Page 72 - Wish Stream Year of 2019

Exercise SANDHURST SCUBA
OCdt Al-Khamiri
Although not the smoothest of starts, with diving medical failures and an overbooked outgoing flight, Ex SANDHURST SCUBA was a resounding success and thoroughly enjoyed by all. Facilitated by The Sandhurst Trust and instructed by Safari Diving, the eight Officer Cadets explored the beauties both on land and under the sea in Lanzarote.
The British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC) open water diver course is to take novices from knowing very little about diving to being proficient up to depths of 20m; this is a qualification, which once attained, allows the individual to dive as part of a pair anywhere in the world whilst on holiday. The ability to attain this during the Commission- ing Course at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst is a privilege which other careers would not usu- ally allow. Starting off with the basic principles, a base level understanding of the equipment, and conducting life-saving drills on dry land quickly progressed into shallow water. Once mastered, we were able to then enjoy underwater life, appre- ciate the diverse marine biome and what man- made structures had fallen to Poseidon’s realm.
Dive training happened to draw many parallels with the military training which we have received thus far. The inability to verbally communicate underwater meant that military basics such as prior planning, briefs and hand signals are com- mon tools for any diver, coupled with the ‘buddy- buddy’ system which we all know and love! In diving, as in a military context, these skills will inevitably save lives in the not-so-distant future.
During our expedition we took up residence in a British ex-pat’s Airbnb, which turned out to be a wonderful location from which we could base ourselves. To co-habit with peers from work in a more relaxed setting is a good opportunity to learn about one another in a new light, which is not always possible whilst dealing with the stresses of the Commissioning Course or dur- ing the AT tasks. Extra-curricular activities at the beach, the villa’s pool, or other local establish- ments further added to the team bonding, and the go-karting showed us the practical skills that some may or may not have already possessed.
It is with heartfelt thanks to the RMAS Adventure Training Wing, Safari Diving and of course, The Sandhurst Trust that we were able to become qualified open water divers. We look forward to taking this forward to our various cap badges and furthering our knowledge in the field.
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