Utila – Week 3, Day 3: Refresher Course?
UTILA
Week 3
Day 3: Refresher Course?
November 29, 2022
Whilst I wasn’t quite at 100% yet, I bucked up and agreed to join a PADI Rescue Diver course that was starting in the afternoon, giving me ample time to rest before the confined session.
After being stuck in my room for the better part of the two in the diving haven that is Utila, you can imagine how excited I was to be underwater again. I was dying to go on a fun dive – but for now, even assisting in a course would do.
My students would be Clive – this cool guy from Ottawa who’d been on the island for around three months, doing fun dives and courses whenever he felt like it – and Ken, a guy from California. Once again, I’d be doing the course with Gloria and Rachel, who, as always, impressed me with her teaching skills. I swear, I have a huge crush on her – she’s beautiful, smart, nice, and funny. The whole package! Also in a relationship, just in case you’re wondering.
During the confined session, Clive – having been diving regularly for the past few months – did exceptionally well. Ken, on the other hand, gave me the impression that he’d never dived before. Whilst that wasn’t quite true, he did admit he hadn’t dived in three years. Later, when I asked whether he’d considered a refresher course, he told me he assumed he’d go on right where he had left things – something which, in hindsight, he agreed was a stupid decision.
I can’t say I disagree – especially cause it turned into another hell dive – having to remind him of every single thing while hanging onto him so he wouldn’t float up. During the navigation part, I literally had to hold him down the entire time and point him in the right direction, given that his sense of direction left much to be desired. I almost ran out of air in confined, for crying out loud! But I sucked it up. He was also a bit of a slow learner – something I could totally empathise with.
After the dive, I helped Amelia out with her divemaster exam, and then, after news of my academic skills broke out, went over to Adah’s to help her out with hers. By the end, I felt completely drained. Still recovering from my cold and not wanting to screw up my dives the next morning, I sat out Tequila Tuesday – much to everyone’s chagrin. My third night away from the crowd!
Stay wild,
Marius
Post-Scriptum
Finally some good news! PADI replied that I didn’t have to do the course after all, as my ALS certificate was still valid. I had a conversation with Tammy and they went forward with my accreditation. Woohoo!