Kit Check
Tuesday morning, it’s the first day of training. But before we can get started, suits and equipment each student will be using over the next five weeks needs to be sorted, distributed and tried on for size.
Fins, masks and snorkels were obligatory for everyone to bring and Ronan, Gautier and myself already have our suits.
Since I’ve already got all of my own kit, I have some time to give the instructors and Gautier a hand with the distribution, as well as shoot a few sneaky pics on my phone before we head off to the pool.
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The boys are having a laugh squeezing themselves into the tight neoprene suits for the first time and we’re all excited about finally getting started.
Cesar, our instructor for practical training, gives us a few quick explanations about what to expect in the pool before the head of the institute gives us the official introduction and run-down. Luis Manuel Noain Gimeno or simply “Tato” as he’s known to everyone, has dedicated his life to commercial diving and can look back on 40 years of experience working and educating. We’re in good hands.
He’s a tall and authoritative figure with a full, white beard who reminds me of the sea-captains in books and stories. He’s got a friendly look on his face but with a gentle smile he lets us know that, should we disregard his instructions, neglect to follow the rules or in any way not take our training seriously, his friendly face would change quickly. After all, under water it’s our life on the line and that of our fellow divers.
Swimming, Swimming and some more swimming
A short reminder about what to do… questions?… No! OK, let’s go! Fins, masks and snorkels ready and we’re off to the public pool, accompanied by Tato and Cesar as well as Tato’s oldest daughter Stefanie also known as “Toffy”, an accomplished instructor and business woman in her own right.
As we jump in the water I can’t help but think that this first week will probably be harder for some than for others. I’m glad for my extensive scuba diving experience and do not envy the guys who have to catch up in such a short time.
We’re paired up in “buddy-teams” and everything we do in the water has to be perfectly synchronized. “Prepare! Ready? WATER!”, a big, synchronized step and off we go. Then quickly back out, back in line and again, and again and again. The next entry-method, no time for breaks “Prepare! Ready? WATER!”.
Tato’s military background shows and I soon realize that there is not a lot of room for error here, much less for slacking off. It will be hard enough for everyone and the instructors challenge us to our limits, no matter our experience level.
Time to swim and I’m paired with Gautier. He has been training for this for years. “COME ON, FASTER, FASTER!!”, I hear Tato from the edge of the pool. Gautier is 18 and in top shape. I’m sure he’s not nearly giving all he’s got, but for my moderately trained 32-year old self, he’s putting on quite the pace.
I’m the only woman in the class and there is no way I can let it seem like I can’t keep up with the guys. “LET’S GO, ONE MORE TIME!”, my legs are burning but I bite down on my snorkel and pick up the pace.
Now the same thing again, this time without our masks. I’m starting to regret not having been swimming more often in the past few, well, years.
The “buddy-team” rule I already know from recreational diving is even stricter here. Every movement has to be completely coordinated. Gautier signals me with his hand under water “3, 2, 1 – and dive!”. We dive down to the bottom, always keeping an eye on each other and then come back up. Our heads are supposed to touch surface at the exact same time. It takes a little practise, this “synchronized swimming thing”.
It’s already afternoon when we get back to the school for our lunch break. We’re all a little tired and Gautier let’s us in on a little secret: the boat, a perfect spot for a well deserved siesta.
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“Fatalities 1990: Male – 21 yrs, Male – 37 yrs, Male – 34 yrs …”
Lunch break is over and we’re off into the classroom for our first theory lesson.
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Tato quietly sits down and puts a DVD in the player. A video starts playing, black screen and sombre music. A list begins scrolling across the screen ” Fatalities 1987: Male – 21 yrs; Male – 37 yrs; Male – 34 yrs… Fatalities 1990: Male – 29 yrs;… Fatalities 1992…”. The list keeps going and going and going, without names, just a year, age and a gender.
It gets very quiet in the room as we’re all reminded of the very real dangers of this profession and the tragic history that lead to the rigid safety procedures of today.
Seeing my gender represented in traditionally male professions usually makes me smile, but when a single “Female – 32 yrs” scrolls past I can feel myself cringe. I take a deep breath. She was my age.
After the seemingly endless list of fatalities follows a detailed explanation of real accidents, how they happened and what can be done to prevent them. Cleaning public pools, working on dam repairs, diving to retrieve lost golf balls,… . I take detailed notes: “What NOT to do… “.
Three more videos like this follow. It’s quite the introduction to our very first day.
Welcome to Commercial Diving!
