My first and only Scuba Dive .( PART ONE )

In the 1990s and early 2000s , Anuj , along with his friend had taken up scuba diving as a hobby . He had reached " Instructor " level competence as prescribed by PADI .He had done day diving , night diving , shallow water , deep water and in fact all sorts of diving . Had done hundreds of dives in diving areas all over the world. 

Some liberties with truth are always permitted to proud parents for slight exageration of  achievements of their children :-)

Hearing him talk , seeing his underwater photographs etc I also wanted to do , experience the  pleasures and feel the adventure of scuba diving . When we visited Haveloc Island in 2007 we wanted to fullfil our wish for scubs diving . We visited India Dives, an establishment with whom Anuj had done the diving . We were told that a single dive was never done . One had to do a proper prescribed course . The shortest and cheapest course was costing about  ₹ 40,000 /- plus and would need minium of 15 days duration . We neither had the time nor the money .The dream remained a dream.

We again visited Haveloc , this time with Kesari Tours on 6th & 7th January 2015.Our tour Manager told us that a single scuba dive was  possible for ₹ 3500/-per dive per head. Total time would also not exceed about an hour . This was heaven sent opportunity to fullfill our long cherished desire and dream This time around , we not only had more than one hour to spare but also ₹ 7500/- & more to spare for a single dive for Priti & self :-) 

It came as a surprise that about 20 from our group spread over ages of 12 to 72 and from various ehenic backgrounds ,  physical builds from portly to lean, from salaried to bussinessmen , all types had opted for the dive . As the diving establisment could cater for a group of 10 at a time first 10 people from our group did it on 6 Jan . Right across the group from young to old every one had glowing reports about how they enjoyed the dive. . Self Ajeet & Priti , we had opted with the second group  for dive on the 7 Jan15 , Day on which finally , after almot 20 odd years my desire ,  almost a dream , for scuba dive was to be fulfilled.

During the tour , in self introduction activity , I had told the group about my Air Force background beibg Gnat and Production Test Pilot , the VM  etc etc . After that there was perciptible change in group attitude towards me . Or so I would like to believe .
Despite being the oldest , no one had any doubts that I will have no problems and successfully do the dive.

So on 7 Jan 15 wake up call for us was at 0430 hours  on the diving day as we were to reach Ocean trbe ,the  diving school by 0500 hours..  We were right on time . At Ocean Tribe we were kitted out in wet suits , diving shoes .

Self , Ajeet and Priti , all kitted in wet suits and diving shoes.

Priti & self in scuba diving gear 

After being kitted out , initially five of us we were taken to the motor boats and set course for the place where we were to do the dives.

On the way to dive spot.

Balashri Jalgar and Dinkar Attarde with us..

On the way to dive spot.

I must say that crew from Ocen Tribe  behaved & performed as true professionals . They went through the whole exercise in a very well rehearsed manner , which may not be surprising as they were doing it day in and day out , every day, during the whole of  tourist season .

Once at the diving spot a professional diver from Ocean Tribe took charge of  each one of us , so every one of us had a professional diver looking after us .

On arrival at the diving spot function and use of diving equipment , goggles cum mask ,oxygen tank , regulator , controls on regulator , mouth piece etc were explained . Hand signals for communication while diving under water were demonstrated and explained .Some practice on under water breathing only through mouth after putting on goggles, mask , mouth piece and regulator with oxygen flowing was given .

At the diving spot . Ajeet trying out mouth piece.

All OK sign after getting all instructions.

Others being explained the equipment &; usage . 

It was now my turn to practice under water  through mouth breathing.

It was here , when told to practice breathing under water, that, so far as I was concerned the whole project and my scuba dive went totally bust and almost did not happen ..............................