IDC November 2017
After having worked as a divemaster in Cambodia, I decided to do my IDC with Scuba Nation. Until that point, I only knew them by reputation as a very professional dive center. I had already worked with several instructors who had been trained by them and all of them were very well trained and competent.
When I arrived at Scuba Nation, I found a very supportive team. Gerard is an experienced and knowledgeable course director. Straight away, he found out what strengths and weaknesses each candidate had and helped each one individually while making sure that the group kept progressing. He worked harmoniously with his staff instructor Chris who was always there for us- even late at night. Even the instructors who were not involved directly with the IDC were very supportive. During the last days before the IE, Vicky arrived. She brought a lot of positive energy and great advice.
I just want to say a big thanks to the entire Scuba Nation team for preparing me to become an instructor. What I learned during my IDC goes far beyond the scope of passing the IE.
Nektarios Papadopoulos #349104, from Greece
IDC November 2017
So I did my IDC with these guys November 2017. We were only 2 candidates. The course itself was pretty tough. Long and intense days for 2 weeks. In the end, I found the IE very easy though and I was very well prepared! No way to fail it if you do your IDC with Scuba Nation, they make sure of that. Cambodia may not be the most popular place for diving, but if you want to do your IDC in a small group, that's the place to go. They take the time to make sure everybody meets the performances required. The islands in the south of Cambodia are stunning and I think the chance to find work there after your IDC are pretty high.
All the best to everybody
Rae
IDC March 2016
Dear Gerard
I am so grateful for your hard working during Instructor Development Course (IDC) back in 2016. The weeks of preparation were quite professional and standardized. It was the absolutely perfect way to bring every candidate including me as the first Khmer (Cambodian) female dive instructor candidate to reach the level of professional, hardworking and successful which still makes me feel so proud of myself and stand in the position I am and gain so much appreciation form my surrounding people that keeps my career so valuable and meaningful.
Your instructions has brought me to respect the rule and standard requirements for being a good dive instructor and trustworthy in the entire job relating. You have delivered everything I could have asked for and more from the IDC and until now.
More importantly, I am so thankful and appreciated for you hard working and professionalism you have provided in every course you did especially IDC and I hope you keep making the best course rate ever in Cambodia.
Sincerely
Sopheak Keo
Dive instructor/ Specialty instructor
Scuba Nation Dive Cambodia
ជូនចំពោះ Gerard
នាងខ្ញុំពិតជាមានសេចក្តីសោមនស្
ការបង្ហាត់បង្រៀនរបស់លោកនាយកបា
អ្វីដែលសំខាន់ជាងនេះទៅទៀត នាងខ្ញុំសូមគោរពថ្លែងអំណរគុណនិ
ដោយសេចក្តីគោរពដឹងគុណ
កែវ សុភ័ក្ត្រ
គ្រូបង្រៀនមុជទឹកបាតសមុទ្រ ស្គូបាណេសិនដាយវីងសេនធឺរ
IDC March 2016
I really want to thank you for everything over the last two weeks. If it wasn’t for the both of you I would not have made it. You continued helping throughout the course right to the end and that’s really awesome. You stayed up late with us and took your own personal time and gave to us to help and kept training us. Yes I give to you and that is that you are an amazing Course Director. Thank you so much again, for doing more than you had to. I salute both of you and will never forget it.
Kind Regards Lucas
IDC March 2016
I have passed IDC in March 2015. Scuba Nation team did a great job. All team members were aimed to 100% result. Our course director Gerard, his wife Vicky and the rest of the team spent all their time with students. Sometimes classes ended at night if we need more time to study the material. They helped us to learn how to work together and feel ourselves as PADI professionals. I can strongly recommend to all my friends DMs I know, to choose Scuba Nation for this course.
