Under Water Wedding 2011 - Jule and Rob

“Will you take this man/woman to be your husband/wife. Will you love him/her, comfort him/her, honor and protect him/her and for shaking all others, be faithful to him/her as long as you both shall live?” that’s the question usually asked in wedding matrimony, like always in the church but this time we had something different, the bride and groom was asked UNDER THE SEA and they make lifetime promise on that moment… We, Crystal Divers; include 2 of the interns, are so honor to be the underwater wedding organizer…

We started from Sanur to go to Nusa Penida, took about 30 minutes to arrive in our diving spot, Toya Pakeh. There were 12 persons ( Jule and Rob as bride and groom, the bride’s parents, Steve as the planner, Toto as instructor and organizer, Gary as the photographer, Dave as videographer, Wulan and Vintty as assistance, Maweh as boat captain, and kencrung as boat assistance) on the boat but only 6 of them will diving around. The first dive, we can say the fun dive or pre wed picture dive, were held in Toya Pakah. While the bride’s mom and dad enjoyed the sunbathing on the boat.

After around 1 hour, they came back to the boat and now we were preparing the wedding. We sent the bride and groom to private beach in Nusa Penida so they can relax while we decorated the boat for them. We were picking them up again after 1 hour and ready to do the underwater wedding.

The first choice diving spot wasn’t a good place to do the underwater wedding because there was a strong current at that time so we needed to change the place to Ceningan channel and it seemed that this place was better than before but with lower visibility. We stopped at Ceningan channel and had a wedding lunch first because it was almost 4pm. This time it was a different kind of lunch, we made some flower decorator and buffet dinner ( usually we got lunch box when we had trip to Nusa penida).

Ok, time to do the wedding. We were putting the ballyhoo in the water to make some aisle under the water. Bride and groom also needed to get ready with their attribute. The bride used the white wet suit, bouquet and flower band around her head while the groom was weared a black wet suit and a bow tie. The bride’s parents were watching from the surface since they can’t dive. I and Vintty will be the guide for them on the surface while the wedding procession happened under the water. The bride and groom were really looked stunning and relieve after the wedding. They successfully did the underwater wedding. We  threw some rice to the bride and groom when they were coming into the boat. This is for prosperity on their marriage life. We put the just married sign and opened the champagne to make a wedding toast! Wow that was a great time and also tired day but it hasn’t finished yet. These were a first part, they also need to do it on the surface: P

The Bemo was waiting for us in the shore, of course with some decorator in it. We put sugar cane stem in front of the bemo ( the meaning of this is making their marriage always as sweet as sugar cane). The priest and the judge were waiting for the couple in Crystal Diver (since 4 pm: p sorry, it was the current’s fault). The bride and groom were standing in front of the priest and said their vow to each other again, that was a beautiful moment on the wedding ceremony when they promise to share their life forever.

We are wishing the newlywed, Robert and Jule, a great new life ahead! And thank you to share and trust Crystal Divers to organize this wedding!

and click here for more pictures and video of them

Side Mount Course

Diving with 2 tanks in your side, have you ever think about that before? Well that dive called side mount diving, usually the tec dive uses it for cave penetration so they can move more freely in the small cave without worry being trapped with the tank behind.

We had the opportunity to learn about tech dive level and this time one of the examiner taught us about all of that information. First he told us about level in tech dive. What we have to do to take the first level and higher level. He shared brief information about Tec 40 until Tec instructor, maybe someday we want to continue our education to be Tec instructor and with this level we can go deeper and longer than the ordinary recreational diver. Of course with more equipment and different gas blend.

Beside Tec dive, he also taught us about rebreather dive, the different between CCR and SCR, he told us in brief but its already enough to make us amaze with the cool video. We can close to aquatic life without disturb them because it will be less bubble if we use it. For rebreather it also divides into 2 recreational rebreather and Tec rebreather. Of course Tec rebreather more complicated than the recreational one which designed automatic use.

And the last but not the least, side mount diving. He showed us the cool video about the diver exploring cave with the side mount equipment... need a lot of practice to move like that I guess ;P PADI will announce this new specialty maybe next year so if you want to discover a new way in diving, you can take this specialty ( check Crystal Divers )

The benefits of side mount are:

1. Ease of streamlining equipment. When you need or want more than one cylinder, side mount provides a very streamlined package compared to many back mount configurations. This can reduce drag and avoids contact with the environment.

2. Easier equipment transport. Most people find it easier can be more easily managed on land because the cylinders than one set of doubles because you can carry them separately. When making dives that require three or more cylinders, this simplicity becomes increasing noticeable.

3.Versatility. Side mount works well with many types of recreational and technical diving, making it a great way to expand your capabilities with a single basic configuration.

