Kid's Corner

The first time I ever dived was on a Try Dive in Ireland and I loved it!  I knew it was what I wanted to do and so I was delighted when I found the SAA in Brigg.

I signed up and began training, first just the basics – swimming six lengths, fetching weights from the bottom of the pool and snorkelling. We then moved on to SCUBA diving.

Children Diving

I had to learn how to kit up, buddy check (where you and the person you are diving with check each other’s kit to make sure it works) and enter safely into the pool. We learnt how to control our buoyancy under water and on the surface, remover all our kit underwater and then put it back on (this is called ditch and retrieve) and how to remove our masks and DVs underwater and replace them correctly.

In case of emergency we learnt the correct way to bring an unconscious person to the surface and then to resuscitate them while towing them to safety. We also learnt different hand signals to be used both underwater and on the surface. We also went to theory lectures to make sure we fully understood everything we did.

To complete the elementary diver course it took around four months and I had to do a theory exam and a practical exam, both of which sound intimidating but are nothing more than we had been doing for months.

I now move on to become an Open Water Diver which means I am allowed to go on dive trips with the club which I am very much looking forward to.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Elementary Dive Course; the instructors were very patient, friendly and brilliant teachers. As the club members are of all ages I was able to mix with people of all ages and I met a girl my age that I get on with very well and we train together. So altogether my experience has been, and will continue to be, a very enjoyable one.

The Blue Lagoon

It all started at 7:30am in the morning which is seriously early for me and we set off. I didn’t moan much (honest).  I was quick to discover that the semi-dry is harder than it looks to put on and struggled a lot but I got it on and eventually got out and kitted up. As we were just about to get in the water it started to rain but that didn’t dampen Webby and my spirits. We got into the water and it was cold but strangely refreshing and we were in. It was the most peculiar feeling and I was pulled well out of my safety zone . With Webby’s help I managed to thoroughly enjoy it. We did mask and DV clearing and had a general swim around the lagoon. I had a really ace time and learnt a lot!

C ya later
Charlotte Mooney

A Parents View from Blue Lagoon

It seemed like a good idea at the time a shared interest with my teenage daughter, a common language, bonding time. Beautiful holidays in far away places. That all seemed a very long way in the rain, in Selby, at the optimistically named Blue Lagoon.
Well there was a hole and it did have water in it. Charlotte was nervous, I was worse so concentrated on putting together the O2 kit (incase of an emergency) “Mum you’re scaring me slightly.”  Paul Webster and Ross surveyed the site and did an excellent job of the safety stuff and providing emergency diving boots . While Marianne (aged 10) interjected with interested questions “Mum she is younger than me ? How old do I have to be to dive ? When can I start ? It’s not fair”  fortunately she avoided being hit on the head with a cylinder...just! Charlotte appeared to giggle all the way down to the bottom and came back up smiling. Paul kept her calm and focused although it proved difficult. She says they had a buddy line and he held her hand, ultimate proof divers always have a backup plan. You will make a diver of her yet !

Thank you Barton Sub Aqua for taking the time and trouble to teach her well and keep her safe and so till the next time …