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PADI Discover Scuba Diving

PADI have a wonderful learning system indeed allowing all that wish to learn to dive to enter the realm of recreational scuba diving very easily. Mermaid's CDC (Dive Career Development Center) Pattaya Thailand offer elementary dive courses, intermediate recreational scuba diving courses and indeed professional level diver courses.

PADI have a 1 day experience that is called a "DSD" - Discover Scuba Diving. The day involves familiarity with scuba equipment, personal instruction and 2 dives on the wonderful reefs that we have here in Pattaya.

Steve, a friend from Sidcup (UK), came over to check out the dive facilities that we have here at Mermaids in Thailand. Steve is considering taking the scuba diving internship program but wished to see the training facility and have a taste of diving here in Pattaya. Here is a brief over view of how the DSD day goes....

After meeting at the shop in Jomtien, Thailand at 08:30am we get the dive equipment together. Alex Sharfin was the instructor for the day. Alex was a professional dive intern here in 2004/2005 and returned to implement a Shark conservation and monitoring program here with Mermaids prior to his moving on to Australia (what a life!). Steve and Alex met at the shop and prepared for the day.

We leave the dive facility when all are ready and head for the boats. We have 4 dive boats that leave daily and the personal instructor will take the "DS-Diver" to the boat that is going to the very best dive sites for DSD activities that day. These ideal islands are usually Koh Rin, Koh sak or Koh Larn a few miles off of Pattaya Bay.

The fun starts on the way to the dive site....

I recognize that stance - but believe me that the scenery is much better than the London Underground.	On the way to the dive site is a great opportunity to show Steve all of the essential knowledge for the experience.	Alex thoroughly goes through the scuba equipment that Steve will be using.
All of the equipment is made familiar prior to donning.	Once at the dive site Alex ensures that Steve is kitted up properly and all feels comfortable.	Alex has Steve demonstrate some of the "in-water" exercises on the boat prior to hitting the water. This is a very good idea.
Primed on the happenings Steve makes it to the back platform ready for the giant stride (entry into the water).	A few last comments from Al...	Big splash and Steve is in.
Once on the surface we head in a little to the shallows.	Swimming towards the paradise Thai island of Koh Rin, Pattaya.	Alex again primes Steve on the various skills that will be mastered.
The basic skills are mask clearing, regulator recovery and breathing calmly underwater.	Alex asks Steve to look at him underwater as he demonstrates a skill.	Steve's turn to take over. And not long ....
...Steve is diving! OK, so we need time to work on style but the pleasure is there:-)	The next dive was at Koh Rin North Rock, Pattaya, Thailand.

Scuba diving is both fun and easy. As long as one is physically fit to dive there is no matter on the size, shape or age of the diver. If you feel that scuba diving is for you but never had the opportunity to take a dive class - let us show you what you are missing diving here in Pattaya, Thailand.