1025 – ‘499 Padi’ – Spain – Alicante

Dive One:

Dive One:

Our first dive consisted of becoming familiar with all the diving apparatus and diving techniques. The previous day we had been issued with all our equipment to save time so we could have more time in the water. Also our dive instructor gave us an overview of what we would be going through on our first dive, and she also went over all the hand signals that we may need to use in the water. After kitting up with all the SCUBA apparatus, we then walked to the shoreline. Once in the water we were told about the buddy system to help one another, to place the fins on and also check them throughout the dive to ensure that they are doing ok. We placed our fins on and were ready to dive. As this was our first dive, our instructor went over the basics such as swimming with fins and breathing with the regulator. She also demonstrated how to use the purge button to clear the regulator of any water. This was just a refresh session to most of us as we went for a practise dive with BSAC a week previous. After we were all confident with our equipment our instructor took us for a short swim down to 5 metres to ensure we were all comfortable. As we returned to the dive centre after our first dive we were instructed on how to remove the kit properly and clean it correctly.

Dive Two:

With everyone full of confidence and excitement we started our second dive. Today we were excited as we were going to go deeper and learn more advanced skills. We swam to around 5 metres where we came to a stop and knelt on the sea bed. We all knelt in a circle and watched our instructor perform a various skills. After ensuring we were all ok with copying the activity she would point at us individually to perform the activity. This was good as you could watch other peoples techniques and learn more. On this dive we learnt how to swim with one fin , cramp removal underwater, tired diver tow, offer your octopus to another dive in need, clear your goggles of water and removal and recover of weight belts under the water. After this we went down to six and a half metres to slowly get comfortable with the changes in pressure and to see if there was any wildlife.

Dive Three:

After the second dive everyone’s confidence was higher again. We were now feeling very comfortable and at home in the water. I was looking forward to this dive as we were going to be going deeper than we had been yet. Our instructor had also told us that there would be a divide in water temperatures at the depth we were going to. So the water would go from being warm to cold as soon as we crossed the line. The dive started as usual with the walk to shore and also we stopped at about 6 metres to practice more skills such as the removal of your SCUBA , a controlled emergency ascent (CESA) and underwater compass navigation. After we had mastered these, we then went down to nine metres. It was great as the visibility was good enough to see a few local fish. We even caught a glimpse of a small octopus before it quickly rushed back under the rocks. At the deepest point we could clearly see the cold and warm water divide. It was as if somebody had drawn a line in the water separating the warm and cold water. I wasn’t expecting the water to be too cold but as we swam through the clouds of cold water it felt as if somebody had chucked a bucket full of cold water and ice over you , and as we returned to the warmer water it felt like being in a nice warm bath. After surfacing from this dive I couldn’t wait for the deeper open water dives we were going to perform at the rock far out at sea.

Dive Four:

This was our first big dive. Everyone was excited. As we loaded our kit onto the boat none of us could wait to get out onto the island. My group had to roll backwards off the boat rather than jump off the back. As we got closer and closer the excitement grew as well as the feeling of sea sickness I had. As I rolled backwards off the boat the colours changed from the light blue sky to the dark blue ocean. I gazed at the vastness of the sea before finding my way over to the guide rope to swim down. As I reached the bottom we rested on a rock while waiting for the others to join. I looked around and saw a variety of different colours. There were schools of fish swimming around and their scales reflecting the light of the sunshine that was piercing the water. When all the group had arrived we continued with the dive. Our instructor pointed into the distance and we saw an enormous ray swimming away from us. During the dive another 3 baby rays swam past us into the distance. Then our instructor indicated it was time to go back to the rope. None of us wanted to as it had only felt as if we had been down there for five minutes. As we returned to the rope the instructor spotted an octopus on the rock. Once we got closer it shot out a cloud of ink and dived under a rock. When we were stopped at our 5 metre safety stop for 3 minutes I looked around and realised how amazing this underwater habitat was.

Dive Five:

This was our last dive and everyone wanted to make the most of our last opportunity. I thought I was going to pass out with heat exhaustion all kitted up on the back of the boat ready to go. Hitting the water was very refreshing and cooling. I then swam to the front of the boat and followed the guide rope down to the bottom. We gathered at the bottom and had an underwater team photo. When I looked around I noticed many of the fish were larger than the previous day and also there was a much wider variety. As we swam around our instructor spotted a hole in which a conger eel and a moray eel were living. Our instructor placed some fish at the entrance of the hole and the conger eel came to see what it was before quickly snapping it up and returning back down its hole. Most of the group then had to ascend as they were low on air , but Lewis and I still had plenty left. So our instructor took us to explore what I can only describe as an underwater cliff. As we swam along the edge and looked down there were different varieties of fish swimming up and down the cliff face. The cliff seemed to be around 100ft high and we could not see the bottom as it descended into the dark deep water. But, as with everyone else, our time was over and we had to surface. On the boat ride back into Benidorm I sat looking at the sky with the ocean spray splashing on my face and thought to myself what an experience it has been. I cant wait to go again.

On behalf of 499 (Port Talbot) Squadron, Staff and the Cadets, we are extremely grateful to the Ulysses Trust and the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust for the support and encouragement they have given us.