How to become an Open Water Diver

Before the end of 2018, I did something that was out of my expectation.

I challenged myself to become an open water diver. Seriously, this was a great achievement of my life. 

Strictly speaking, I do not know how to swim. I am afraid of water since I was small. However, during end of matriculation period, an event changed me. For the sake of someone, I forced myself to learn how to swim. 

Since then, i had a little basic about swimming. I knew to swim in "frog style". A handicapped frog...because I had difficulty to overcome the fear of water. If you threw me into water, I became panic easily. This was the reason I cant master swimming. 

I learnt in a hard way, in which I go swim alone without any partners , I learnt together with kids and I had short period of time to learn swimming before entering Year 1 university life. 

Come back to 2018, I still not able to overcome the fear of water. But i decided to take up the open water diver course, to prove

-I can overcome my fear

-I need some adventurous and exciting life

Thank to my good friend, Yong! She introduced me her tutor. Mr Yusof (In Langkawi)

Yong is a great friend, adventurous, supportive, truthful. Basically, if she comment her tutor is the best, I will definitely believe it. 

Now I STRONGLY RECOMMEND my tutor Mr Yusof to all of you!

Hence, without much consideration, I participated in the 3days 2nights open water diver course in Langkawi. The cost was about RM 1450 (not including the flight tickets/ accommodation) 

Overall, i had spent about less than RM 2200 for whole trips including the foods. 

Again, I traveled alone as much of my friends were advanced divers. 

But if you travel with someone, the fees for accommodation and food can be shared. 

You can pay the fee at the end of the course either bank in or cash. 

Duration of stay:

-the course took 3days 2nights

-but you need to wait at least 12hours after last dive before taking the flight. Hence, my stay in langkawi was 4days 3nights

Special things u need to prepare in advanced:

-Swimsuit (you can buy in Langkawi)

-Towel (you can get in motel /hotel too)

-no need googles( as they will prepare for you)

-short pants 

-sunblock with water resistant

-go pro camera if you like to take underwater video/ photo

Accommodation 

-I had live in Sweet Inn Motel (simple inn with air cond, tv, basic amenities). Price moderate

-if you want to cut short your budget, you can choose other inn/ simple rooms, the price can down to rm 50 per night

But since i am here for holiday, i would like to pampered myself with slightly pricey place. 

Sweet inn motel very near to pantai cenang, just few stones walking distance. You can get lots of food nearby. 

Transportation:

-From langkawi airport, you need Grab to the inn 

-Yusof's company will arrange driver to fetch you to the yatch from the place you stayed. So you no need worry about the transportation during the course

For the course:

You need to sign the consent for the course

1st day: you will learn the principles /equipment with Yusof. Subsequently, you will practice in the swimming pool regarding all the techniques

2nd day: Dive near an island along with Yusof with depth up to 8m + real life practical for techniques

3rd day: Dive near an island along with Yusof with depth up to 12m. 

You will get a tutorial book. You must pay attention to the teaching and study the book at night. 

There will be an exam on 3rd day. You had to pass the exam and the skills before qualified as an open water diver.

Beautiful sea with beautiful weather

If you lucky enough with good weather, everything will be smooth

 My last day, i passed my exam and diving skills!
Yusof also took a lot of beautiful diving videos and photos for me. His photo and video technique are superb!

Cannot upload the video here as the size of videos were too large (gopro hero 6)

Personal view:
Seriously, I was scared to death for my diving experience. For a person who fear of water, it seem impossible at first. But at the end, i made it with the help of Yusof.
I had no regretted and i did enjoyed the dive.
I admit i will still panic inside the water, but this experience had made me stronger and more powerful!

There was nothing impossible in this world! Only lack of people who want to change it to possible!

I get my licence as a qualified Open water diver !