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Well for me where did it all start? Well I blame Brian
Smith for is very good kit configuration nights and John Dunwell for getting me
back into Instructor training again.
I first heard the words ERD on a nitrox course; it was Nick
Kay telling us about what he had to do on the course. By the time he had
finished I think my thoughts were something like bloody hell. The next time it
rose it’s head again was on the 27th June 2002 I was doing a
Poseidon regulator repair course & sat next to me was Jack Ingle he was
nothing like what you might think he is really down to earth.
It was not long before we were all talking diving well it
was a diving related course, some how ERD was brought up and Jack said if I
could organise eight divers he would come up north and do a course.
Well dates were fixed 5/6/7th September the
first day is theory, the second open water training and then the last day
putting it all together.
Day one. The theory, Hull University.
The theory it
is not hard it is just going over some of the things you did on your Advanced
Nitrox Course, with some to old stuff to me, like runtime’s and deco planning
(this is what we did before the advent of computers). The best bit and funny
thing was Jacks kit configuration it was in essence just like Brian’s.
Day two. Stoney Cove.
We all arrived
on time at the Cove and there was Jack with his other Instructor’s. Jack went
through the program of events for the day. We all had our kit checked out and
reconfigured.
We were all briefed on the content of the first dive our
bottom time and the time from leaving the bottom to arriving back at the surface
again this is called a run time.
You must arrive at your first deco stop on time and leave
it at say minute 25 you would then go to your next stop and you would leave that
at say minute 30 and so on arriving at the surface at a set time. Our first dive
would take us down the sump and down to the 30 to 35 meter marks. We were first
shown line laying and the correct way this should be done. Our bottom time was 20
minutes. We arrived at our first deco stop, leaving that stop on 25 minutes
arriving at the surface (after doing several simulated stops) at minute 49. All
deco stops had to be done in a horizontal position and with out moving too much.
Our second
dive was not that deep only about 6 meters but we were there for some 79 minutes
this dive dealt with skills. Each skill was repeated 10 times until we could do
it with our eyes closed and that was just what we had to do. It was all then
repeated staying about 1 meter of the bottom. It was not that bad once you had
your buoyancy correct.
The last day
was to be out at sea but due to bad weather it did not take place until the
beginning of March 2003 & even then it had to be done at an inland dive
centre.
Day three. The National Dive
Centre, Chepstow, Wales.
It was
9.30,over cast & then the rain came. From the dive centre you are taken down
to the waters edge by land Rover with your kit in the trailer. The site has been
well thought out & it was worth going there just to see the place.
We were all
briefed about what was to happen on the dive; all the skills that we had been
shown would now be put into practice
We would go down a shot line to 25 metres, then from there
lay a distance line for half the length of the dive.
All the “trainees” were to follow the distance line
(staying in contact with it at all times.
The last two would be the first back following the distance
line back to the shot line, then starting our deco stops & arriving back at
the surface after 55 minutes total dive time.
Needless to say we all passed, that was Chris Jim and
myself. I must thank Brian he was with us from the first day both watching and
acting as safety Diver. It was a very good course to have done, I know I have
learnt so much from the course and I have been diving for all most 35 years and
I am still LEARNING.
As a foot note, I would just like to say that all the
practices & kit configuration we learnt/refreshed on this course are
applicable to ALL open water diving, no matter whether you are diving to
9 or 90 meters.
These practices & configuration will make your diving
safer & more enjoyable both for yourselves & the others in your team.
Safe diving, Ray Mckee
BSAC Branch 14 Diving Officer and Open Water Instructor.
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