The Scuba Diving Expert

Scuba Diving. The Carnatic, Abu Nuhas, Egypt

The Carnatic is a great 19th Century shipwreck that lies on Sha’ab Abu Nuhas Reef in the Red Sea. It is accessable from both Sharm and hurgada (bit of a trek and weather permitting). It is quite shallow which means that it is accessible to all levels of diver. The Carnatic sank in 1869 but is still remarkably intact. Inside the wreck you can see the remains of broken bottles and there are shoals of glass fish inhabiting them. Penetration into the holds is easy for any level of diver and there are plenty of open areas to get out of. The story is that the Carnatic was carrying Gold when it struck the reef. Rumor has it that it was never recovered…Though, I didnt find any:)… A great dive.

Diving Instructor

So, whats it like becoming a diving instructor?

Becoming a Diving Instructor

This is my own personal opinion. I don’t think there are many people that are able to honestly say that they can do their hobby and get paid. That said the job of an instructor hold responsibilities. You are ultimatly responsible for your clients lives. The pay, well that can be poor, depending on where you are teaching, but the lifestyle, lifing in the sun (if you choose to) more than makes up for that I can assure you. I first became a diving instructor in the Dominican Republic. Working for Northern Coast Diving. At the time there was a team of 9 diving instructors, teaching all levels of PADI certification.
Any job that you do 5 or 6 days a week begins to seem like a JOB, even if its’s your hobby. The turnover of good instructors at a dive store is normally high. If you like travel, it is the perfect job. I worked in the dominican republic, then Hawaii. Apart from being a Diving Instructor, I also turned my hand to boat handling, so there are always other options that arise. Get your self on a good course, if you are young, free and single..or with another diver ….. Becoming a Diving Instructor is a fullfilling occupation, that I would recommend.

Paul Bradbury, PADI Master Instructor. (Over 1000 Students certified) PADI, SDI, SDI.

On the boats

Your job is your hobby

Sponge in great condition

Tube Sponge

Picture by Sally Rix

If you are on the north shore of the Dominican Republic I can highly recommend Northern Coast Diving on Pedro Clisante, Sosua for your dives. It is a very professional outfit, doing 3 dives a day and offering night dives and trips to the awesome caverns in Cabrera. See the site here and tell them Scuba man sent you.

My first dives. For the PADI ADVANCED course I was taken to Dosthill Quarry. October 1994. Yep, Cold.
Reading the dive log, I didnt sound that impressed with the underwater life. Remember these were FUN DIVES straight after the open water course ! Anyway, It would be good to hear from anyone still diving in Dosthill.

http://www.divedozzi.com

Dive Dosthill

It was a cold October day that I will never forget. After the much needed cup of hot chocolate I plucked up the courage to don my wet suit…..YES wet suit…the water just 4 degrees above freezing. Great. Once the briefing was over we walked to the edge of that platform and stared at the bleak looking pond below……What fun…..and with a perfect giant stride, I was in. After the initial shock the suit did warm up…..but to be fair, the face and hands, which were in thin gloves never do. Visibility….Mmmm about 2 meters, which is not bad, depending on where you have to compare it with. Some say that peeing in your suit helps with the cold…..It does for approx 0.4 seconds, but trust me the hassle with your partner later when you remove the suit is not worth it LOL.

The first module skills were carried out and I am so glad that there was only one other person to wait for. My dive buddy and good friend Steve……. I look back now and wonder how we actually managed to get back in the water for the second dive…AND go back the next day to finish the course. However, after all is said and done, learning to dive altered my life, my lifestyle, my outlook and even my personality…all for the better I must add. Here is a link to stoney cove. It is one of the best inland dive sites and does have a great safety record and all of the needed facilities, including a cafe. SCUBA MAN says Dive safe.
www.stoneycove.com

Dive sites around Hurgarda

SCUBA MAN SAYS… EGYPT TRY IT FIRST

Diving in the RED SEA, without a doubt gave me the passion for travelling and the sea. I had not long done my advanced course when our local dive shop organised a trip to Hurgarda, Egypt. The first dive in warm water, in fact the first dive in anything warmer than 6 degrees…Wow. First thing I noticed….was I could see !!! Ok, I am being cruel..there are some awesome dives in the UK and i hope to cover them soon too on this BLOG. I remember seeing this huge moray eel. Peter was his name …no really !! the dive leader made you pat his big head on the way passed…otherwise he would follow you around the dive !!! YIP I patted his head. Of cousre I would honestly advise and hope that any divers nowerdays DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING and leave only bubbles.

I weighed in at about 14 stone those days and my tank of air only lasted about 20 mins. So if you are an “air pig” please do not worry. Enjoy the time you have…you will get better and better the more that you dive. Nowerdays at 16 stone…but i am on a diet I can make an average dive last over 2 hours on the same tank!!….. yes, breathing all the time.
Anyway, first trip was 7 days of life changing bliss….I knew then that I wanted to do that for a job…..but it was just a dream….wasn’t it?
NOTE: The diving in egypt has changed since that first splash, but I do think in general. Hurgarda is calm, warm has close sites and is a great place to get your first few dives in after certification. Those first few dives without being taught will no doubt be the deciders of whether you do continue to dive or you quit. So pick a good dive shop and stay safe.

SCUBA MAN.

PADI CAREER CHART

SCUBA DIVING CAREER

Thought I would post this chart. It shows the career path or recreational path you can opt for in the PADI (Professional association of diving instructors) system.

Bahama Islands

Scuba Diving Video

This video is of a High Current dive off the Bahama Islands in an area known as the Washing Machine.

Paul doing saftey briefing before a dive

Scuba Diving Expert

As a naturally adventurous person I have always had a love for the sea and whatever lived in it. I blame that on Jack Cousto. 

I bought my first SCUBA Diving kit in 1994 and after purchasing it decided I should find out how to use it ! (This is NOT how I would recommend you go about it). After diving in quarries and mud pools as well as rough seas and hard to get to coves I discovered the warm water abroad !

I went on holiday for 9 days and stayed 4 years!!!!! (Girlfriend was not pleased) Oooopps.

I did my PADI exams to instructor level while living in the Dominican Republic and have taught over 1000 students at all levels mostly while working at Northern coast diving. I teach 12 specialities including DEEP DIVING, NITROX, WRECK etc etc. 

I received my Master diving instructor in 2000 and moved to Oahu, Hawaii where worked in a great dive shop, DEEP ECOLOGY. While in Hawaii I also did a 100 ton ships captain licence.

I have instructor qualifications for several organisations including  SSI, TDI/SDI and PADI.

So, why this blog?. Well, I do not envisage getting back into the classroom to teach anymore but I get lots of e-mails asking for advice. Where to learn and with who? Which organisation? Where to dive?, Where to see sharks and where not to?….so, ask away….

Most people that are laid back are people that get satisfaction in life by simply having a job, family and simple thrills. However, there are also those who want to make the most out of life. These people are naturally adventurous and want to try out everything that the world can offer. These people try extreme sports, such as skydiving and they also find great thrill in scuba diving. If you are such a person, then you will find that SCUBA diving can offer you the thrill, adventure and excitement that you have been looking for. ENJOY.