Helping Nature Do It's Thing

This Week, PADI IDC Staff Nathan Cook, Manager of Eco Koh Tao and his sister, PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Jacqui, took a dive off the beach in Mae Haad to check out our new artificial reef, Junkyard Reef.

 A short back an sides for this Peacock Sole, A lucky escape!

We had a great dive but the experience was marred by the swim back into shore. On the way in we came across a discarded fishing net with no less than 5 half-alive stingrays and numerous other marine life already dead or dying caught in the nylon net.

Tina trying to free remove a now dead Red Breasted Wrasse. It will now provide valuable nutrition to surrounding Marine life.

Without appropriate equipment and being low on air there was little we could do. But armed with many hands and scissors a group of dedicated divers from Eco Koh Tao and Crystal Dive headed back to the same site the following day to clear up the mess.

Unfortunately this Blue Spotted Ribbon Tail Ray did not survive.

It was a laborious task even with the many hands we had to help, we find that using scissors or "Sea snips" is a far more effective way for cut away at netting, knives can sometimes cause more damage.


For a time it felt like we were getting nowhere but eventually we managed to make some inroads and finally, after about 70 minutes we lifted the bulk of it up and out of harms way. Even though many animals died, left alone, such a net would continue killing and maiming marine life for a long time to come.

Thank you to Jacqui Cook and Instructors Darren Bennet, Tina Major and Justin McPartland and Kailash Cook for helping clear up te mess once we got back to land. 

Junk Yard Survey

Chopper Visits The Junk Yard.

Over the past few months we have had some coral nurseries at our artificial reef off Mae Haad but no real way to track the growth rate or quantify the data. So with this end in mind PADI IDC Staff and Eco Koh Tao front man, Nathan Cook joined some avid eco-divers to collect the first robust data of our small nursery.

Quadrant survey on our coral nurseries.

Using a Quadrant survey method that we have employed locally on Koh Tao’s Biorock Nathan along with Master Instructor Jeff Glenn, Instructor Kati Pulli and Rescue Diver Martin Korndoefer took quantifiable data of our local nursery.

 PADI Master Instructor Jeff Glenn collects data from Junk Yards coral Nursery

The visibility was not perfect but we managed to collect good information. Once back on dry land the team input the data into our spreadsheets determining that as a baseline we have 7% coverage on our 4 square metre nursery with most of that the branching variety of coral, acropora. Over time we hope this grows and will keep tracking and collating the results.

Jeff Glenn and IDCS Nathan Cook with their survey data

Jeff is also in the process of applying for a position in the 2010 PADI Course Director Training Course. Crystal Dive Resort wishes him the best of luck.

Discover Crystal X-Treme

If the predictions are correct, then this is the last week of the amazing weather, for now!

PADI Divemaster in Training Sjan, DSAT & TDI Instructor Mike and DM Loes

Crystal X-treme put on a series of free DSAT Discover Tec sessions for all those interested and that have completed thier  PADI training with us, the Discover Tec program is there to offer those with a love for diving a chance to try something new

PADI Course Director Kenji and CDR DM Justine, sports her new hair style "u go girl"

Between the two Tec gurus, Mike Clancey and PADI Course Director Kenji Takahsa, In groups of two, the budding new Tec wannabes spend some time in the swimming pool to adjust buoyancy and become familiar with the bulky scuba gear.

Newly certified PADI DMs Rowan & Dave

After practising fin-pivots and hovers, the group head into the shallow waters of Mae Haad bay for a short dive.
A few drills are to be performed, Students learn how to close and isolate their own tanks, adjust and adapt to their buoyancy and practice Alternate Air Source sharing and swimming.

Justine makes no mistakes as she shuts down and isolates her tanks

DSAT Discover Tec is a non-certification course and may be credited toward the DSAT Tec diver level one or DSAT Tec Deep Diver courses, you must be a minimum age of 18years old, a PADI Open Water Diver(or qualifying prerequisite certification) and have at least 10 logged dives.

Colm, Tec Shrimp Mike Clancey and Anna

Using Apex Regulators, Twin 12 Litre tanks + Manifold and a Double Bladded wing with Harness the course can be tricky and even catch out the most experienced of divers.