>Best regards Max
IDC March 2016
When I was traveling Asia in 2016 I fell in love with diving and decided to go pro. After finishing my Divemaster training the Instructor Development Course was the next logical step, and I am super glad I did it with Scuba Nation. Gerard and his team are really determined to get everybody up to the high PADI standards to pass the exam. During the IDC there was always time for everybody’s questions and the team always had time to give everybody the personal attention they needed. And with what a great result! All students in my IDC passed. I would recommend Scuba Nation to anyone who is looking to do their Instructor Development Course, it is a highly professional, well organized place and the instructors will do everything they can to help you become your best.
Gerard, Vicky and Simon thank you so much!
Saskia, #376769
IDC March 2016
While travelling I had decided to do my Advanced course with Scuba Nation and what a fantastic choice I made! The professionalism and quality of the dive centre and instructors stuck in my mind, so when I went back home and decided I wanted to make a career from diving I sent Scuba Nation an email about their program. Gerard took the time to actually phone me in Australia to have a chat about the programs they ran & it was that level of customer service that solidified my choice and I instantly chose Scuba Nation as the company in which I knew would get me to the level I wanted to achieve- A PADI Dive Instructor.
During my Divemaster course I learnt so much due to the wealth of knowledge of the instructors around me, I felt comfortable and confident and I grew so much as a diver. It was awesome to go from just fun diving to actually guiding fun divers! I learnt so many new skills and also all the logistics of diving/dive trips that as a fun diver you don't really think about. I travelled on my own to Cambodia and the team at Scuba Nation became a family to me, and I made many lifelong friends. Everyone at the centre is always willing to help each other out and the team morale is incredible! Any questions I had were always answered and if I wasn't understanding something I was shown so much patience until I finally understood (HELLO PHYSICS!) I had the opportunity once my DM course was finished to establish myself as a DM and get hands on experience which I'm forever grateful for as it helped so much!
Then it was time to prepare for the IDC! For myself this is by far the most intense and most fulfilling course I have ever taken in my life, personally I felt more relieved and proud of myself to pass the IDC and IE than when I had finished school! The IDC is not taken lightly and is very intense at times but not so intense that there isn't time to have fun and have a laugh as well. My group couldn't have been a better bunch of people if they tried! But the person who really made the IDC what is was is of course super Course Director Gerard Leenan, or as he so endearingly referred himself as, Uncle Gerard! A man who goes above and beyond for us candidates to ensure we are fully ready and prepared for the IE! His patience and willingness to guide us all in the right direction to become the best PADI Instructors we can be is commendable, and made us all want to strive to get the best results possible! Not only were we physically prepared (skills, teaching etc.) we were also all mentally prepared for the IE as we were given practice exams during the IDC, plenty of lectures and pep talks!
During our IDC we also had the honour of having two amazing Staff Instructors, Vicky and Simon! Two fantastic and very experienced instructors, they always told us "how it was" when we needed to hear it the most and they were constantly there for us with open ears and ready to answer any questions. They were always willing to stay for as long as possible, even if it meant late into the night, to ensure we were prepared for any tasks we had ahead of us!
When the IE finally began I was by far the most nervous I have ever been in my life! Not because I wasn't prepared but because I didn't want to screw up what I had worked so hard for, I completely trusted everything I had been taught though, and with Gerards 100% IE pass rate I knew I could do it! And I did! It was the most incredible journey ever, I was soooo relieved to have finally achieved my dream! It was an incredible, challenging and rewarding experience the whole way through and taught me so much, not just about diving, but about myself also.
Not only do Gerard, Vicky and Simon know their stuff as diving instructors they also throw an amazing IE party! Thanks for that!
So if your looking at beginning a career in diving you would be crazy to not allow Scuba Nation to help you achieve that dream! They are professional, knowledgeable and go above and beyond as a team to allow you to have the best experience possible!
Thanks again to Gerard, Vicky, Simon and also to all the team at Scuba Nation behind the scenes who worked so hard to allow the IDC to run so smoothly! HAPPY DIVING!
