergency Oxygen Provider course but at Instructor level. Yesterday it was time to teach this course in Khao Lak.

The group checking out the oxygen unit, from left to right; Nico, Julia, Johan, Jeff, Eduardo, Kelli and Rewi

The reason why I like to teach this course is to increase knowledge about providing oxygen, how to set up the oxygen unit and at what flow rates oxygen should be delivered in case a dive accident occurs. This is important, since being able to deliver 100% oxygen or the highest percentage available is one of the most important things to be able to do in case of potential diving accidents occur.

Setting up the oxygen delivery unit, one of the skills in the course, great team work with Jeff, Kelli and Rewi in full swing

Kelli explaining the benefits of a 'bvm' aka bag-valve-mask

It's a course I really enjoy teaching, because of the importance I place on being able to supply oxygen and the other reason is also that being a volunteer at the local hyperbaric chamber on Koh Samui I'm aware of the need to know about the issues at hand.

If you're interested in knowing about the PADI Oxygen courses I teach or about the PADI IDC's I teach, look at my schedule or contact me if you have any questions.

Camille

EFR Instructor course in Khao Lak, Thailand December 2011

2011-12-15T22:04:00.003+07:00

EFR Instructor course in Khao Lak, Thailand December 2011

Today was a busy day for the candidates of the current PADI IDC in Khao Lak. We completed the last classroom presentation of this IDC in Khao Lak. On top of that we also completed the EFR Instructor course.

The IDC and EFR group in front of the Sea Dragon store in Khao Lak, except for Julia who staffed and took this picture

We had lots of fun going though the skills and especially Kelli who's a professional EMT could add some interesting details to the training.

Nico enjoying CPR

Tomorrow late afternoon the PADI IE starts! The best of success is wished to all of them, Rewi, Johan, Eduardo, Kelli, Nico and Jeff; GO!

Stay tuned for updates on their progress in the IE!

Eduardo (aka Dudu) having a go at the AED

In the meantime, if you're interested in participating in one of my IDC's, here's my PADI IDC schedule with the next IDC starting 8th January 2012 on Koh Samui, Thailand.

Camille

The PADI IDC in Khao Lak, Thailand for December 2011 has been completed

2011-12-14T23:20:00.003+07:00

The PADI IDC in Khao Lak, Thailand for December 2011 has been completed

Today we went for the second time to Open Water and besides one more classroom presentation by me tomorrow morning, that's it for this Khao Lak IDC, it's in the bag!

Group picture on the boat, slightly overexposed, from left to right, Julia, Kelli, Eduardo, Johan, Camille, Jeff, Nico and Rewi

Rewi controlling Jeff during his CESA skill in confined water

It was long days and hard work but also lots of fun and good moments, not to mention the lunches!

Tomorrow also sees the Oxygen Specialty Instructor course and the EFR Instructor course on the schedule. One more busy day and the day after, Friday, the PADI IE is about to kick off at 4pm. Time flies by if you're having fun!

Kelli explaining the RDP table during her classroom presentation

It's all in the bag now and time to get ready for said PADI IE program and the same evening after completion of the IE, we will get aboard a live aboard boat that will take us to Koh Bon, Surin, Tachai and Richelieu for some Instructor Specialty training. Exciting!

A special thanks to Julia for staffing, it was great having you and we all wish you could be on the live aboard with us!

Nico during one of his classroom presentations

Keep an eye out on more updates for all the adventures still ahead of this IDC group and if you're interested in participating in an IDC with me, have a look at my PADI IDC schedule. The first IDC in 2012 starts 8th January on Koh Samui in Thailand. followed by an IDC in Osan, South Korea and more programs on Koh Phangan, Thailand and Gili Air in Indonesia.

Camille

PADI IDC in Khao Lak - Thailand, the December 2011 version is passed the half way mark

2011-12-11T19:49:00.004+07:00

PADI IDC in Khao Lak, the December 2011 version is passed the half way mark

Today was a day off although some of the candidates had some additional physics classes! Nonetheless, time to relax and enjoy some time outside the classroom and water. I for once, participated in an 11km run in Kathu, Phuket.

