7.27.08 - AQUANAUTS Open Water Class

Hello everyone!

Well, just so I don't forget how to shoot video, Sunday July 27th finds the Video Dude with camera in hand, shooting another Open Water class for Instructor Worth O'Brien of AQUANAUTS SCUBA ACADEMY along with Divemaster-in-Training Donna. We are back on board the "American Dream II" in Fort Lauderdale, and we are headed out to the "Ken Vitale" (aka the "Tracy") and a drift dive. The day is clear and the weather cooperative as Captain Todd and Divemasters Brian and Merlin head us out to the first dive site.

When we arrive at our site, we find another boat on the wreck, so we move over about 200 yards to the "Merci Jesus", and Divemaster Merlin jumps in to tie off. When he comes up, he reports that the current is "ripping" (sound familiar?) and it is stiff all the way down to the wreck. We are all getting in on this one, so I am first in so I can go down to the bottom and tape everyone coming down the line. Everyone makes it down after some effort, and we take a quick tour of the wreck using the wreck itself to block some of the current. We came across an 8ft Nurse Shark laying in the sand and I was able to get some video of it before it swam off. Prior to this, I had seen a student from another class do some serious back-pedaling on the deck of the wreck and actually tumble backwards off the wreck to get away from the shark! The shark wasn't even chasing him, just heading in the same direction. It was quite possibly the funniest thing I have ever seen underwater! After taping the shark, it's back up the line for us all and back on the boat. Current on the surface was a little stiff as well, so it was an adventure getting back on the boat.

After our gear changeover and surface interval, Captain Todd has us moored to "The Caves" Reef and we jump in as a class and head to the reef. After touring for a little bit, Worth finds a sandy area and has the students do their skills - mask removal and replacement, emergency swimming ascents, and alternate air ascents. Then more touring and finally up to the boat. There were lots of Lobsters out, a Squid, Blue Tangs, Chromis, French Angels and lots of juvenile fish everywhere. A beautiful way to end the morning. Once we are back at the dock, Worth and Donna give briefings to everyone, followed by certification paperwork and "graduation".

A wonderful day of video shooting, meeting new divers and having fun in Paradise!

The Video Dude