Hannah Young OSWI #375315
IDC November 2016
After working nearly one year as DM on Koh Rong Samloem, a little Island off the cost of Cambodia, I descided to do the next step and become a PADI diving Instructor.
Fist I thought I have to go to Thailand for a month, but then I found out, that Scuba Nation was doing an IDC just in that time I wanted to do mine. So I gave it a try.
It was absolute the right decision. Gerad is a very professional, knowledgeable and fun Course Director. Chris as Staff Instructor was very helpful, every day until late at night if we needed him and don’t forget Gerard’s wife and co-owner Vicky! She is just great in every way! With the three of them, they have a great, knowledgeable, super friendly and fun team, which I would recommend to everyone who doesn’t like to be just a number in his IDC, but a friend!
Thank you again for the unforgettable time with Scuba Nation. I had a lot of fun and II think I’m quite a good Instructor now thanks to all of you!
See you next time in Cambodia!
Best Wishes,
Christoph “Rubi” Rubner
IDC November 2016
I have done my divemaster certification and my IDC with Scuba Nation Cambodia. This family run scuba diving operation is top notch here in Cambodia. The owners, Gerard and Vicky are real scuba divers who care about every facet of the business of scuba diving... You cannot put a dollar amount on the quality of service provided to customers and students wanting certification.
Gerard is a PADI Course Director and Vicky is a Master Instructor who provide hands on training during the IDC...their quality of training/knowledge and passion for scuba diving is priceless..a hidden jewel in Sihanoukville scuba diving worth checking out. Highly recommended for those seeking to go pro in scuba diving/ highly recommended for certified divers wanting quality equipment and service for day trips or overnight excursions to the islands of Cambodia.
Maxima Hay from Cambodia
IDC June 2015
I went here in Cambodia at Scuba nation in November to do the "from Zero to hero" program course. I was looking for something different and new to learn and new experiences to add to my traveller life and I realised that the staff was so good to teach and transmit their passion that I wanted to get through the IDC so after 6 months here I am!! I would thank all the staff; they are very professional and excellent teacher!! I would recommend Scuba Nation to anybody want to take any certifications or just an underwater adventure here In Sihanoukville!!! Best diving school in Cambodia!!
Jaccopo Brozzi from Italy
IDC June 2015
After much thought I finally decided to do my IDC, the course that I feared the most. I have dived all over the world and have heard many horror stories about IDC's, so I did heaps of research before I committed to a dive centre. When I went into Scuba Nation, the course director Gerard was happy to spend some time with me to chat about the course and discuss all aspects of the upcoming IDC, which made me immediately comfortable with Scuba Nation. When I finally signed up for the course there was only one week before it started so I had my work cut out to get prepared. During this time all the staff were always ready to help me with any problems I had and definitely made the preparation process easier.
After starting the course I realised that all my fears were unfounded. Even though it is an intense course the materials were delivered in a structured professional manner making it less intimidating. The staff went out of their way to make sure that all the candidates had support and were able to focus on the job at hand. Along with Gerard, we had the IDC staff members (Tony and Vicky) available to help with the many queries and problems we had, even if it meant a late night in the classroom. During the course I definitely had the feeling that we were being trained to teach scuba diving, not just shown how to pass the IE.
When the time came to do the IE, I was so happy with the quality of the training we received that it just felt like just another day on the course. I think Gerard, Vicky and Tony were more stressed than the candidates when it came time to sit the IE. It was funny to see them nervously awaiting our results like expectant fathers. I'm happy to say that all the candidates didn't just pass the IE, we nailed it. I can see why Scuba Nation has a 100% pass rate for the IE because the training was thorough and definitely developed an instructor out of me
I would like to thank Gerard and all the staff of Scuba Nation for making the IDC a great experience that resulted in a successful IE. To my amazement, doing the IDC was actually fun and has given me many good memories and friends.
Thank you Scuba Nation.