Open water evaluation, alternate air source use

We're good on track though and the scores in confined and open water are good!

Jeff showing the speed limit on his bag

We had plenty of classroom presentations by me but the candidates also had their share to prepare and present, see Jeff above.

Nico showing how to hover in confined water

The first six days of the course we got wet every single day, 5 days in confined and one day in open water. Tomorrow will be a dry day, classroom only!

Jeff and Eduardo during their confined water 'air depletion' skill

The group dynamics are really good and we're having plenty of fun despite the fact that the days are long!

Julia, who's staffing this IDC during open water

Just a few more days and the PADI IE will be knocking on their door! Friday the 3 day exam will kick off, but before that will happen, check for some more updates on this program on this channel!

Camille

PADI IDC in Khao Lak in Thailand for December 2011 is on it's way

2011-12-06T21:18:00.004+07:00

PADI IDC in Khao Lak in Thailand for December 2011 is on it's way

Yesterday saw the kick off for the December IDC program in Khao Lak. In conjunction with PADI 5* IDC Center Sea Dragon I can welcome 6 candidates and it's once more a very international affair this time, with candidates from Thailand, Belgium, Brazil, the USA, France and Singapore and an IDCS Staff instructor from the Netherlands.

PADI 5* IDC center Sea Dragon with the IDC group in the pool

Khao Lak will see it's second PADI IE ever, from 16th to 18th December, with a total of 10 candidates. 4 candidates will come over from Phuket to take part in the Khao Lak IE.

Sweating it out during the Theory exams, from left to right; Rewi, Johan, Eduardo, Kelli, Nico and Jeff

Getting ready for the confined water skill circuit, a giant stride and buddy checks in full swing

Johan rescuing Jeff

Kelli in full rescue mode with Rewi

More updates on this IDC will follow soon, stay tuned!

If you're interested in participating in one of my PADI IDC's next year, look here for the schedule or get an idea about how my former students liked my IDC's on my testimonial page.

Camille

Oxygen Provider Instructor course on Gili Air in Indonesia

2011-12-02T20:10:00.002+07:00

Oxygen Provider Instructor course on Gili Air in Indonesia

Hans and Pablo, the candidates of the recent November 2011 IDC on Gili Air, also participated in some Instructor specialty training. They both completed the Oxygen Provider Instructor course, the Nitrox Instructor course, the DUP course and Hans also completed the Underwater Naturalist course. Unfortunately, Hans perforated his eardrum so his PADI IE is now postponed to early March 2012!

Hans and Pablo during the recent Oxygen provider Instructor course

The last IDC of this year is starting a few days in Khao Lak, 5th December to be precise! If you're interested in participating in one of my IDC's, check my 2012 schedule and contact me for more info on specific dates and/or location.

Camille

The Liberty, Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia

2011-11-30T15:27:00.009+07:00

The Liberty, Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia

A long wished dive came along today, diving 'The Liberty' at Tulamben in Bali, Indonesia.

Visibility was great today, between 15 and 20 meters and no current during the two dives, excellent conditions.

How the wreck looks like today

There's plenty of growth on the wreck and plenty of macro and big fish life is to be found. Unfortunately my Canon underwater housing didn't work properly, again. From that point of view it was a frustrating dive.

The Liberty before she was torpedoed

Having stayed at Candi Dasa, the drive over to Tulamben was just around 45 minutes and we arrived very early and had the wreck during the first dive almost to ourselves, which was very enjoyable. It's low season so it wasn't that busy anyway, but in high season, up to 200 divers per day can dive here.

Nembrotha kubaryana

A couple of nudibranches I saw were firsts, like the one above, the nembrotha kubaryana but for some that I spotted my camera didn't work.

The beach entry, big and small black pebbles

We also spotted a bump-head parrot fish, a solitary giant barracuda and plenty of small critters and reef fish and the biggest school of jacks I've ever seen so far, at around 5 meters and you could swim into them and they would completely emerge you.

Another Nembrotha kubaryana

Eel garden

Jacks

Wreck scenes

View on the wreck

If you find yourself on Bali, make sure to visit the Liberty, its well worth your time and effort!

Camille