For this and other amazing info..

http://www.crystaldive.com/

Koh Tao Zones Out

Protecting the coral is the smartest move we all can make,

For the past 6 months Save Koh Tao and Crystal Dive Resort has been working together with the Department of Coastal & Marine Resources (DMCR) to develop a long-term outlook for the future of Koh Tao, and create regulations to direct the growth of Koh Tao in a favorable direction. Part of this project has been to create marine and land use zones; different areas that are protected or utilized based on the economic or ecologic value of the area.

It's not what knot you know 

This is a long-term project, and this year was used for planning and laying down the groundwork in preparation for the introduction of new policies and regulations to protect our island and the community through the next few decades. Over the next few months, the scientists, researches, and policy makers assisting us in this program will complete their studies and recommendations.

On October 21st, Crystal Dive PADI Staff Instructor, Nathan Cook took Eco Koh Tao and joined Save Koh Tao in helping to lay out the marine zoning buoys in Mango bay. Being regular visitors to Mango our expert help was sort to determine the best place to lay the mooring lines in the north of Koh Tao.

Start them off young, 7yr old Kailash Cook joins the cause

The aim of the marine zoning project is to protect the shallow coral areas of the island from boat and longtail traffic and anchors and snorkelers have a safe place to swim.

It was a successful day out although we realised the length of line we had brought for the job was woefully inadequate but that means we will have to return in the not too distant future.

 Thanks to "Dev" form New Heaven and Save Koh Tao

So far Ao Leuk north & south, Tah Chaa and Mango Bay have received mooring and zoning lines with a number of other bays still to be done.

Thanks you to all who participated. 

Lest We Forget

11.11.11.1918

Check Out Reef Check

Around this time of year it is often a question of when the monsoon weather will hit and how long the madness will last. The last few years on Koh Tao we have been blessed with amazing October weather and this year continues to be no exception.

However, as we move into the 1st week of November, as clockwork, the rains came. It's a refreshing change from the intense heat we receive for most of the year and the monsoon gives everything green on the island a chance to grow.

Experienced Ecodiver Kati Pulli during our Reef Check Survey in Mango Bay

With the weather change, Eco Koh Tao conducted a Reef Check Ecodiver course in conjunction with a Project Aware Specialty Program for possibly the last time this year.

It is one of the few short courses students can undertake that provides an in depth look at the marine environment focusing not simply on the creatures that live there but also their pivotal role in the ecosystem.

Reef Check maintains a global eco-monitoring database of the world’s coral reefs. Survey data from around the world is collated at their headquarters in California from vast amounts of surveys conducted by volunteer teams worldwide. This data provides important statistical data available to anyone with a vested interest in specific areas.

 New Ecodiver Sarah Parker showing us the sign for Hard Coral.

During the four-day program students are taught how to identify specific ‘indicator’ species along 100 metre long transect lines. After two days of practice and training, both in the classroom and the water students, along with Experienced Reef Check Ecodiver’s conduct and complete a full Reef Check survey on one of Koh Tao’s shallow bays.

Data from survey conducted on Koh Tao are forwarded to our Reef Check scientist, Dr Suchana ‘Apple’ Chavanich from the department of Marine Science at Chulalungkorn University in Bangkok.

 

So far we have conducted numerous Reef Check surveys but have also expanded our surveys to include more indicator species for our local environment in conjunction with the Marine Conservation Koh Tao’s Ecological Monitoring Program. In this way we are extending our sphere of influence so that more stakeholders and interested parties can access the data they need to make informed decisions.

Congratulations to those students who completed their Reef Check training – Sarah Parker, Kim Woodberry, Rowan Ensoll, Tammy & Martin Korndoerfer.  with further thanks to PADI instructors Kati Pulli and Iain Johnston for assisting us with the training and survey.

Bull Sharks or Bull S##t?

The Buzz on the Koh Tao Street at the moment is all Shark related, it maybe Whale Shark or Reef Shark. But either way it's all a positive sign.

We are visited by Whale Sharks on a regular basis, the season now seems random. It is said that The Gulf of Thailand is not a logical route of migration for these creatures, so why are they here?.

But what do we really know?

We also get Reef Sharks and in the early half of 2007, Chumphon Pinnacle was the place to be, you could not dive this deep water site without seeing a Reef Shark, it was almost guaranteed. the year 2008 and 2009 seemed to be missing the Sharks, It was a shame and old stories to new students became a time to reminisce "the good ol days".

In October 2009, the said, 400 million year old species, is back!

