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Dorset: day two.

I found my way to the medical centre over in Parkstone with one minute to spare. Blood pressure, pulse, heart and lungs. The result: fit for diving, with no restrictions. The Doc examines guys that dive to a depth of 200m – and here I am, thinking 2m is too deep!

There was light mist this morning and drizzle the rest of the day. I took a detour via Studland on my return, but didn’t stop. There are National Trust car parks everywhere, which makes things expensive on the ‘recce’ front.

On to the B&B and more study. The dive manual, chapter 4… and an afternoon nap?! I must be tired.

This evening I was invited to a bbq at the PADI centre. I met Eileen, the instructor who will be teaching me tomorrow evening, and chatted with a couple of ladies.

I need an Ordnance Survey Map, National Trust membership, and to work out where I can store my materials on the mainland to make it easier traveling back and forth to the island…

Dorset: day three.

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Parwich artist Esther Tyson is working on a project to immortalise the seahorses of Dorset in art – but first of all, she has to learn to swim underwater. Esther’s project diary continues below…

Dorset: day one.

I’m tired; it’s been a long day starting with a drive around Holton Heath Trading Estate looking for a PADI sign. In actual fact it began earlier with a full English breakfast, but that was an unexpected treat due to a double booking on the accommodation front.

9.41am, a cup of tea and we jump right in to Chapter One of the dive manual: The Underwater World, followed by Dive Equipment, Scuba Systems, The Buddy System and Confines Water Dive Preview. At the end of each chapter there is a two page knowledge review and I’m tested.

Chapters Two and Three are long. They cover: Adapting to the Underwater World, Respiration, Dive Equipment, Buddy System: Communication and Procedures, Confined Water Dive Preview, The Dive Environment, Dive Planning, Boat Diving, Problem Management, Confined Water Dive Preview, General Open Water Skills, Open Water Dives 1 and 2.

The objectives are covered; I fill out the self-assessment and take three short exams.

I’m done in. Lunch, another mug of tea and we plough on with the practical side of things. We look at the different masks on show and check for fit, the snorkel, boots and fins. I try on a semi-dry wetsuit. Boy, it’s tough to pull on. How I’d fasten it on my own, I don’t know! My suit may be a cerise/purple, rather than the red of the dive center. I had hoped to be coordinated – but just when I’d pondered the red and black theme, I’m now red, cerise and yellow! Where’s the pot of gold?

We stand side by side to set up our gear. In front of me is the tank filled with compressed clean air, a BCD and some regs. I copy the routine of putting the equipment together then pack up. It’s now my turn to set up without help; did it all sink in? This was one of the steps I thought would be difficult, but having repeated the process a couple of times it now seems quite simple. This is good!

We finished at 6pm, and I’ve spent the last two hours walking in the edge of the surf, along the beach in Swanage. Revitalizing! And there is so much pink along the tide line…!

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Parwich artist Esther Tyson is working on a project to immortalise the seahorses of Dorset in art – but first of all, she has to learn to swim underwater. Esther’s project diary continues below…

I have not been under water for six weeks, due to an inner ear infection. But now, rested, all is set!

The plan is to wade through the PADI Open Water Manual (along with DVDs), which will guide me through the theory of scuba diving and the safety aspects. Throughout this book there are mini-quizzes and knowledge reviews, all of which are to be completed by the start of the course.

Lou, who will be my instructor, has filled me in with the basic plan. The initial dives will be in the local pool, to learn a variety of scuba diving skills. These are called ‘Confined Dives’. They will last from four to six hours daily, over four days. The following two days will be open water sea dives. All the skills learned and practised in the pool will be assessed in the open water environment during these dives.

The first two open water dives will be at Swanage Pier (with a very early start!) These will take us to a depth of three to four metres. The last two open water dives will be in Vobster Quay in Somerset. This is an inland quarry with a depth of 37 metres (121 feet).

If all goes well, the following week will be down to Studland… and drawing seahorses!

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Parwich artist Esther Tyson is working on a project to immortalise the seahorses of Dorset in art – but first of all, she has to learn to swim underwater! Esther’s project diary continues below…

Day Eleven.

I’m back from London in time to grab my swim bag and walk to Matt’s. (Matt is a dive instructor in Parwich!) The prep talk is over and we are in the pool, discussing what comes next. Tonight, we are going for a bit of depth.

“But first, I would like you to leave your mask on the side – and, breathing with your regulator, go under.”

I didn’t see that coming. I ready myself above water, breathe in, breathe out, in, out… It takes me a couple of minutes to get my head under water, but I’m under!

I’m breathing steadily through the regulator for a minute or less; it just feels longer. No water up my nose!

Squatting in fins is difficult; I end up with one knee bent and one foot forward, with the other knee on the tiled floor and the other foot back for balance while we prepare. Ready, I bring my left fin round, getting into position for the swim, but as I do, the weight distribution shifts. My tank is now heavier than my body and I pirouette to an upside down turtle. It makes me laugh and my mask immediately fills with water! Managing to clear it – while at the same time upside down, laughing and letting more in – isn’t good!

Matt grabs my strap and rights me. Thank goodness for that! Now for the deep end…

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Parwich artist Esther Tyson is working on a project to immortalise the seahorses of Dorset in art – but first of all, she has to learn to swim underwater! Esther’s project diary continues below…

Day Seven.

I couldn’t repeat the last session – my face is burning from all the failed attempts at holding my breath. I settle into the more comfortable rhythm of breathing out through my nose underwater and in through my mouth above water.

Did I say more comfortable? When did that happen? I swim half a mile!

Day Eight.

Talking to Matt this evening, I feel reasonably… confident. Famous last words! It looks like Thursday night will be my first scuba session – and as I don’t have a wetsuit, it will be swimsuit with T-shirt.

I wasn’t too concerned, until he mentioned I may have to do the mask clearing at depth: 18 metres.  Another day; thank goodness the pool isn’t that deep!

Day Nine.

I’m sat in the corridor at the baths and was OK until a moment ago; never mind flooding my mask, my mind is flooded with madness. Surrounded by all these guys, scuba gear, noise, the reality of the situation suddenly dawns: I’m going to have to do this.

The guys have a prep talk, one of the girls talks of her recent instructor training and I’m sat with my mind racing.  All I have to do is clear my mask, and all I want to do is leave! (more…)

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Parwich artist Esther Tyson is working on a project to immortalise the seahorses of Dorset in art – but first of all, she has to learn to swim underwater! Esther’s project diary continues below…

Day Five.

I’ve moved from the pool at Sandybrook to the 25m pool in Ashbourne Leisure Centre.

Every pool I’ve swum in has had a gradual grade to the final depth, but here it’s ever so sudden: half way, the depth plummets! In my first swim, it took me completely by surprise; coughing and spluttering, I grasped the rail whilst composing myself.

Back to the present day: looking at the length and wondering how it will go. It’s a long way… (more…)

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Parwich artist Esther Tyson is immortalising the seahorses of Dorset in art. This is her first collection of project diary entries. Please click here to find out more about the background to the project.

Day One.

Been to the pool, put my goggles on upside down and filled them with water, almost drowning in the process! My thoughts crowded with the prospect of swimming underwater, without my most treasured swimming apparatus… the essential, fluorescent green, nose clip. A good idea on dry land, but now there be dragons…

So, a summary of my first attempt: snot – and lots of it. Swapped my nose clip with my fingers, and they remained firmly clamped… will try again tomorrow… any suggestions, anyone?

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