Divemaster Challenge - Koh Tao Confidential vol. 10

Dive pros always exhibit the highest degree of
professionalism both in and out of the water

     

 Greetings!

 Becoming a Divemaster is no easy task. Days on the boat, beers after school and spending grueling days of study in the company of  whale sharks and bikini-clad tourists can be tough work. Big Blue DMTs spend 1 - 3 months toiling away under the Thai sun and surf learning their skills, assisting on courses and being put through the wringer so that they can finally get their water wrinkled, pruned up fingers on their SSI Divecon or PADI divemaster certification card. Of course, after that much hard work, blood, sweat and tears we can't let them just walk away without a bit of a celebration. Big Blue is famous...or is that infamous...for their "Divemaster Challenges". A themed, beer/ whiskey soaked, humiliation filled "celebration" of recently graduated DMTs' achievements, embarrasements and fumbles held in the comfort of Big Blue's bar. Simon "SSimo" Garrity, Big Blue's in-house DMT challenge organizer never fails to supply recent graduates with a blurry evening of alcohol soaked embarrassment and the very large crowd gathered to watch them with an entertaining evening that is neither "good" nor "clean" but always very fun. Costumes are a must for the newly minted DMs and it's not unusual to see a good chunk of staff dressed up as well. Pass up on an oportunity to dress like an idiot, get drunk and be on the 6:45am boat the next morning? NEVER!

   Last night's challenge was "Circus Freak" themed and the 6 newly christened DMs were out in full force. SSimo didn't disappoint with a barrage of quick witted comments, stories and exaggerations not to mention some highly skilled challenges amidst a stomach churning bucket swill-a-thon.

Fully embodying the professional demeanor required of all Divemasters

  Our most recent challenge was "Circus Freak" themed and the 6 newly christened DMs were out in full force. SSimo didn't disappoint with a barrage of quick witted comments, stories and exaggerations not to mention some highly skilled challenges amidst a stomach churning bucket swill-a-thon.

As you can see from the photos below, the challenges are designed to allow new DMs to showcase the skills and talents they have acquired during their internships. First off, physical strength demonstrated through a rigorous round of bench pressing SCUBA tanks between shots followed by "sit ups for buckets".

    Next was dexterity and handling Nitrogen Narcosis. Sometimes when underwater even the most experienced and careful divers may become entangled in seaweed or errant fishing nets, luckily for these recent graduates they were put through the motions of escaping said entanglement complete with a real-life like alcohol fueled "nitrogen narcosis" simulation. Of course Kim also managed to look sexy while showing off her professional skills.

Alex and Calixto did not escape in the same graceful manner but managed to untangle themselves none the less.

Taking care of your buddy is also an important part of scuba diving and as Leanna demonstrates. this sometimes also entails covering up your buddy's "wardrobe malfunction" all the while staying cool as a cucumber under pressure 

(literally...ha ha get it "under pressure"...I'll be here all week ladies and gentlemen, all week)

Absolutely no clowning around. It's time to party DM challenge style

SSimo, the Master of Ceremony and Circus Ringleader, ensuring that everything is running according to plan and making sure that the ears of young'uns are covered and the easily offended are quickly removed from the premises before the evening's festivities have begun. 

As you can see, it's just a big ol' lovefest at Big Blue DM challenges. Students finally have the chance to show their mentors and superiors how they really feel about them. 

And the crowd has a pretty good time too ...

   Unfortunately due to my early start the next day I was forced to vacate the festivities rather early but lived vicariously through my roommates who stumbled in half covered in face paint and old beer just as I was leaving for work the next day. Bless their young 20 something year old selves. Even with my newly grown liver I can't keep up. The office the next day was a sight for sore eyes and I'm sure the boys in the tech shack had a lineup of early morning instructors and DMs itching for a hit off the 100%  oxygen tank. 

And so passes another classy, and distinguished graduation ceremony at Big Blue. 

Cheers from the circus
J