Pete #361992
IDC June 2014
Doing my Instructor Development course at Scuba Nation Diving Centre was without a doubt the best decision in my diving career. Gerard has a lot of experience as a course director what you can realize from minute zero after meeting him. He is able to provide a course with a combination of organisation, very high quality and safety standards, professionalism and, yes, also a lot of fun.
He is an incredible mentor, enthusiastic, very close and approachable. He was able to see what each candidate could achieve and was successful at making us work hard and as a team to show the best version of ourselves. As a result we all passed the Instructor Exam with flying colours and became professional and confident PADI OWSI. Vicky was one of the staff instructors during my course. She, like Gerard, is very passionate about teaching and they both easily transmit their love for diving and respect for underwater life.
Vicky is also brilliant and simply knows everything. She has a natural talent to transmit information and to solve doubts. Always when I had a question for her I realized that she instantly understood exactly what I meant and gave me an answer that was clear and to the point. It was a pleasure and a privilege to meet them both in my life and I would like to thank them for an excellent course and to make me feel part of the Scuba Nation family, the best dive centre in Cambodia.
It was also nice to dive in the beautiful Cambodian waters and stay in that lovely country. I recommend 100% to pick Scuba Nation to anyone looking for a place to do their PADI IDC. I am sure that it will not only be a personal growth and a lot of fun, but a life change experience. Veronica Domenica
IDC June 2014
I completed my Divemaster course in Cambodia with Scuba Nation, and continued my education with this group of fantastic people. The IDC candidates were from various countries, which made it very interesting to get us all work together and become a team. In our group everyone was very focused on getting the maximum result becoming an OWSI instructor. This focus and preparation prior the IDC made it so that we sometimes had tensions in the group. With this focus we lost the idea of being a team sometimes.
Fortunately the IDC team and the other members of staff at Scuba Nation are wonderful people managers, and they got everyone working and helping each other out with learning difficulties, language and cultural backgrounds. Perhaps the IDC staff had more hard work than the candidates themselves during my IDC, but they managed it smoothly and made everyone feel important and along the way during the process they managed to bring us from a strong links to an even stronger chain.
In my IDC i learned more about people’s behaviour, managing and adapting learning styles and made me a better diver. At the end that's what it’s all about. Your IDC training is to show others how beautiful the underwater world is and pass your passion forward to new people from all over the world. The IDC staff at Scuba Nation are already a long time in this business and they share all their experience (24 hours a day if you really wish for it ) with the candidates to make them better and stronger and get them prepared for a job as OWSI instructor. The IDC program will give you what you put into it. Scuba Nation, Vicky and Gerard give you all the opportunities of getting you work in the dive industry. The network they know and have is already a good argument to conduct your IDC with Scuba Nation if you want to become an OWSI and get yourself a career in the diving industry.
The IDC staff does not take the IDC as a light program and they prepare you so good to make you a worthy IE candidate. If you pass the IDC with the 'Godfather' of diving in Cambodia then for sure you will find the IE more easy to handle. The only ones who you see become nervous around you during the IE are the IDC staff, because they like to maintain their 100% first time passing rate and wish to see all the candidates as a representation of the quality of Scuba Nation.
Personally for me as I gave up my livelihood in Holland the IDC for me had more to do with the focus on learning, adapting all new formats and honestly trying to get the most out of it. The fun part started when the IE kicked off, I felt like a kid in a candy store with an unlimited budget to spend. Now, one and half years after my IDC I still get an enormous smile on my face because I got what I wanted... a diving career! And all of the candidates during my IDC have that same magical smile as well.
Thanks for the wise lessons from the 'Godfather' of diving in Cambodia, PADI Course Director Gerard Leenen and thanks to all other IDC staff, Vicky, Tony, Simon and of course all the other people from Scuba Nation behind the scenes.
