Day 8 Preparedness training continues

This morning after our briefing we headed down to the dive locker to work on navigation skills on land, we paired up navigating reciprocal courses, squares, talked about what to do when you encounter obstacles (ie the whole teaching crew in your path) and attempted some more advanced geometric shapes.  After we practiced navigation skills and compass work for a while we packed our gear up and headed to the beach at Muchobega.  (The beach that Cameron, Dave and I snorkled at previously.) Today we put together the skills we have been learning the past few days and did a full rescue of an unconscious diver from the bottom.  Leslie and I were teamed up and I must admit I was nervous at first so I offered to be rescued (ie unconscious) first. She did a great job rescuing me to the beach and starting CPR, then it was my turn.  

Leslie leads the way.

 After rescuing Leslie I feel much more confident in my ability to assist other divers in the future.  It is a skill set that I hope never to use but will strive to keep sharp and in the forefront of my mind while diving.  Rescuing someone is physically and mentally demanding but we didn’t stop there for the day, we moved on to imaginary emergency dive accident management scenarios.  Someone on shore would notice a diver/swimmer in distress and take charge, assigning tasks for everyone else to get the person to shore and to start administering CPR and oxygen as needed.  Derek ran us through the first scenario then we ran through a few more with others in the lead to get the hang of what needs to be done.  While practicing we garnered the interest of the local children swimming and some adults.   
 

Pinna nobilis looking smaller in pictures.

 At one point Lee swam out to be “in distress” and a boy, maybe 12, noticed right away and started swimming towards her, only stopping when Effie beat him there and he realized everything was ok.  At another point some boys and a man were watching and the man wanted to help so we had him help get Lee out of the water.  Everyone was all smiles as we thanked him and did our best to explain what we were doing.  After we completed rescue scenarios we got back in the water and practiced out navigation skills by planning and executing a dive plan within the bay with our buddy.  

Leslie and Effie watching Derek explain the O2 unit.

Leslie and I were partners and spotted some giant clams, Pinna nobilis, aka the "noble pen shell" or "fan mussel.”  We didn’t know that at the time though and lacking words we were still excited at our find unsure of what it was.  They were nestled in within the seagrass beds we were exploring.   After everyone finished their dives they showed off things they had found, Effie found a really stinky goat horn we left behind as well as some abalone shells.  I was excited as I had found my first abalone shell as well. (I have a special place in my heart for abalone.) After packing up, returning to the base, rinsing and hanging gear we headed off to lecture.  Today we watched the DAN (Diver’s Alert Network) video focused on first aid and CPR and got some hands on experience with the O2 unit.  We all had a chance to put the O2 together, take it apart, handle the different mask options and generally get comfortable with the unit. We then headed in to town for another delicious dinner at Limani, I had an amazing penne with shrimp and zuchinni.  Dinner was followed by beach wandering and much discussion about the “Super Moon” which eventually did make an appearance.  While waiting for the super moon we took a spin on the beachfront bumper cars.  

Bumper cars!

 You’ve never seen a group of so called adults regress to giggling children as quickly as when their bumper cars are switched on.  These are not the bumper cars of home where everyone drives the same way in a circle, we had no restrictions and drove accordingly. We then had some fun taking super moon pictures and headed home.  Upon our arrival Leslie spotted and caught a small tailless lizard, he had already been lucky enough to survive once.  We told him he was cute and released him, of course.  We slept well anticipating our trip to the Blue Eye the next morning.

Super moon above Saranda.