With all the talk, there was talk of these sharks not only being Grey Reef Sharks but some being Bull Sharks, or Sub Adult Bull Sharks as we later learned.

Laura Bailey, a PADI IDC Staff and super keen underwater photographer was part of a team organised by PADI Platinum Course Director Matt Bolton to look into this.

Taking advantage of the recent quiet period as low season loomed Laura went out fun diving last week, armed with here precious Canon Ixus 14 Mega Pixel digital camera with 2 objectives; to photograph these beautiful and endangered creatures at Chumphon Pinnacle and to observe their behavior.
Laura took some amazing photos and sent them off to some of the worlds Shark experts for identification and  advice, this is what we found out.

Opinion #1:
Dear Laura,
          It is very difficult to judge from the photos you sent. It seems to me that you are dealing with Carcharhinus plumbeus Bull shark (look at the relative position of second dorsal and anal fin). I am also attaching the page on the Carcharhinus amblyrhychos Grey Reef shark. The presence or absence of a ridge between the two dorsals (not visible on the photo) should help deciding between the two.
The chapter on sharks of the Western Central Pacific guide is available at
http://www.kohtaonews.com/carcharhinus.pdf
Michel Lamboeuf - Fishery Resources Officer
FAO-FIMF, Fisheries Management & Conservation Serivce
Viale delle Terme di Caracalla


Opinion #2:
Hi Laura,
          Nice shark photos! I am a shark researcher that works in with Undersea Explorer. One of my projects involves looking at bull shark movements and feeding habitats in Queensland waters and we tag bull sharks about the size of the animal in your photos. Bull sharks typically have a short, but wide snout with small eyes compared to other whalers. One of the best way to distinguish a bull shark is with the 1st and 2nd dorsal fins (fins on top of the animal). The 1st dorsal fin should be no more than 3 to 3.1 times the height of the 2nd dorsal fin. From what I can see in your photos, there is every indication that this is in fact a bull shark. Bull sharks also typically move close to the sea floor, just off the bottom. Grey reef whalers are also called black V's as they have a distinct black edging down the outside edge of their caudal (tail) fin. this is probably the first feature to use to distinguish them from bull sharks. My guess is the bull shark in your photo is about 1.3 to 1.5 metres long, which would sugget it is probably a juvenile or subadult. Was the photo taken on an inshore reef close to mainland, mangrove habitat or a river?

Jonathan M. Werry - BSc(Hons) PGDipED, Shark Researcher
Centre for Aquatic Processes & Pollution
Griffith University - Gold Coast Campus

Grey Reef Shark

Bull Shark

Have a look yourselves? What do you think? Look at the photos, read the opinions and have a look at the downloadable PDF files.

http://www.kohtaonews.com/carcharhinus.pdf

The Magnificent 7 (x2)

The latest in the longstanding traditions of the Divemaster snorkel test, made history last night as riotous fun and acheivement kicked of in the Crystal Dive Bar on the tiny island of Tao.

No fewer than 14 participants undertook their final assignment before ‘passing out’ (literally in some cases!) as Koh Tao's newest PADI Divemasters.

To all those involved in the, Joe, Asher, Rory, Kim, Loes, Ryan, Ali, Jochen, Martin, Wolfi, Barry, Ozzy

Rowan, Carsten, Stiof, Ivan,  Justin, Tammy, MC Luca, Sjan, Joanna, Well done!

For some the course was a stepping stone to progress onto the Dec PADI Instructor Development Course with PADI Platinum Course Director Matt Bolton and Crystal Dives 2nd and now very established CD, Justin Mayers.

Ali "Baba" Humphrey, we look forward to seeing you on the CDR Divemaster Internship.

For others, the route into the 2 week divermaster internship at Crystal Dive is the option and once completed, the choices of branching out into Underwater videography internship with Deep Down Productions is also very appealing.

PADI Master Instructor Carsten, having his own Snorkel test and taking it to the extreme.

Lets not forget, all DMTs past, present and future, can dive for life and for free, now thats not a bad deal!

The original team of 12 where joined by 2 more who thought they got away with it.

Jochen and Rory, both completing their PADI DMT Course some time ago, the chance to catch up was very well accepted.

So, well done to all and as we move into the monsoon season, the experience for Crystal Dive Resort newest Professionals will keep them on their toes with more challenging underwater and surface conditions.