4. Equipment availability. In some places, it can be difficult to get manifolded doubles, whereas you can get single cylinders any place people dive.

5.Accessibility. In sidemount, the regulator first stage and valves are in front of you where they’re visible and accessible. This makes it easier to spot and deal with problems.

6. Adjustability. Most sidemount configurations allow you to fine tune equipment fit and trim during the dive to enhance streamlining and body position. Most divers find this makes sidemount more comfortable than other configurations.

7. Problem solving. In recreational diving, sidemount makes it possible to handle an out-of-gas problem without your buddy as your primary alternate air source. In tec diving, you always have at least two life support systems; sidemount provides this.

Pool session time!!!! This was what we were waiting for whole day. Thomas let us to try his sidemount equipment. Actually you can use the BCD for sidemount and back mount, all you need to do is change the strap position, one more regulator ( if you use 2 tank) and of course a clip for hang the tanks. He showed us how to assemble the equipment and Eri got the first chance to try it... He was wearing the equipment in the pool with Thomas's help and he was ready to rock! He dived smoothly under the water, he tried to unclip and play with both tanks. Thomas told us that we will have better buoyancy with this side mount and yes indeed he is right!

All the interns had chanced to try this BCD and beside that the other dive master trainees also wanted to try it and we were really having fun the pool. Thanks Thomas for the lesson and the pool dive ^^

Dive Master Course

Dive master is the first pro level in diving. We already can be a guide and a teacher for refresher aka certified diver who long time didn’t dive. So they need to be refreshed about all the skills. There are some requirements to be a Dive Master: Certified as PADI AOW and Rescue Diver, 18 years old, Logged 40 dives, Complete the EFR training within 24 months, and of course the medical requirement as well.

To be the Dive Master is a different level with OWC until Rescue Diver level, in this level we will be trained as a professional who can lead a group or advice students. So we need to learn how to do all the things in the right way and using our good judgment. That’s why in this level, they will give us so many task to do like guiding, assisting, preparing, repairing, etc.

Beside the 9 chapter theory and 2 exams, we also need to complete some of the skills such as:

1. 400 meters swimming

2. 800 meters snorkeling

3. 100 meters diver towing

4. 15 minutes floating

5. Equipment exchange

6. Assisting confined water course

7. Assisting Open water Dives

8. Assisting theory open water course

9. Assisting Advance Open water Dives

10. Assisting Rescue Divers

11. Skill Circuit

12. Rescue no 7

13. Deep work/ specialty

14. S&R work/ specialty

15. Assisting DSD Confined water

16. Assisting DSD Open water

17. Discover Local Diving ( or we can say guiding)

18. Setting up the dive site

19. Mapping

20. Briefing

21. Skin diving

22. Physic

23. Physiology

24. Skills and equipment

25. RDP

26. Equipment

27. Days with equipment boys

28. Equipment service

29. Scuba refresher

30. Log dives

So far most of us already did some of the skills above like assisting open water ( in theory, pool and open water), assisting AOW, S&R work, Deep work, equipment service, and of course the log dive already 60 + J

We were gathered in the pool side and this time Minni was giving us some tips to put our equipment in the right order and that's the way the BCD should be prepared for all the customer. We also got a gift from Minni, the Crystal Bandana, and she had something to do with that bandana for the first task as DMT. We were asked to use the bandana to close our eyes while assembling and disassembling the BCD and regulator.. good gift and good way to use it :p We were needed to show it as if we teach students. We need to speak loud becase there were a lot of DMT around so our voice need to be louder than the others!!! Like Minni said in the first time, NO SHY in here! After this all the DMT jumped to the pool to do the 24 skills circuit with Minni.

We have time to do it slowly and of course with guidance from all our instructors in Crystal Divers, we need to try to be the best like always!

First Baby on Boat with Crystal Divers

One day, I had trip to Manta Point with Holly and 4 guests. Guess what, they consist of 3 adult and 1 baby! Yeah sounds weird in first time but it’s the guest requested to Crystal so we just gave the best experience for all of them. This time also the first fun dive I did with one of my great instructor, Holly MacLeod, never been diving with Holly for fun dive before and It was GREAT^^

Early morning we gathered in Crystal to sign and check anything before we leave Sanur heading to Manta Point. The guest was pick up in Hyatt Hotel, 5 min from crystal and they were really took a baby with them. He is 2 months cute little baby boy, Nicholas, and I can say adorable. Holly and I were thinking how about the propeller machine sound, would it made the baby cry all the time… hmm lets see.

