First Leisure Dive at String Ray City
Learn to Dive | Back from Redang | Open Water Diver Certification | Scuba Diving | Loneliness | Shore Dives | Boat Dive | Sunrise at Redang | First Leisure Dive | Redang Bay | Redang Trip People
After getting certified by 20/7/2008 noon, I decided to go for my first ever leisure dive in the afternoon.
Since the dive was not included in the Open Water Dive course and trip package, it incurred additional charge, RM80. For me, the charge was something trivial. What matters more was, I got the opportunity to do my very first underwater photography!
Honestly I was truly tired after the 2 dives in the morning, but when thinking of being able to take photographs, I was full of energy.
As previously done, we did a back roll entry from the boat. Once getting into the sea, I could immediately feel the strong waves. Prior to departure, Hanafi lent me his mask and snorkel coz his has better quality - no or less foggy. I wished to enjoy my first leisure dive by being able to see the underwater world clearly.
We followed the local dive guide, Joe, and swam around. The reason being, he knows the place well, inclusive of the interesting stuff and the possible hazards. The instuctors Cyrena and Darius were together, as well as the Dive Master, Shaiful.
Quite a few people carried along a camera - Cyrena, Darius, Goh and I.
Those who know me well would have known, I'm quite obsessed and concentrated while I photograph. Usually, I need to get a suitable place, stand and shoot, maybe having to beware of the traffic/people around as well. Now, I have to ensure that I could stay still well enough, and do not lose control of myself (e.g. not to hit the coral, maintain suitable bouyancy).
Meanwhile, I still tried to change shooting mode for different purposes. However, I didn't really review each of the photos taken. Time was limited but the memory card was not :)
Once, I saw a jelly fish in front of me and wished to snap a photo. Who knows, it seemed to come nearer and nearer to me. I wanted to complete the shoot first hence I made no move to actually avoid it. After I pressed the shutter, I could already feel someone was pushing me away from the jelly fish. Thanks Darius for the kind help.
When my tank had only about 60 bar of gas left (from the original 200 bar), I started to have problem by ascending unintentionally, not able to stay at the bottom anymore, due to lack of weight. Following Cyrena's hand signal, I let some water go into my wetsuit via the collar, which would possibly increase my weight a little, but it did not help much.
Why was my gas consumed faster than the others? Perhaps my breath was more frequent, or each of my breath was deeper...
Lesson learned - next time I should carry more weight, and more is better than less. (that day I carried 4.8 kg)
Joe ascended first, then my turn. After we settled down on the boat, he came over and told me - next time, if i ascend already, do not try to force myself to go down again, due to the reasons related to the nitrogen accumulated in my body.
For this leisure dive, averagely we spent around 45 minutes underwater. But I think I was down there only for 40 minutes. Not a bad experience.
Sometimes I do hope I make more mistakes now (the early stage), so that when I go for more advanced dive, I'd be more careful. I still need more practice, so that I do not consume my gas too fast, and need not to depend on the weight belt.
This was my last dive at the Redang Island. The next one, when and where will it be?
Am really longing for it.
After getting certified by 20/7/2008 noon, I decided to go for my first ever leisure dive in the afternoon.
Since the dive was not included in the Open Water Dive course and trip package, it incurred additional charge, RM80. For me, the charge was something trivial. What matters more was, I got the opportunity to do my very first underwater photography!
Honestly I was truly tired after the 2 dives in the morning, but when thinking of being able to take photographs, I was full of energy.
This round, our destination was the Sting Ray City.
As previously done, we did a back roll entry from the boat. Once getting into the sea, I could immediately feel the strong waves. Prior to departure, Hanafi lent me his mask and snorkel coz his has better quality - no or less foggy. I wished to enjoy my first leisure dive by being able to see the underwater world clearly.
We left the boat. Exploration is gonna start soon...
We followed the local dive guide, Joe, and swam around. The reason being, he knows the place well, inclusive of the interesting stuff and the possible hazards. The instuctors Cyrena and Darius were together, as well as the Dive Master, Shaiful.
Quite a few people carried along a camera - Cyrena, Darius, Goh and I.
It was hard to prevent myself from taking photos being in such a stunning environment. 
Wow......
Those who know me well would have known, I'm quite obsessed and concentrated while I photograph. Usually, I need to get a suitable place, stand and shoot, maybe having to beware of the traffic/people around as well. Now, I have to ensure that I could stay still well enough, and do not lose control of myself (e.g. not to hit the coral, maintain suitable bouyancy).
Meanwhile, I still tried to change shooting mode for different purposes. However, I didn't really review each of the photos taken. Time was limited but the memory card was not :)
Seeing a string ray at the String Ray City... fair enough. 
Colourful fishes.
Once, I saw a jelly fish in front of me and wished to snap a photo. Who knows, it seemed to come nearer and nearer to me. I wanted to complete the shoot first hence I made no move to actually avoid it. After I pressed the shutter, I could already feel someone was pushing me away from the jelly fish. Thanks Darius for the kind help.
Opps... underwater traffic jam!
This is me.
Ascending... the left hand has gotta prepare to inflate the BCD (Bouyancy Control Unit) while reaching the surface. This is me too :)
When my tank had only about 60 bar of gas left (from the original 200 bar), I started to have problem by ascending unintentionally, not able to stay at the bottom anymore, due to lack of weight. Following Cyrena's hand signal, I let some water go into my wetsuit via the collar, which would possibly increase my weight a little, but it did not help much.
65 bar and back to 4 meters of depth only (the deepest was up to 16 meters). 
My fellow divers were still at the bottom. So I could only see them from top.
Why was my gas consumed faster than the others? Perhaps my breath was more frequent, or each of my breath was deeper...
Lesson learned - next time I should carry more weight, and more is better than less. (that day I carried 4.8 kg)
Joe ascended first, then my turn. After we settled down on the boat, he came over and told me - next time, if i ascend already, do not try to force myself to go down again, due to the reasons related to the nitrogen accumulated in my body.
I took every opportunity to snap photos. This was taken just before I went onto the boat. It was fun having the waves splashed on me and the camera when I was ready to press the shutter. Hahaha...
For this leisure dive, averagely we spent around 45 minutes underwater. But I think I was down there only for 40 minutes. Not a bad experience.
Sometimes I do hope I make more mistakes now (the early stage), so that when I go for more advanced dive, I'd be more careful. I still need more practice, so that I do not consume my gas too fast, and need not to depend on the weight belt.
This was my last dive at the Redang Island. The next one, when and where will it be?
Am really longing for it.
3 comments:
Stingray. That's scary. This creature killed a human before
a human - u r talking about the crocodile hunter? hehe...
It's good enough looking at your photos. I'll never try scuba-diving, as I'm afraid of going deep into the ocean.
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