It took my almost a minute to equalize my ears and it worked just for once. I began to worry about the advanced course. There were other instructors but course instructor Eric on board. He cared about his open water course and would not help me for advanced course. No choice but took my chance.
The advanced course students and I descended along a rope. As usual, I was in front of the students but descent backwards so that I could see all students. But, started from the surface, I kept pinched and blew my nose. I pretended to remind students to equalize, but in fact, I was trying to equalize my ears. As a few meters deeper, I was trying more frequently. Finally, I made it after descending five meters. What a relief.
The next challenge after the course was introductory diving. I had to do three introductory dives before lunch. Again, Eric was not going to help me. He would be occupied by the open water course this morning. No choice but did the three introductory dives.
The difficulty of the introductory dives was a group of three people who could not swim underwater well. Even worse was that they were going to dive twice this morning. I had taken them diving yesterday, so I knew it would be a heavy lifting to drag them against current. I could have descended deeper to avoid the strong current near the surface. However, I had to do many dives today and it would be better to keep it shallow for my health.
The first introductory dive was fine, but the last one was not. I was exhausted at the end of the dive. I could not fight against the current and was drafted away. I had to throw in the towel. I raised my hand to the boat for a pickup. It hurt my pride but I had no choice.
The last challenge was three referral students in the afternoon. Referral students were the rare chance to practice my teaching skills. I had taught two referral students in three months. I would be happy to take referral students but not today. I had done four dives in the morning, and it would take two more to teach referral students in the afternoon. I expected Eric could teach the referral students after he finished the open water course.
'No. I have to do a makeup dive. A student couldn't finish the skills this morning. You are an instructor. You teach the course.' Eric rejected.
No choice but taught the referral students. By the time I finished the course, I had had six dives today. Almost reached my person record seven dives a day.
Enough. I had a choice to quit.
The photo was taken when a Minke whale passed by.
