PADI OPEN WATER MBA. (The other 2/3’s of the planet)

We had originally sketched in the potential to do scuba diving in Thailand, a known mecca for divers. But with an extended stay in the Dominican Republic caused by the cancellation of our planned trip to Cuba, we decided the time was now. We also agreed that we should attempt to complete the most popular internationally recognised course - the PADI' Open Water', which consisted of four open water dives, 1/2 day in a swimming pool and about 8-hours of study with online tests.

Full of nerves, tempered by the excitement of the unknown, we arrived at a small hotel which was a short 30 minutes drive. Our teacher was called Pavlo, a tall Ukrainian man with over 7000 dives under his belt. Pavlo would be our instructor for the duration of the course's practical elements. This we complemented with a day sat in our air-conditioned hotel room for a few hours at a time watching training videos and completing tests, sandwiched between sun-soaked lounging, coffee trips, and food.

Dives one and two were just off Punta Cana. Hearts pumping, equipment assembled, re-assembled and checked, we were whisked away on a small boat, just 10 minutes offshore. The water was warm and calm as we both plunged backwards out of the vessel, equipped and ready to go. Dropping below the waterline with our instructor, the world became calm and serene. The sea was unbelievably crystal clear, lit by the strong Caribbean sunshine. We spent about 25 minutes at 7-9 metres depth, practising skills and attempting to enjoy the experience. The seascape and coral reef were quite alien and different to experiencing it on a flat TV, watching something like 'Blue Planet'.

We did our second dive two days later. It was in a similar spot to the first but slightly nearer the beach. This proved challenging as we were practising more of the technical aspects of diving and reflecting on the online learning we'd done the day before. Jacqui struggled with buoyancy, whilst Martin battled with a constantly fogging mask and his concern for Jacqui, whose facial twitches suggested she wasn't quite enjoying this second experience.

Our third and fourth dive was off the Caribbean side of the Dominican Republic, near Isla Catalina. It took two hours drive and 45 minutes by boat through choppy water to get there. We were promised it was spectacular. The third dive required us to put on our equipment in the water; we both struggled, tossed in the waves, becoming quickly tired. But with determination, particularly on Jacqui's behalf, we succeeded and dropped below the waterline into comparatively calm water. We reached 18 metres, but below us, the sea dropped to a chasm of 600m. Again, we practised different technical aspects of diving with Pavlo, all designed to keep us safe, such as removing your mask underwater and putting it back on again.

We both emerged exhausted, dragging ourselves out of the water with help from the scuba team. Martin immediately threw up over the side of the catamaran, more a consequence of the journey than the diving. We both felt frustrated, problems with repeatedly fogged masks, buoyancy, and generally getting used to the equipment. We both reflected afterwards that we considered throwing the towel in, but being just one dive away, our determination kept us going. We could have chucked it in, but we were one dive away. We were both going to break this particular barrier.

The boat moved about 1/2km; we suited up and jumped overboard. Martin felt immediately better, and, with another dose of antifog on our masks (which didn't work the first time), we could see clearly throughout the dive. There were a few final tests to complete underwater, and then the remainder of the dive, some 30 minutes, we could explore the reef and enjoy the sea life all around us. It was amazing, like an alien landscape, with shoals of fish and reef plant life waving in the current. We spotted trumpet fish, a small ray and 1000's multi-species colourful fish. It was like swimming in an aquarium. As our American cousins would say, "It was Awesome; Supercool". We both dived more confidently, Jacqui now looking particularly at ease as she checked her tank's pressure and signalled Martin to do the same before Pavlo asked.

The last dive was a success; we were pleased, relieved, and elated. It had been a challenge, but one we managed to push through, and the rewards were clear - another part of mother earth was revealing itself to us. Pavlo confirmed we had passed and could slowly move towards more independent diving, next planned in Thailand.

We celebrated by repeatedly reminding each other that we were qualified PADI scuba divers over the following days. Yippee.

M&J