Twin Set & Pearls - 24/06/2017

It's no secret that since the start of the year I have put a concerted effort into getting 'more qualified' as part of a push to get myself ready for some more ambitious dives. My plan at the start of the year was to:

1. Finish the ScotSAC Master Diver Qualification
2. Do ScotSAC Deep Rescue
3. Do ScotSAC Deep Diving (50m)
4. Do BSAC Accelerated Decompression Procedures

With number 1 complete and 2 & 3 organised for July and October respectively, 4 had been cancelled for June. As such, I had a little window for some training. So with just seven twin set dives under my belt I decided to do the PADI Twin Set  Distinctive Speciality Course with an instructor friend - Lifeboatman Ken.  If you're interested in learning more about the course you can click here, but if you're in Scotland and interested in doing it message me and I'll pass your details onto Lifeboatman Ken.

When I arrived Lifeboatman Ken was waiting along with a few familiar faces who had decided on the same location for a Saturday morning.

It's been a few years since I've done a PADI qualification and to be honest I forgot the repetition of many of the skills one must demonstrate, Skills, that personally, I'd just take for granted - maintain control of your buoyancy, perform a safety stop, etc. Other skills included practicing going along on your side, sharing air..... but not shutdown drills - which to be honest I would of expected as part of the course.

As such, the real value of the course was just spending one on one time with a guy who has over 1,000 twin set dives. That's where the true pearls of wisdom are.

So what did I pick up? Well...

• where to put my reel & SMP that bests secures my long hose
• good tips for equipment doffing and donning in the water
• better ways to set up my regulators 
• more experience of diving with the twins

Well, that's another card for the folder. Next up for me in terms of training? ScotSAC Deep Rescue in July, but before that, time for something fluffier in warmer waters.