WOW-Sharks

As history would prove, we should be at the beginning of monsoon.

Monsoon is a time on Koh Tao for those to catch up with DVDs and spend time hiding from the rain and wind. The visibility reduces to a few meters and the waves grow a few.

But in 2009, as we move into the last 2months of the year, we seem to have the most amazing weather, the water is still a cosy 29c, surface conditions are stunningly clam with no currents or swell. The visibility is fantastic with aquarium like conditions, the marine life? well it's a case of seeing is believing.

Timing is everything and you can’t plan trips like this on Koh Tao, to spend 30 to 40mins with a 5meter Whale Shark is on every divers Christmas list.

At Chumphon Pinnacle this morning, Christmas came early as PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer Mike Clancey, lead his soon to be PADI Advanced Open Water Students, Rooner and Maria for Norway, into the deep for some priceless scuba diving.

MSDT Mike Clancey makes everything look bigger!!

100% harmless (unless your plankton or krill) and the most amazingly patterned of all sharks, the Whale Shark is the largest of all filter feeding sharks and feeds as it moves effortlessly through the water, a very sociable animal and this morning spent time cruising around the large granite pinnacle of Chumphon, giving all in the water a display of what nature does best.

As we know next to nothing about the Whale Sharks migration and breeding habits and cycles, we use a Crystal Dive and Eco Koh Tao sighting forms to record as much information about the where, when, depth, size and diving conditions that the Whale Sharks was seen. Of course, photos are essential when it comes to individual Sharks. Markings along the side of the body, dorsal and pectoral fins show that each Whale Shark has its own identity.

Once the data is recorded, we enter the findings onto the Save Koh Tao and the Whale Shark Project Data base at

http://www.whalesharkproject.org/

http://www.marineconservationkohtao.com/

With this information, we can learn, educate and help protect these amazing underwater giants.

Bio Rocking and Rollin

On a Gorgeous Oct afternoon Crystal Dive Resort sends her Eco Warriors off to dive Koh Tao's Biorock,


Koh Tao’s Biorock, our major project for 2008 continues to thrive at its home over by Koh Nangyuan on the island’s northwest. It isn’t dived as regularly as we would like so Eco Koh Tao organised another introductory dive for divemaster trainees and instructors who had yet to visit this ground breaking project.

Due to a weak buoy line we are limited in our visits to days when the weather is exceptionally calm and the boat pressure on the insufficient anchor is minimal. Thankfully we had a perfect day for this visit and 11 of us took the opportunity to explore Hin Fai.

As well as being an introduction to the dive location it was also an opportunity for us to add valuable biological diversity to the site by transferring coral fragments found nearby on the sea floor.

As a site its scientific importance is of great value being one of the largest Biorock sites in the region. Research is important to determine whether the techniques and its technology deliver the projected results. IDCS Nathan Cook and Advanced Open Water diver Jacqui Cook collected growth data using a 1 square metre template to estimate the amount of coral coverage on the site. This is being done on a regular basis and will quantify the change of coral coverage as time progresses.

Thank you to everyone who took time out to visit Hin Fai, some for the first time. All the divers enjoyed the dive immensely and will hopefully have a chance to visit it again as it progresses.

http://ecokohtao.com/

Crystal Dive Helps 9 more to live the dream

 Crystal Dive Resorts Platinum Course Director Matt Bolton, Course Director Justin Mayers and Staff Instructor Torben Gregersen succeeded in preparing the nine Instructor Candidates to a very high standard allowing them to breeze though the Instructor Examination itself.

The last presentation was the confined water, which was conducted in Koh Tao Regal Resort & Spa new and modern swimming pool, above we have one of our groups giving their very last presentation.

The nine candidates from England, Finland and France worked hard during the Instructor Development Course (IDC) to learn the four facets of dive instruction. They fine tuned their dive theory, developed their presentation skills for teaching knowledge development along with in water presentations for both confined water and out in the ocean.

Crystal Dive's very own Divemaster Andrew Westrope, Caitlin Hale, Georgie Mills, Kati Pulli, Nadine Theallier, Neil Lyas, Pete Hamerton, Phil Ashley and Zoe Sterland all aced the Instructor Examination (IE) without anyone even needing to do a makeup.