Emile Burggraaf
OWSI : 340704
IDC June 2014
Scuba Nation’s IDC course was the most challenging and rewarding experience i have ever undertaken in personal development and life! The dream team of Gerard, Vicky, Tony and Simon led us through our course, training, preparation and examinations, to success. The entire delivery was well organised, professional, caring and complete way. As is natural and part of such a course, challenges were supported until confidence and capability meant they become routine tasks.
Support was always there and time to work on areas needing it available. We had a few good laughs, which i remember still today too! The IDC examination itself went ahead despite our challenges with weather conditions on the big day! The experience of the team was a massive benefit as the elements work against us. And all succeeded in their respective challenges. My fellow candidates and I became a strong team over the fortnight.
I have no hesitation to fully recommend the Scuba Nation team led by Gerard and Vicky, for anyone considering ‘going pro’, let alone taking your Open Water or fun dives with them. Thank you Scuba Nation!
Rob, UK, IDC Candidate July 2014
IDC November 2014
The IDC program run by Scuba Nation is absolutely one of the best experiences of my life. Preparing to become an instructor is a true challenge but absolutely worth it. Some would say they put us through two weeks of hell but at the end of it they had fully prepared us for our IE. I loved my time spent with the team and the other students during the process.
Everybody was very supportive of one another and there were of course a few laughs along the way. Plenty of laughs, a lot of coffee and for all four of us a nice celebration at the end of our IE. Gerard and Vicky, the pair of you are absolutely awesome. If anyone out there has their hesitations about diving in Cambodia, put them aside. In my humble opinion, you won't find a more professional, safe and fun operation run anywhere else in the world. I look forward to getting back to Cambodia one day to catch up with this group of legends.
To anyone who decides to do their IDC with Scuba Nation, best of luck. You will not regret it.
Jamie Herbert #350887
IDC November 2014
I did not expect to even dive in Cambodia or that it was even possible and then i met Scuba Nation staff, extremely friendly and also very flexible, they are doing their best to fit peoples needs. So i decided to take the Rescue diver course with them and it was so great that i signed for the Divemaster course right after that. I took about 2 months to complete my training, could have been a lot faster but i was so happy to take the time to learn a lot more than the performance requirements of the course and everybody around the centre was eager to teach with amazing knowledge and background.
Worked a little bit as a Divemaster and then came back to do the IDC with Scuba Nation. Those are really 2 long weeks, forget about having a life. You are going in full IDC mode, but the thing is that it's also very funny and the ambiance during lectures is great, confined water and open water session are also a blast and Scuba Nation's Course Director Gerard makes sure that you learn as much as possible to become a confident OWSI. It felt like my head was going to explode but at the end of the IDC comes the IE and even if it was quite scary it went so fast that before we all realized we all passed and became PADI instructor.
Thank you Scuba Nation team for everything and special thanks to Gerard and Vicky.
Christopher Haman #303773
IDC July 2013
IDC done in Cambodia, IE in Bali
IDC July 2012
Our course Director Gerard Leenen running an IDC for B&J Tioman Malaysia
IDC November 2012
Having just passed my Instructor Exam I would like to thank Gerard, Sammi and Scuba Nation Dive Centre for giving me the skills and confidence to become an instructor. The Instructor Development Course was very comprehensive however, Gerard and Sammi (IDC Staff Instructor) were constantly on hand to give us their expertise and help me and the other candidates.
Both would be on hand even into the night, helping us to prepare and lending advice. The IDC was well structured with lots of time in the pool, practicing skills and control. The theory was challenging but Sammi and Gerard made sure we had a good understanding before going into the IE. There were only 3 candidates on the course so the staff had plenty of time for all of us. We were more than prepared for the IE, which we all passed. I am now looking forward to working for Scuba Nation and teaching people to SCUBA dive.
Thank you very much Gerard, Sammi, Vicky and all the staff at SNDC for your help and support.
