Choosing Two fish divers for my DMT was a last minute decision. My original plan was going to Thailand where I did my OW and AOW certificates. But just 3 days before I depart, I changed my plan to Lembongan. After a long trip from china, I was super exhausted, but when my little fast boat arrived in Lembongan, the beautiful beach view washed away all my tiredness.
I had been diving in Sipadan and during that time I stayed in Mabul. There I meet one Germany divemaster. He told me that he had done his DMT with two fish divers Lembongan, and if I was interested to do DMT, then he highly recommend me to go there. So I directly walk in, and confirmed my course after getting all the information. The boss (I forgot her name) explained all the details about why TFD can provide good training to make me become an excellent DM after all my course, and Laurent, showed me to my accommodation. I was quite impressive by the environment here, a nice pool in the garden, and flowers around, clean and quiet. After dropping off all my personal stuff, my instructor Bryce gave me a briefing about the dive center and how the DMT course works, he also tailored a very detailed schedule, from where I can easily see what my plan is for the morning, the afternoon and what I need to do in my spare time. Holding the Dive mater manual, the dive encyclopedia, Padi instructor manual, dive knife and SMG, I felt super excited about the coming one month ( maybe I will extent to 1.5 month for more intern time, I was thinking at that time)
The first day started with reading the DM manual Chapter 1 and watching the DM video to get a broad idea about what is a DM and the role and characteristics of the PADI Divemaster. As a native Chinese, reading books in English is a bit difficult for me, and I told Bryce about my concern, and he told me it is not a big problem, I can read slowly and ask any instructor about anything I don’t understand. In the evening, I had a class with Bryce and we talked about what I’m going to do during my time here and that I’m a part of this team. He said I will learn everything here and become an excellent divemaster after.
I have never carry tanks before, and they are really heavy for me. Comparing to other Chinese girls, I always thought I was a strong and tough one, but this time, my confidence was crushed after seeing Stephanie and Karoline (the other instructors in dive center) carrying 2 tanks at once, walking barefooted on the beach covered by crumbled corals. Me, I used all my power from my body and soul, but I could only carry one tank with both hands and stumble to the boat. It was like I was a mermaid who had just got her new legs. With all the help from the team, we set up everything on the boat. However, for me, I had no more power to do anything. Arms soar and tired. But my schedule showed I need to go diving. The first two dive were great, we went to Gamat Bay and Toyapakeh, the visibility was very good and the coral was very beautiful! But the temperature was about 24C, a bit cold for me. I was a bit unhappy about doing all these logistic stuff, because usually I am one of the clients who is sitting in the pool enjoying a cup of icy Coke.
Day 3, this was the worst day I have ever had in my diving life!! This day I was going to dive with Bryce to Manta Point and Crystal Bay. I found myself feeling sick on the boat and under the water, when everyone was feeling excited about seeing the mantas, I was just thinking, what if I vomit underwater… when we ascend I couldn’t help it and vomited all over my instructor! How embarrassing.
Maya, lets go, get ready for the second dive” Bryce said. “What?! I think I have DCI, maybe we should just skip the second one.” I replied. “You will feel better in the water.” Said Bryce, knowing that I was just sea sick. To be honest, my heart was full of complaints at that moment. But I choose to listen to my instructor. I dragged myself back into the water for the second dive where we did our search and recovery skills. I was soooo happy to be back on land but Instead of carrying me back to dive center, Bryce asked me to carry the tanks!! Well, fine.
Next day I came to dive center early, I told Bryce, I got cold. He ask if I want a day off. “No, I can dive!” I said. I had decided to accept the difficulties I’m going to have. I became stronger, attitude changed and everything! I didn’t feel tired, and I didn’t feel unfair. Good attitude, makes good result.
Day 5. Things are getting much better now. In the morning, was pool practice with Bryce, he taught me how to demonstrate the reg recovery, mask clearing, alternative air source ascend, and hovering, all at instructor level. And he told me to do everything slowly and clearly under the water. In the afternoon, our two French clients came and I assist instructor Steph to get the equipment ready for clients and assist her in the pool class. The class run quite well. In the debrief, Steph gave me some good comment about my performance; I did help her in the water and made one good demonstration. After this, Bryce taught me how to make dive center briefing, boat briefing, and dive site briefing.
Day 6, assisted Steph for the DSD in the ocean and skin dive in the morning. It was the first time I gave the boat briefing in English. I was kind of nervous, I practiced many times, but forgot one or two point. However, the clients looked satisfied with my briefing, but maybe they were just being nice to me. Steph told me all the details about how I should assist her for the open water dive. After a while, Steph indicated for me to hold the one of the divers. I helped him dive slowly and we stayed close to Steph. I controlled his buoyancy and remind him to equalize before he felt the pain in his ears. What I’m proud about myself is at the same time I was able to show him some interesting to see.
On our way back, I tried to put the tank on my shoulder like the other girls do, I said to Bryce, look! I can carry with my shoulder.