Ok, now we were on the boat and I did the briefing before we started our journey to manta Point… apparently all the things that we were afraid of were not come true. The baby didn’t cry at all because of the boat machine sound... .wow that’s really cool! He was sleeping all time and only cry because he was hungry – well you know a baby right ;). The parents went dive with their baby with the Nanny… that’s really nice to know that 2 months baby can go with the boat, maybe I can take my (future) baby to the boat as well ;)

The journey went really well except something problem with new BCD one of them, beside that it was under control, we saw MANTAS – and we were alone! Ted and Alejandra were really had a good time with us and they decided to take another trip with the baby also (and the nanny of course).

Have fun and enjoy your trip in Bali for Ted, Alejandra and cute Nicholas!

MY GRATITUDE ~ Wulan's 100 dives

April… May… June… July… August… September…

6 months already I has been joined the Diving Internship program with Crystal Diver. I, as one of the new diver among the other interns, did my first dive with Crystal Divers. Still remember how nervous and hard to equalize when I did my first dive in Bali. I learnt more and more how to be a good and responsible diver since then.

I got more knowledge and information with stepping up into the higher level of PADI education. Start with the open water until now I started my Dive Master Course. Every dive has their own memory to me, even not all of them are good. These experiences, bad or good, will make my journey become colorful. I learnt from the bad experience and tried to avoid it to happen again in the future. Good experiences were a starting point to be better than before.

I also got so many new friends from diving. Our instructor already became part of our diving and they always support me and my friends. The DM trainee and new Instructors became good friend of us. Some guests are still being an ordinary guest but some of them became a friend. We shared our moment together and blended into one family. I can say “PADI family” which brought us into one, no matter where we from, how old we are…

Today, 20 September 2011, is my 100 dives - even i didn’t do the naked dive :p and beyond of the plan before - allow me to thank everyone who involve with every dives I ever did. My intern’s friend, my Course Director, All of my Instructors, All PADI staff, All of my friends from Crystal Divers, and all of guests in Crystal Divers… Thank you for taking part of it!

BUT….

It’s not the end of my diving journey! I'm still looking forward to other dives and new experiences with all the divers! Keep diving and be a responsible diver when ever you dive ^^

BEACH CLEAN UP IN SANUR

Clean Up the World is a community based environmental campaign that inspires and empowers communities from every corner of the globe to clean up, fix up and conserve their environment.

Now in its 19th year, Clean Up the World, held in conjunction with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), mobilizes an estimated 35 million volunteers from 130 countries annually, making it one of the largest community-based environmental campaigns in the world. The campaign brings together businesses, community groups, schools, governments and individuals in a range of activities and programs that positively improve local environments.

Since the first Clean Up the World campaign in 1993 the improvements achieved due to the efforts of millions of concerned volunteers around the world have been astounding. Examples of community-led Clean Up the World activities include:
Recycling and resource recovery
Tree planting
Education campaigns
Water reuse and conservation
Competitions
Exhibitions
Fix up projects.

You can find more details about Clean Up the World at http://www.cleanuptheworld.org

Those are some information about clean up the world and few days ago we had an email from Australia consulate to participate beach clean up 2011 in Sanur on 17 September 2011. This program was sponsored by Clean Up the World and many affiliations in Bali who care with the environment. Many of participants are from schools, community, and diving centers around Sanur.




On 17 September 2011, we were gathered in front of the Stiff Chili restaurant at Semawang to hear some opening speech from Bali government and consulate. The event were dominated with school students age 10 above and also the teachers. We also as part of Sanur community gave our contribution to this event to keep our beach clean of course ;)

All the interns, Dive Master Trainee (Cecilie, Will and Anthony), and new instructor (Jayson) under Paul Grant supervisor were joined the beach clean up that day. We got plastic bag and one glove to clean the debris in the beach. The beach clean up area covered from Hyatt Hotel Beach until Puri Santrian Beach area. We were in the middle and we decided to go to Puri Santrian way.

We found out not so many participants went to this area. They were going to another side of the beach so it was quit enough for us. We found many plastic debris, slippers, glass bottle and shards of glass. We were walking around the beach for 1 hour and came back to stiff chili to throw away the debris to the garbage truck provided. After the beach clean up, there were also some other programs for the school students such as story telling about the environment, quizzes, and BBQ. It was a beautiful thing to do to start our day. Keep our world clean for a better future!

One more thing about clean up project... We are also making :


Underwater Clean Up “Dive Against Debris”

at Sanur Channel

on 27th September 2011

9 am, meeting point : Crystal Divers, Sanur

We will provide all the dive equipments for all volunteers for this project. If you interested to dive for free with us, you can email to info@crystal-divers.com or you can come to Crystal Divers, Sanur, Bali. See you there!

