Al, Sheri and I went diving in St Abbs yesterday (23 May 2004). Images here.
The weather was amazing - really warm and sunny. The sea temp was an almost tropical 11 degrees.
The three of us were doing our PADI Boat Specialty. I was really nervous about the boat trip - I hate boats. As it turned out, I was fine on the boat (even when 5 of the group were throwing up on the way back). The boat was a small fishing boat, with an amazing captain, who was more than happy to help get fins off, etc and even made tea and coffee for everyone when they got out. If anyone needs a boat skipper in St Abbs, I can really recommend Peter Gibson.
So the dive itself - the instructors (I dived with Simon) were great and made the whole trip great fun. The viz was quite good, and diving next to 'The Wall' was amazing on the first dive. A truly humbling sight. There was quite a bit of swell, and the movement in the water was hard work. We got down to just over 13 meters.
The second dive had to be shallower (you always dive more shallow on a second dive). As we went for a swim through, which is where you swim over a section of shallow, submerged rock, the swell was much worse. The swim to get there was great, but I had some problems over the swim through. The swell was causing problems and in the middle of the narrow section, I got bounced to the surface. I did all the right things - ensured I had a load of positive buoyancy and signaled 'OK' to the boat - who watch for 'unsignaled sufacings' - the sign of a good captain.
At this point, the strength of the surface swell began to show itself, and I was bobbing around like a cork. I signaled 'OK' again, and began swimming out of the channel. Unfortunately, the swell started bouncing me off the rocks :-( I smacked a rock with my tank, and started to protect my head. I decided that I needed to get out when the swell next went out. I signaled to the boat that I needed help, and with a combination of me swimming, and the boat coming to get me, we met half-way (thanks Peter). I got hold of the ladder, and managed to grab the other guy who had been forced to the surface.
I wanted to go back down, and did - although the swell was just too much, and I only dived for a few more minutes. Al (my buddy diver) and I got back on the boat, and I tucked in to a cup of tea. I actually felt quite shaken up by the whole event.
So, what I learn? I love my training. PADI has taught me what to do in a situation, and I did it calmly and coolly. I know that I can deal with adverse conditions, and that gives me more confidence in my abilities.
In summary, I enjoyed the first dive very much, but the second dive was a learning experience rather than a joy. Learning like this, makes me a better diver, and means that when I dive next somewhere less challenging, I will be that much more proficient.