When I first tried to do my Divemaster course I convinced myself that I couldn't buddy breathe for the gear exchange. That was that. I could never be a
Divemaster.
That's where Szilvia Gogh, PADI Course Director for both Ocean Adventures and Aqua Adventures dive shops, came into the picture. She had a couple of
long talks with me in an effort to convince me that I would have something to contribute as a Divemaster. Soon I found myself doing pool sessions and
ocean dives with her and her students (the academics were never my problem). I liked her easy, laid back style but don't get me wrong. If someone tried to get away with something she definitely caught it and called
them on it (even me!). When someone had difficulties she never made them feel bad. I heard her tell an open water student who didn't complete her course with the rest of her class ""Go ahead and get your picture taken. You will get the card eventually"". When we came to my biggest challenge (the infamous buddy breathing/gear exchange) Szilvia had me practice with her a couple of times. Then one day she told me I was doing it. When I balked she said ""No big deal. If you can do it I'll give you credit. If you can't, you will have had a good practice"". And that was that. The pressure
was off and I could do it. After that I started having fun. We went to the Catalina Underwater Park a couple of times with students and on a dive boat where I found I was conducting tours to people who never dove in California before. I am happy to have finally completed my Divemaster training and loved having Szilvia as my instructor. And I now have additional skills and knowledge to take back to those research and scientific dives I still plan to do!
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