RESCUE DIVER

It’s been a while since I wrote my last blog. Lots of things have been happened during these pass few months. We’ve been diving with a lot of different instructors for few weeks. Paul changed the schedule for each of us to follow one instructor/ dive master every week but we need to be flexible on the diving trip. If there is no spot available anymore, we need to stay in the office and help the office about selling the diving trips and diving stuffs. We learnt many more things such as how to manage the booking, how to give briefing, how to guide, doing a little part of tune up, OWC, become the victim for the rescue diver. Well all the stuffs that we need to know when we become the instructor ;)

Let’s move forward to the next level… RESCUE DIVER! After some specialties finished and now the time for rescue book. Like always we needed to read and understood about this course. Rescue are about managing the situation before it’s become worse and dealing with it if the accident happened during the dive. Like we learnt before in EFR, we also used term of “Stop, Think and Act”. And the same thing, our safety comes first. In rescue we learnt about diving accident and overcame the situation, what we should do and the best way to take care of the situation.

Each chapter gave use more information about dealing with every diving accident. They gave us a lot of time to read, answered the quizzes and of course the knowledge reviews. After several weeks, now we all sit together in the class to talk about the quizzes and knowledge review. One day was not enough for doing the rescue course so that we split into 4 days. And you know what, they all were right. This course was the most fun course that I ever had.

The first day was all about theory.. Quizzes and knowledge reviews... we did that from 9am until 3pm from the first chapter until the fourth chapter. Our brains were overloaded so the last chapter, exam, and the pool session will be done on the next day. Holly explained all things which we didn’t understand before patiently.

The second day we did the last chapter only for 1 hour and time to do the FINAL EXAM! Some of us passed the test easily but 3 others needed to do the make up test but at the end all of us passed the test with good score. Finish about rescue diver theory, we did the pool session with Holly and Cecilie as her assistant. We did 7 skills in the pool that day.

Holly told us to do a towing a tired diver race using whatever towing which is the fastest way for warming up. Two technique to approach panic diver on the surface, and I found underwater approaching was easier than other one like Holly said the last thing the panic diver want is going under the water ;) quick reverse was the next skill, we need to know this skill to protect us from the panic diver who chases and want to go above us. Distress diver under water- out of air, as a rescue diver we need to identify the diver who distress because they out of air and we need to give the octopus and of course take them to the surface, inflate the BCD orally. Surfacing unresponsive diver to the surface also have own technique, keep the regulator in the place (inside or outside mouth), and take the diver with the safe rate ascent.

Handling unresponsive diver on the surface is the longest skill for today because we need to keep the rhythm for giving rescue breath until we reach the boat and do the CPR. Safe the best for the last is a good word for this skill. For the last skill we need to do the exit from the water technique, we can use many techniques for this skill, it all depend on the circumstances and the size of the victim. We were carried each other to go out from the pool and that was an awesome day… It was a nice day to spend my birthday though!

The third day we did all the skills in open water with 2 more skills that we didn’t do in the pool. This time holly was assisted by Tony the new dive master trainee in Crystal. All the skills are the same with skills in the pool beside search pattern and throw a buoy. We practiced 2 search patterns that day, U pattern and expanding square. Throw a buoy also the other skill we needed to do that day. A little scenario at the end of the skill, Tony pretended to be unresponsive diver on the surface and we need to help him.

Last day of Rescue diver course and there were a scenario diving. Holly MacLeod as scenario director prepared the rescue scene for 7 of us. The victims for that day or I can say the brilliant actors were our lovely DMT Cecilie West, Mari Sasaki, Will Cooper, and Anthony Karasiewicz. This was the scenario for us, all we need to do is help and handle the situation for rescuing all of them. It was begun with seasick Cecilie, heat exhaustion Mari and tank drop injured Tony.

Time to dive!!! Some more accidents were happened under the water. Our diving was more interesting than other dive with panic Tony, Out of Air Will, and Tired Mari. Our dive was ended with two missing divers my buddy and our dive guide for that dive. We were planned the searching for the missing divers after took Mari to the boat and calmed Will down with his panic attack. We used the circle pattern for Tony and U pattern for Cecilie, with the SMB for marking where were we so we could contact each other with the snorkeler and another buddy.

Tony was found easily but Cecilie needed more time to be found. It was not end of the scenario, the missing diver turn to be responsive again on the surface and turn out we got another unresponsive diver on the surface Will and Mari. We needed to give rescue breath, towed to the boat and took the to the boat. Took Mari into the boat was much easier than took Will but we did it!

No no no still not finish yet because Cecilie jumped out of the boat follow with Will, Tony and Mari. They all were got panic and we needed to jump to safe them. Last thing Cecilie was injured by the jellyfish and Jink offered to pee on her hand because no vinegar available that time :p Now it was finish for rescue course, really really finished after some delay. WE ARE OFFICIALLY RESCUE DIVER now ^^