It was a dark gloomy Saturday morning when my three PADI Open Water Students, Travis, Bayland and Jim headed to Hantu for the first two dives of their course. My Dive Master Trainee, Georgina was with us all, as well.
When we arrived at the jetty, it was obvious that the viz was not at its best. Our first dive was interesting to say the least and we had to surface a few times to get the group back together again. Bayland was also having issues equalizing. The second dive was better with at least 2m viz and we managed to complete a lot of skills. Although Bayland could not descend due to too much pain.
We returned again on Sunday morning and the conditions were pretty much the same and with a stronger current. So we had no choice but to the follow the rope back and forth a few times, so the students could practice their dive skills. Another group of students spent the whole dive holding onto the rope and kneeling on the sand, not moving.
Bayland managed to complete three dives on Sunday after visiting the doctor Saturday night for some wax extraction. Although he was still suffering a bit of pain, this cleared considerably when most of the fluid blocking his ear canal came out of his nose after the second dive…gross.
I am happy to say that all three guys completed their PADI Open Water Course despite the conditions. Georgina also did a great job assisting and guiding.
Like I have said before:- If you can dive the waters of Hantu, you can dive anywhere in the world.