Alan Timmins #292931
IDC November 2012
I did the IDC Course and 5 specialties In Cambodia with Scuba Nation Diving Center over a period of three weeks totally. It was a very special and challenging experience for me where i learned and practiced teaching people in theory and in practice!! Many thanks to erard the Course director and the staff for the effort they put in to make us feel better and encourage us with all our tasks, and they made sure that we kept it up and reduced stress,.
The food and the service was very good also.an unforgettable experience. The Specialty courses were very professional, we did an overnight live-a-board trip where we practiced training dives, the staff kept us always entertained, amazing dives with a lot of nice creatures to see, very nice colors and pretty clear water!!! food was nice too :) Many thanks
Yassin Benjemia #306477 from Sweden
IDC November 2012
When I decided to make the step up from PADI Divemaster to PADI Open Water Instructor I choose Scuba Nation as the dive centre where I would complete my IDC I could not have made a better choice for me personally. It really felt to me that as they are the ony IDC (Instructor Development Centre) in Cambodia, Scuba Nation does that little bit extra that I don't believe you will find at other bigger well known IDC Dive Centres around the world.
The Scuba Nation IDC staff were really friendly and supportive it felt like the Course Director (Gerard), Instructors (Vicky,Sammi,Craig) and candidates were all one big team striving towards the goal of producing the best possible PADI OWSI's.
I would like to thank the entire staff at Scuba Nation, your attention to detail and the extra hours you guys put in long after closing time gave me the confidence to undertake the IE (Instructor Exam) without the slightest bit of tension and anxiety. It was only after completing my first Open Water course, with real students who had never dived before, that I realised the benefit of doing my IDC at Scuba Nation... At Scuba Nation Gerard and his team did not just help me pass the IE rather they helped me become the best possible instructor I can be when it comes to the real thing.
Thanks a lot Scuba Nation for the great memories and the lost memories... Oh and did I mention they also throw an awesome IE graduation party.
Martin (PADI OWSI #303983) from Poland
IDC June 2011
“Instructor Development Course-EXCELLENT”
This summer I did the IDC with Scuba Nation and Gerard and Vicky ran an excellent IDC. It was well organized and they went above and beyond to help the candidates be prepared for the IE. We had specific objectives each day which were built upon the previous day. We were challenged to think and be prepared for situations that we might really have to respond to as instructors.
There was ample time for pool sessions, theory, OW water sessions (in fact we even had time to do extra sessions which I felt made me even more prepared for the IE:) What was really telling was when I taught my first course-I felt confident and prepared to teach the course. If you are looking to do your IDC Cambodia is a great place to go to do it-food, accommodation is cheap and of course the people are wonderful. Plus, Scuba Nation runs an excellent dive centre with friendly staff and if you are looking for a 5 star IDC centre then give Scuba Nation a try-you will be MORE than ready when you take the Instructor Exam! Thanks Gerard and Vicky, you ROCK!
Christine Wright from USA
IDC June 2011
I arrived in Cambodia as an Advanced open water in February. I had the idea of doing my divemaster here but i did not know about the local companies. After a quick interview with the Scuba Nation staff, and after a look on the reviews on the web, it was clear for me that I had to be trained by Scuba Nation. So then I did my rescue, EFR and finally my Divemaster training. I've been trained in a very efficient way with a great staff. That was not only about diving, that also about setting up day trips and overnight trips. To see all the logistic behind was very interesting and also their value of costumer care is amazing.
It's because of all those factors that I've decided to stay with them to do my IDC in June. Gerard gave us a lot of time to prepare our IE in the most efficient way. Chris and I were ready for the IE by the end of the IDC and we both passed with very good scores.
Scuba Nation is more than a dive shop, it’s a career experience.
Sebastien from France
IDC May 2010
I would like to share my experience during the IDC training with Scuba Nation in Cambodia. One word: Congratulations! The flexible timing for the courses and the training have been very helpful because my rest time was tight. Over four years I planned to go through the IDC course, but unfortunately I couldn’t manage two weeks holiday in the same time frame of any courses in Indonesia, Thailand, etc … with Scuba Nation during evening time I had the possibility to follow training in Phnom Penh city where I’m working. Afterwards the training in Sihanoukville was only ten days: convenient personal course teaching.
