11SEP2004
"The pupil must develop a new sense or, more accurately, a new alertness
of all his senses, which will enable him to avoid dangerous thrusts
as though he could feel them coming. Once he has mastered this art of evasion, he
no longer needs to watch with undivided attention the movements of his
opponent, or even of several opponents at once. Rather, he sees and feels what is
going to happen, and at that same moment he has already avoided its effect without
there being "a hair’s breadth" between perceiving and avoiding. This, then, is what
counts: a lightning reaction which has no further need of conscious
observation. In this respect at least the pupil makes himself independent
of all conscious purpose. And that is a great gain."
- Eugen Herrigel
Oh, Yeah! Were going to go places with this! I've said it last time but even more so now, the more time I spend in the water the easier and more comfortable it is. Passed the 3rd knowledge review and test and also the confined water dive.
Neutral buoyant swim. Its becoming easier the more we work on neutral buoyancy. Then swim around without crashing, up or down. Jeff keeps saying that this is one of the most important skills and I believe him. After a couple of uncontrolled ascents in the pool it becomes kinda obvious that lack of buoyancy control could be disastrous!
We also did the CESA (controlled emergency swimming ascent). You get three breaths and then have to swim horizontally or on an incline for 30feet while letting air out of the bc to remain neutrally buoyant and continually exhaling, no breaths. This is to simulate an out of air, or low on air condition. Sounds easy don't it. It was tougher than I thought and although I didn't require a "do over" I would like to do it again.
During this confined water dive we also did the tired diver tow, the 10-minute float (without gear), and 200m swim (also without gear). It sure is easier with a BCD and snorkel or regulator.
Somehow I'm having a problem with the top of my toes chafing, I think inside my neoprene socks, so I sewed some lycra socks to put on before the neoprene and hopefully will protect my toes from rubbing.
Serge away!
That sock doesn't look too bad.