I.Have.Homework.

Wow.

It's been a while since I have been "on the other side of the desk," so to speak.

Today I did two dives towards the Advanced Open Water certification. One dive was the Deep Dive; I had to perform a skill at depth (100 feet), and do a variety of pre-dive checks and post-dive reflections. Included in the post-dive is a written Knowledge Review, which is my homework.

So I learned quite a few things today. First I had to learn to tie a bow knot; this is what I had to do at depth! I also did a little math. ;-). Performing a skill at depth shows that you are not suffering from (or perhaps you are) nitrogen narcosis, or that you aren't "narced.". It is best described as feeling somewhat drunk, and your small motor skills can suffer. Tying the knot shows that you are ok. Passed that one.

At the end of the dive, my instructor Miguel made me launch my safety sausage. I've never done this! Panic. Well, not panic, but definitely unease. I ask my students to do something new almost every day...I bet some of them feel this same panic. How awful! This was followed quickly by dread when Miguel informed me I am going to have to deploy my sausage (a surface marker buoy so boats can spot you to pick you up or not run you over) each and every dive! Seriously? Ugh.

I know it will make me a better diver. It really will. Doesn't mean I'm going to like it, but I will grit my teeth and do it. I will master it, I WILL, but the parallel between this and my classroom just screamed at me.

The second dive was the Drift Dive specialty; every dive in Coz is a drift dive, as the waters run from south to north though the channel that separates Cozumel from the mainland. Had to deploy that darned sausage again.

On the plus side, I saw so many great things...nudibranches, a seahorse, a baby trunkfish, among others.

Gotta go. I have homework to do.