Newly certified PADI Instructors, backrow left to right, Andrew Westrope, Phil Ashley, Caitlin Hale, Zoë Sterland and PADI Staff Instructor Torben Gregersen, front row PADI Course Director Justin Mayers, PADI Instructors Pete Hamerton, Georgie Mills, Katti Pulli, Neil Lyas, Nadine Theallier and PADI Examiner Thomas Knedlik. The certification presentation took place as usual at Dirty Nelly's on Koh Tao, Thailand, so it was time for a cold and well deserved refreshment afterward.

With the IE behind them Andrew Westrope, Caitlin Hale, Georgie Mills, Nadine Theallier, Neil Lyas and Zoe Stirland are already taking steps to further their education by starting their Deep and Nitrox Instructor Speciality Training. All but one are going on to do their full Master Scuba Trainer Certification allowing them to teach 5 speciality course in addition to the 2 they gained as part of the Crystal IDC.

Once trained in the specialities they will work with Crystal Dive's renowned instructors to team teach their first 25 certifications. This ensures that they get real world experience of how to teach from some of the best in the world.

If you are interesting in finding out how to join our 9 newest instructors in living the Scuba Instructor dream contact us, by going to www.idckohtao.com

Also remember, for more photos from the Instructor Development Course, the Mock IE and the Instructor Examination go to www.torbensphotos.com/diving/idc 

Rescue Me

On one wet week in Thailand became a lot wetter for some., PADI Staff Instructor and Crystal Dive Resorts very own super model, Laura Bailey assisted by John Robertson and David Jackson who are currently on the MSDT Internship, certified 5 new PADI Rescue Divers!

Johannes Kretschmar from Germany rescues MSDT John

The rain had stopped, the sun had come out as Crystal 3 left Mae Haad pier and headed off to Mango Bay with the rescue students poised and ready for action!

As we moored up, before anyone could jump off the boat the call sign of “Mummy, Mummy, Mummy!” echoed around the divesite!

Ryan from Australia takes care of a disgruntled Dave

The students successfully completed all 4 of their rescue scenerios, which included many, many (!!) panicked divers on the surface and lots of Distressed divers underwater. They also conducted perfect underwater search patterns to locate missing divers and successfully surfacing and dealing with an unconscious divers.

The students worked very hard to keep focused and teamwork was paramount as they were kept busy all afternoon, even whilst on the boat they were having to deal with simulated DCS issues, cuts, stings, bites, dehydration and heat stroke!

congratulations to Ryan Watson from Australia, Johannes Kretschmar from Germany, Marius Karlsen from Norway and Gemma Castle, Andrew Gough both from the UK for completing The Padi Rescue Diver Course and good luck to all of you continuing to your PADI Divemaster course.

You will all sleep well tonight.

The Last Evaluation

For the Assistant Instructors following Crystal Dives Instructor Development program the final evaluation is here, they have finally reached the end of the official program and are now participating in a Mock IE (Instructor Examination) conducted by PADI Platinum Course Director Matt Bolton with the assistance of PADI Master Instructor Jeff ‘Choppers’ and PADI Staff Instructor Torben Gregersen.


The soon to be PADI Instructors are on Crystal’s Boat #3 at Sairee Reef on Koh Tao, in the picture we have, back row left to right: PADI Master Instructor Jeff ‘Choppers, Zoë, Andrew ‘Mullet’, Pete, Caitlin, front row: Nadine, Georigie, Kati, Phil and PADI Platinum Course Director Matt Bolton, very front we have Neil.


Assistant Instructor Caitlin Hale are evaluating Assistant Instructor Zoë Sterland, whom is performing a fin pivot with oral inflation, Zoë was asked to forget to push down the deflator bottom so no air would come into the BCD and Caitlin very quickly spotted this mistake and got Zoë to repeat the skill.



We have a bit of kicked up sand on this photo, but Assistant Instructor Pete Hamerton is acting as a diver simulating an out of air situation and Assistant Instructor Nadine Theallier is acting as the rescuer, donating her alternate air source to Pete simulating to be out of air.

The group did excellent on their last evaluation before their final test: the PADI Instructor Examination.

More info can be found on www.idckohtao.com and more photos is to be seen on www.torbensphotos.com/diving/idc

Follow the block tomorrow where we will tell you how they all did on their Instructor Examination.

PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy

All the gear and no idea..

Is a term you could use to describe a diver that has splashed out on the newest and hi-tech diving equipment. the "no idea" comes from not being able to use it.

