Dive #130 - Rich Torkington's Dive Log

The great visibility in Cozumel definitely helped our rescue training efforts
Videograph by Rich Torkington in Cozumel 2003

Dive Journal: In the morning, we ask the Villablanca desk to please move us back to our original rooms, or some other alternative away from the street. The attendant there says she must discuss this with the manager, and we tell her we’re off for some diving today and won’t return until late in the day – she says OK.

We walk down to the Lorena again this morning, and again inquire about availability of rooms. After such a bad night’s sleep, we find it easy to let them know we’re not at all happy about staying at the Villablanca. This of course doesn’t solve anything, but it makes us feel a little better anyway.

We meet with Christy and start our Rescue Diver training in earnest. Linda, Janel, Christy, and I settle down to a table in front of the Blue Angel dive shop and we study our knowledge review materials in some detail. It is fun to do this with Christy because she expounds on so many diving topics and lends her personal experiences and stories to each area of the training. We find it especially interesting to begin to see recreational diving through the eyes of a professional.

Following the review, we all suit up to learn and practice some rescue skills in the water. The area is known as Villblanca Shallows. Christy demontrates and has us each repeat several skills, including how to assist a tired diver and a panicked one. We also practice a skill involving making a response to a diver needing assistance with us starting on the shore. To make sure we don’t arouse too much nearby attention, we always call for “pizza” instead of for “help.” We also learn simply how to approach and talk to another diver who may be in some trouble, providing assistance and reassurance at the same time. The final topic involves towing an unconscious diver to shore while removing his/her scuba gear, all while giving rescue breathing. It is a pretty tiring activity.

One of the cool things I also learn today from Ron is how to hoist a scuba setup inverted over my head and onto my shoulders. It requires a bit of muscle but it is a really efficient way to suit up onshore. Ron says, “The day I can’t do this anymore is the day I hang up my wetsuit.”

Our in-water training lasts about 3 hours or so. Afterwards, Christy tells us that PADI technically allows 2 logged dives for this portion of the course, so I add them to the list. Christy then arranges for us to grab a quick bite at the Blue Angel grill. Then Linda, Johnny, and I (Janel’s tired) jump onto Shamu the dive boat. Johnny is especially ready to go diving today after reading on the waterfront all morning.