OWSI Training, Back in Kata Beach

Dive 108: Kata Beach North Reef
Max Depth: 7.6m ; Bottom time: 55 min
Water Temp: 30c; Visibility: 5-10m

comment: OWSI training dives with Ryan & Kaiming from Sunny Cove Singapore. Joined the dive were my DMT Chris Stout, and our current staff, Danny P. This is my first dive at Kata since april. Condition was outstanding, calm seas (very early for the Andaman Sea this season), and lots of small creatures waiting to be photographed.

IDC Training Dives in Cambodia

Excerpt from PADI Surface Interval Archive - Regional News:

POSITIVE RESULTS FROM THE FIRST-EVER IE CONDUCTED IN CAMBODIA
The Kingdom of Cambodia warmly welcomed PADI’s first-ever Instructor Examination held in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, from 2^nd to 4^th October 2008.

All seven competent candidates completed their IDC and IE in Cambodia, one of Asia Pacific’s fastest growing muck dive destinations. The programs were conducted under the direct supervision of Thien X. Do, PADI Course Director and PADI 5-Star Dive Centre, The Dive Shop, who supported the group’s logistics.

The international candidates included Shina Sakata, Mehdi Seridji, Lucy Plant, Ashley McKenty, Simon Herbert, and Paul Bremner. This celebrated event also graduated 2 new IDC Staff Instructors, David Polley and Birkan Tanis.

Additionally Bora Ran is recognised to be the first ever Cambodian Khmer (the main ethic group and language of Cambodia) to achieve the respected PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor and EFR Instructor level. The successful completion of the EFR Instructor Course in Cambodia will now place eight new EFR Instructors to demonstrate their CPR/First Aid training skills in Sihanoukville.

Ko Tas (Snake Island), Sihanoukville
28th Sept 2008

Dive 106: the Pier
Max Depth: 5.7m ; Bottom time: 25 min
Water Temp: 29c; Visibility: 0-3m

Dive 107: the Pier
Max Depth: 5m ; Bottom time: 30 min
Water Temp: 29c; Visibility: 1-3m

Comment: A perfect location for control training during the IDC. Visibility started at 3m & reach zero beyond 5m. Condition challenges presented me with the great opportunity to elaborate and expand on "judgment call" for the new candidates, know when to make the change. Seven candidates attended the IDC, and successfully passed the IE on the weekend of 2-4 October. See our Photos album on Facebook.