Luca starts with the basics

One of the saddest things you can witness on the coral reef is damage caused by bad buoyancy. By taking part in a Peak Performance Buoyancy dive after your PADI Open Water is one of the safest ways to preserve the natural reef.

He shows us an upside down hover

The single Adv or the 2 dive PADI Spec should be conducted in a shallow sandy area and on the dives you can expect to learn different hovering positions, a higher level of breathing control and general confidence in the water, above and below.

Perfect neutral buoyancy through a small space

Super PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, Luca treats his students to some pre Nitrox diving with a few buoyancy techniques allowing his students to progress with ease and build on their diving abilities.

When your trained this well, you will be able to dive at this well

By perfecting your personal buoyancy, Scuba diving becomes easier and more fun, by simply having the correct amount of weights (remember to do a buoyancy check) you can get as close to the marine life as you need to without touching it.

Its also an essential skill to have before you venture into your underwater photography and videography internships.

Lead by example, Well done guys

PADI I.E closes in

During their Instructor Development Course the candidates have to show presentations in confined water, which is like a swimming pool, they have to do several presentations during the course, to demonstrate that they can deliver and control various skills to the students from the different PADI programs.

Here we are having PADI Course Director Justin Mayers who in conjunction with PADI Platinum Course Director Matt Bolton are conducting this month Instructor Development Program.
The other day we had a very successful session in the new swimming pool at the Koh Tao Regal Resort & Spa, which is the new sister resort to Crystal Dive.
(photo of rescue exit)
Exiting the unconscious diver is one of the skills from the PADI Rescue Diver Course and in this photo we are having Assistant Instructor Neil Lyas exiting Assistant Instructor Pete Hamerton, whom is acting as the unconscious diver that Neil will have to exit from the pool. Before he got this far, Neil was giving two rescue breath to the ‘victim’ and had to jump out of the pool, while still having contact with Pete and at the same time taking off his fins. When he have Pete out he needs to administer another two rescue breath, and the time from he gives the two rescue breath in the pool and the two rescue breath on the edge, is to be within 30 seconds.

Assistant Instructor Phil Ashley is demonstrating to Assistant Instructor Nadine Theallier a Fin Pivot with Oral Inflation, which is a skill from the PADI Open Water Course confined water session #3, where the student, here Phil, would have been giving a problem to incorporate and Nadine being the instructor would then have to observe Phil and spot the given problem and either get him to redo the skill or remind him after the skill of what he needs to remember next time he performs that particular skill.
For more photos from the October 2009 Instructor Development Course go to

http://www.torbensphotos.com/courses/idc

Rescue Me

Happy dayz!!!

Making progress in the wonderful world of scuba diving on Koh Tao,

The newest graduates of PADI's Rescue Diver Coure and proteges of PADI Master Instructor and PADI Divemaster Trainer co-ordinator, Stoif McAilan was joined by PADI Master Scuba Diver Nyc

Big it up for Ali Humphrey from London, Kim Woodberry, Rowan Ensoll from Somerset and 'Team USA', Asher Tucker and Mike Kannon who were all tossed and turned through the most challenging and rewarding of all the PADI Courses

A huge amount of learning happens within the 4 day Rescue course and as a team the student must work together and problem solve above and below the surface.

Congratulations folks! Next up .. PADI Nitrox and Deep Speciality combe and then PADI Divemaster course and for some, the Crystal Dive Divemaster and Deep Down Productions Underwater Video internships.

Assisted most admirably by the lovely Team Holland Sjan, Loes, Patrick and SA Rory!

Thanks guys....awesome job

Koh Tao

Translates from Thai to English as.... Turtle Island!

Crystal Dive Resort's morning divers experienced an underwater surprise recently, when they had the rare treat to dive with a turtle. PADI Instructors Darren Bennet and Debbie Gottdenker, and IDC Candidate Nadine were swimming from Red Rock to Japanese Gardens when they came across a Hawksbill turtle making it’s way to the surface for a gulp of air. Patiently waiting at the bottom, they watched the turtle surface a couple of times for a few breaths before diving for the bottom.

The divers followed the turtle for a few minutes as it headed north away from Japanese Gardens. After peeking below a large table coral it stopped for a few minutes to check out the surroundings, giving the divers an opportunity to spend some time with the creature and snap a few pics.

