April 2014, Koh Tao, Thailand.
Another beautiful day in my favourite island in Thailand. It was a special day because I just finalised my Dive Master Program at Phoenix Divers. It took me 6 weeks of diving, setting up equipment for customers, assisting diving courses, doing dive briefings and servicing equipment, among other job duties.
I learnt so much during those 6 weeks, I gained all my diving experience and confidence day by day and finally...I became a dive professional!
The most exiting moment ever for a new Dive Master is leading your first customers under the water! I will never forget that experience....and here is why!
Another beautiful day in my favourite island in Thailand. It was a special day because I just finalised my Dive Master Program at Phoenix Divers. It took me 6 weeks of diving, setting up equipment for customers, assisting diving courses, doing dive briefings and servicing equipment, among other job duties.
I learnt so much during those 6 weeks, I gained all my diving experience and confidence day by day and finally...I became a dive professional!
The most exiting moment ever for a new Dive Master is leading your first customers under the water! I will never forget that experience....and here is why!
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My first dive as a dive leader was at shark mountain in Koh Tao. It was a sunny day, the sea was calm and we had about 10 meter visibility. 20 minutes into the dive, at 12 meter depth, I turned around to check if my 3 customers behind me were ok.
I felt very good - the 3 of them, close to each other and right behind me (all what you want as a dive leader!), I knew the direction back to the boat (my biggest fear, get lost on the first dive). Everything was going great so far...so I turned around again and just saw a Triggerfish swimming straight into my direction like a torpedo!
That bastard didn't even give me a second to think about what to do.
He crashed straight into my forehead and gave me a nice welcome bite!
Awesome!! Apparently I invaded his home!
Patrick, one of my divers had his camera ready and filmed everything after it happened..click the button below.
I felt very good - the 3 of them, close to each other and right behind me (all what you want as a dive leader!), I knew the direction back to the boat (my biggest fear, get lost on the first dive). Everything was going great so far...so I turned around again and just saw a Triggerfish swimming straight into my direction like a torpedo!
That bastard didn't even give me a second to think about what to do.
He crashed straight into my forehead and gave me a nice welcome bite!
Awesome!! Apparently I invaded his home!
Patrick, one of my divers had his camera ready and filmed everything after it happened..click the button below.
Well, I had no clue what was going on so I turned around to check on my customers. After a couple of seconds, I realised what just happened.
My first thoughts: "Shit I got bitten by a fish!"
Second thoughts: "My customers paid for a dive, so keep going!" ^^
After a minute continuously bleeding I decided to cancel the dive and surface-swim back to the boat to get first aid.
It didn't feel that bad, just a bit of a headache and some blood. However, when I got back at the dive shop one of our Thai dive Instructors, Matee, suggested that I should see a doctor.
My first thoughts: "Shit I got bitten by a fish!"
Second thoughts: "My customers paid for a dive, so keep going!" ^^
After a minute continuously bleeding I decided to cancel the dive and surface-swim back to the boat to get first aid.
It didn't feel that bad, just a bit of a headache and some blood. However, when I got back at the dive shop one of our Thai dive Instructors, Matee, suggested that I should see a doctor.
The tradition states that every dive master trainee must finish their program with a snorkel test!
So after I returned from the doctor with 3 stitches in my head, we all got ready for a big celebration.
Dressed up as a fairy (trigger fairy) we played several drinking games and the final snorkel test!
Mask on, snorkel in and drink whatever your DMT mentor pores in your snorkel!
Welcome to the world of a dive professional!!
After all, I think we shouldn't be afraid of the Triggerfish at all, we should respect them same as every other marine life. Be aware in which environment you dive and be alert of fish like the Titan trigger.
It is not our natural environment so we are just their guests!
So after I returned from the doctor with 3 stitches in my head, we all got ready for a big celebration.
Dressed up as a fairy (trigger fairy) we played several drinking games and the final snorkel test!
Mask on, snorkel in and drink whatever your DMT mentor pores in your snorkel!
Welcome to the world of a dive professional!!
After all, I think we shouldn't be afraid of the Triggerfish at all, we should respect them same as every other marine life. Be aware in which environment you dive and be alert of fish like the Titan trigger.
It is not our natural environment so we are just their guests!
Some interesting facts about the Titan Triggerfish:
The titan triggerfish is usually wary of divers and snorkelers, but during the reproduction season the female guards its nest, which is placed in a flat sandy area, vigorously against any intruders. The territory around the nest is roughly cone-shaped and divers who accidentally enter it may be attacked.
It is the largest member of its family. Most grow 40 - 60cm in length, although there have been reports of larger ones up to 75cm lurking around as well.
Its snout comprises about a third of its total length and its mouth is small with chisel-like teeth. Titan triggerfish can accelerate for short distances at a fairly surprising speeds.
They have a non-protrusible upper jaw, with hard, specialised teeth that in most species are designed for cracking the shells of various hard-shelled invertebrates.
So what should you do?
Divers should swim horizontally away from the nest rather than upwards which would only take them further into the territory.
If you have more questions or are interested in your personal diving adventure contact me here!
The titan triggerfish is usually wary of divers and snorkelers, but during the reproduction season the female guards its nest, which is placed in a flat sandy area, vigorously against any intruders. The territory around the nest is roughly cone-shaped and divers who accidentally enter it may be attacked.
It is the largest member of its family. Most grow 40 - 60cm in length, although there have been reports of larger ones up to 75cm lurking around as well.
Its snout comprises about a third of its total length and its mouth is small with chisel-like teeth. Titan triggerfish can accelerate for short distances at a fairly surprising speeds.
They have a non-protrusible upper jaw, with hard, specialised teeth that in most species are designed for cracking the shells of various hard-shelled invertebrates.
So what should you do?
Divers should swim horizontally away from the nest rather than upwards which would only take them further into the territory.
If you have more questions or are interested in your personal diving adventure contact me here!
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