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  • gb Paul Smart

  • # PADI Advanced Open Water
  • Qualifications:

    Level I Dive Medic, DAN Ears & Diving

  • Dived in: United Kingdom, Egypt

DAN Exam Passed... Should I???

by Paul Smart on January 04, 2014

Ok... so I recently did the "Ears and Diving" Exam from DAN.

Passed with 100%, very pleased, and got a certificate to print.

Now the certificate is A5. So my question is... should I put the certificate into my logbook? Or am I just being a dick?

Thanks

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North Sea Deep Sea Diver Recalls Moment He Almost Died at 300 Feet!

by Paul Smart on September 09, 2013

Interesting read.... 

Website was down earlier but seems fine now!

A North Sea diver has described the dramatic moment he almost died on the ocean floor.

Deep-sea diver Chris Lemmons was stranded nearly 300ft underwater with no air line after the connection which had been supplying him with oxygen was severed.

But thanks to a heroic effort by the vessel’s master and fellow divers, the 33-year-old was rescued and resuscitated – more than 30 minutes after getting into trouble.

Read more: 

http://www.energyvoice.com/2013/09/offshore-europe-deep-sea-diver-recalls-moment-almost-died-300ft/

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PADI:OW - Open Water Dives

by Paul Smart on September 07, 2013

What a fabulous day! So having car issues meant I was up and out the door at 0700hrs this morning and on a bus then train.

Fun times but at the Dive Centre by 0905hrs. Great!

We did a gear check! I was given a weight harness, which I have never used before and it was super! I would love to get one, even at £85! Was very comfortable to wear, especially with 12KG in the belt and 6KG in the BCD.

The BCD (Scubapro T-Force) was brilliant by the way! I mean seriously good! Very comfortable and a pleasure to wear.

I decided to put my Scubapro Regs in for a service today to get rid of the slight leak they have. They may also sort the dry diaphragm too! ...

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Scubapro T-Force BCD

by Paul Smart on September 06, 2013

Got my new BCD yesterday.

A Scubapro T-Force BCD.  It's pretty awesome!

I was going to go for a Buddy Commando but have not be able to find one at a good price.

The Scubapro BCD is nice and light though (Does T = Travel?).

I can't find much info about the T-Force... in fact the scubapro website has no information at all about it!

I'll be taking it out with me on Saturday and Sunday in my confined water dives.I cannot wait! YAY!!

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PADI:OW - Final Exam Pass!

by Paul Smart on August 29, 2013

Last night was my final theory session and exam!

Theory session was just fine. Not problems at all very straight forward!

I took the 50 question exam and whistled through it. All my hard studying paid off and I passed with 100% - Very Pleased!

Now it's just the Open Water dives that are booked for the 7th and 8th of September!

How exciting! Cliff then wants to get me in the water as soon as possible and I can't wait for that either!

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PADI:OW - Another day another theory session!

by Paul Smart on August 21, 2013

So tonight our topic covered Decompression Illness, Dive Planning using Dive Tables, Other kit. Stuff like that!

Was pretty straight forward once again and using the Dive Planner (eRDPml) is a doddle!

Passed the Module exam with 100% (that 100% across the board).

I forgot to ask about altitudes, but I will try and remember next time!

On other news, my friend Cliff who pushed me... or nagged me... into sorting my PADI:OW is looking to get me in the water as soon as I have qualified. Well, he'd be happy to get me in before I've qualified but I think he is going to have to wait. ...

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Question: High Altitude Diving (Well Almost)

by Paul Smart on August 18, 2013

Ok, so locally to me is a great reservoir.

I was just wondering if it would be possible to dive in it (as it's so local).

Of course... would there be anything to see? What would the visibility be like? How cold would it get?

My only other question is... The reservoir is located at 900ft above sea-level. So do special dive tables come into consideration before 1000ft?

I understand that this maybe a pointless set of questions, but I'm new at this so help and advice always appreciated!

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PADI: Confined Dive 2 Complete - Skills 3 & 4

by Paul Smart on August 16, 2013

Great night last night with Instructor Chris and the rest of the group.

We completed a remaining skill in set 3, all of skill set 4 and we are now ready for Skill Set 5 and then the open water dives.

I wore my Two Bare Feet, Shorty last night. I also discovered there is an easy way to do the zip up without asking for someones help. Grab the suit at the bottom of the zip with one hand while you pull the zip up via the line, with the other. Sounds silly I know, but having never had a wet suit and already broken a cheap TWF suit because I was trying to do it up solo... Well you get the point! ...

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PADI:OW Theory Three : Completed

by Paul Smart on August 14, 2013

Back from tonights PADI OW theory Part Three!

This was all about the dive environment and helping yourself and other divers when in trouble.

Was all good. Another 10/10 for the quiz and thanks to a bit of assistance from Mrs. S I managed to get up to speed after a very busy week!

I decided that I definitely want to do my OWA and then go onto be a Rescue Diver.

I understand that Rescue Diver is a pretty difficult but highly rewarding qualification, but has anyone here got the RD rating and could you share your experience please?

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Advice Needed! Wetsuit Boot Drying!

by Paul Smart on August 10, 2013

So I have lovely Typhoon Titanium wetsuit boots!

However, can someone advise me on the best method to dry them?

:)

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