Master Scuba Diver Trainer, Debbie Gottdenker

After a quick trip to the surface for a few more breaths, the turtle headed north again leaving the divers to swim back south toward Japanese Gardens. With huge grins of course.

Recently certified PADI OWSI Darren Bennet, happy with his mornngs dive

CDR+EFRIT = EFRI

Today, we follow the PADI Platinum Course Director, Matt Bolton's IDC Candidates as the IDC has a day off to complete the PADI Emergency First Responder Instructor course.

Crystal Dive Resorts Course Directors switched to their EFRIT modes, as the Emergency First Response (EFR) Instructor course took took place. The EFRI is a prerequisite to enrolling in the PADI Instructor Examination. The course was conducted by EFR Instructor Trainer and PADI Course Director, Matt Bolton and Justin Mayers, the candidates had a very interesting and knowledge rich day. All of the 8 candidates passed the exam and delivered very good presentations.

PADI Assistant Instructor Neil Lyas is practicing chest compressions on our mannequin little Annie. All the candidates did practice CPR, so they are now able to make a role model demonstration when they are going to teach Emergency First Response courses in their new carrier as PADI Dive Instructors.

Part of learning Emergency First Response is how to handle a serious bleeding accident. Newly certified PADI Assistant Instructor Andrew Westrope is here putting a bandaging on PADI A.I Philip Ashley, whom is playing the patient who needs to get a serious bleeding wound bandaged.

The Natural Progression

Crystal Dive PADI Instructor Development Course October 2009

PADI Platinum Course Director Matt Bolton and Course Director Justin Mayers with the help of PADI Staff Instructor Torben Gregersen is taking this month Instructor Development Course candidates to Ao Leuk Bay on the east coast of Koh Tao, Thailand for their first presentations in open water and rescue exercise practices.

PADI Platinum Course Director Matt Bolton is evaluating the candidates on some of their surface skills from the PADI Open Water Course, the water was nice and calm on this side of Koh Tao, the weather gave us a bit of rain but nothing unpleasant.

During the PADI Instructor Development Course the candidates will have to role play instructor and student from the various PADI courses. IDC Candidate Neil Lyas is here playing the instructor and IDC Candidate Philip Ashley playing an PADI Open Water student doing the mask removal and replacement skill from the PADI Open Water training dive #2, here Philip was asked to drop his mask doing the skill and Neil was very quick to respond and correct the problem.

IDC Candidate Andrew Westrope is performing a Controlled Emergency Ascent (CESA) with IDC Candidate Kati Pulli, this skill is also from the PADI Open Water course and can be done on any of dive #2 to dive #4 and must be performed from a depth of 6 to 9 meters. Kati was asked to do the ascent too quickly, but Andrew was very quickly stopping Kati and reinforced the proper ascent rate, so here Kati is doing the CESA as a role model student.

An important skill from the PADI Rescue Course is practice of reacting to a non breathing unresponsive diver at the surface. On this photo we are having IDC Candidate Georgie Mills acting as the victim and IDC Candidate Kati Pulli being the rescuer and PADI MSDT Instructor Greg Watson who is taking his PADI IDC Staff Instructor course, is evaluating the skill. After a very successful in water practice all the candidates had left to do was a 800m swim test with mask, snorkel and fins, to verify their water skills.

Crystal's Latest Advanced Open Water Diver's

The 25^th saw two new Advanced Divers get certified at the rock’s premier dive school. John Meaney from Dublin and Matt Ireland from Kent spent a day and a half with MSDT Iain Johnston. The AOW Course consists of 5 dives, with 2 compulsory dives; Deep & Navigation. The students then got to choose 3 elective dives from a multitude of Adventure Dives. 

Matt (left) & John (The Other One) pose for a photo opportunity

John and Matt joined forces and chose to take the Night, Fish ID and Wreck Dives. Throughout the course both students showed great willingness to learn the additional skills needed to become an Advanced Diver.

Chevron Barracuda

The Deep Dive proved to be a great experience for all involved as they managed to catch an immense sight of a huge Chevron Barracuda at 28 metres and then a Blue Spotted Stingray. Over the course of the Wreck Dive the students were lucky to catch sight of a Bristle-Tailed Filefish.

The usually timid Stingray pops out to be snapped

Congratulations to both divers and may you both enjoy the options the Advanced Course has opened up to you.

Bristle-Tailed Filefish under the Stern of the Wreck