A few months ago, I decided to “take the Master Scuba Diver Challenge”, as PADI advertises. Who could resist the dive credibility that comes along with the rating – ‘the highest non-professional level in diving’? Again, according to PADI, by gaining this rating, a diver is respected as having varied experience in a number of dive conditions, is a competent rescue diver and has logged at least 50 dives. I could do that, I decided.
A key requirement for the Master Scuba Diver rating is to complete five specialty courses, such as Deep Diver, certifying the diver to dive to the max allowed limit of 40m; Navigation Diver, providing the
underwater navigation skills needed; Wreck diver; Underwater Photographer or Night diver.
Wanting to make the MSD a little more exciting, I decided to take on some shark diving specialty courses. These are labeled as distinctive specialty courses and also count towards the MSD rating.
I headed to Cape Town in South Africa in June to complete the ‘White Shark Diving’ Specialty course in Gansbaai with Mike Rutzen – otherwise known as the ‘shark man’ from Discovery Channel. What an amazing experience, especially when Mike had us diving with Great Whites – outside the cage. Well worth a visit if you are in that part of the world.
Heading back to Dubai, a friend of mine recommended the next step for my shark diving MSD course – the Dubai Aquarium Specialty Diver course at the Dubai Aquarium, in the Dubai Mall. A course tailor made to train divers in the correct procedures for diving in the Dubai Aquarium – and a totally different take on the same shark diving theme compared to my experience in Cape Town.
The Dubai Aquarium Specialty course comprises three dives in the aquarium which can be done in one afternoon, or over two days – I opted to dive all in one day. What I did like about the course is the fact that you dive outside of the cage in the main aquarium, with 33 species of shark and, of course, guaranteed visibility.
Excited and, yes, a little nervous, I headed with some friends to the Dubai Aquarium on a sunny Dubai day. The first dive started with a briefing on procedures and how to interact with the marine animals and the conservation issues around sharks. Diving in an aquarium environment is definitely something different – testing your buoyancy skills to the limit! The second dive focuses on underwater photography and allows an opportunity to take photos inside the aquarium, or from the inside looking out! It was then time for the third dive that took place inside the shark cage, while the aquarists from the Dubai Aquarium fed the sharks. Photos can be taken, and believe me, come out really well!
Once certified as a Dubai Aquarium Specialty Diver, divers can take photos underwater on any subsequent dives. Dubai Aquarium Specialty Diver s can also apply to the Dubai Aquarium volunteers program and assist in the upkeep of the aquarium in their free time – something that I definitely plan to do!
The Dubai Aquarium Specialty Course is run by Al Boom Diving
email: abdiving@emirates.net.ae or by calling 04-342-2993.