By the way, I came back to diving, 5 years between DM and IDC. I based my success on the positive severity and strict quote of Gerard during the IDC. During the IDC training the exercise criteria where done to perfection, I couldn’t reach any 5! Repetition on repetition, re-structure guideline on guideline. Gerard & Vicky did a great job to push the level of the four candidates as far as possible. The excellent score of the four candidates during the IE is the best proof of quality liability. I even scored some 5’s in the IE!
One more time thank you to Scuba Nation.
Luc Grobet #969836 from Belgium
IDC May 2010
I feel the need to write and inform you of what an excellent experience my IDC was at Scuba Nation Diving Centre Cambodia. Not only did I have fun throughout the course and gain the skills and theory necessary to comfortably pass my IDC, I also become a much more knowledgeable and efficient diver. The experience I believe has given me skills such as communication, learning and teaching techniques, more team-building knowledge and much more that I will be able to use outside of my diving career.
I believe credit should be given to PADI for excellent diving instruction courses but also Scuba Nation Diving Centre Cambodia and Gerard Leenen PADI Course Director for course delivery, professionalism, instruction and passing on a wealth of knowledge and experience successfully.
Thank you very much for your time.
James Squires #266322 from UK
IDC May 2010
I would like to share my experience regarding my IDC with Course Director Gerard (Scuba Nation Cambodia). This was my first and only Instructor Development Course and I was unexpectedly nervous from the start. Even though I was around familiar words and faces, struggling with new terminology and just the whole feeling of study was sometimes overwhelming.
Over the 5 weeks, I was introduced to and had explained in great detail the PADI structure of courses and was given endless help and time which gave me a relaxed feeling, the confidence that I was going to pass, and I did. There were times when I needed in depth explanations of the simplest of theoretical and practical exercises which was given to me time and time again without question. I have no doubt that being spread over this time and combined with the kind of guidance and teaching was exactly what I needed to pass the IDC and IE.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Staff #494620 from UK
ZERO TO HERO DIVEMASTER
From zero to hero at Scuba Nation: When I started diving at Scuba Nation, I had no previous diving experience at all. And when I finished two month later, I was a Divemaster! It has been an absolutely amazing experience.
On my trip through South-East Asia, I planned to stay a couple of days in Sihanoukville to obtain the Open Water certification. I booked the course with Scuba Nation and immediately started with some theory lessons. We then went into the pool to get comfortable with the scuba gear. Breathing from a regulator for the first time was exciting, and after the first open water dive I was hooked.
I then booked the Advanced Open Water course and did my first night dive. I was holding a big torch in my hand and scanned the bottom of the sea for interesting things. The other divers were doing the same, and it all looked like a big laser show. I really had to be careful with my buoyancy to not touch any sea urchins. On another dive, I could take down my camera and shoot some nice pictures. There was plenty of time between the dives (the "surface interval" in diver lingo) to get some rest or to chat with other fellow divers and make some new friends.
One thing led to another and I also signed up for EFR (Emergency First Responder), Rescue Diver and the Divemaster course: A "couple of days" has become two month!
The focus has changed from just watching myself to watching everyone else around me. What potential dangers are there? What's the emergency action plan? Uhm .. where's my buddy? I also got a glimpse behind the scenes, from gear maintenance (let's replace those O-rings..) to organizing the trips (did we pack enough eggs?).
Doing the Divemaster has been great fun and I was fortunate enough that I could do it with great people. I could learn a lot from Craig and Fabrice, who have been diving for .. ages! Gerard and Vicky have also been forthcoming in every possible way and I am very grateful for that. Anyone looking for a great diving experience should sign up for a course at Scuba Nation. What are you waiting for?
Daniel from Germany