What is your name and where are you from?
I’m Rosie and I am from the UK.
What made you decide to embark on the IDC or Divemaster course?
Diving changed my life. While working as a Divemaster I began to understand my autonomy. We can’t control what happens around us but we can control ourselves and how we respond, and within that there’s freedom. I think if we can learn it in the water, we can apply it on land, and maybe make the world a little less messy. I wanted to share that and create space for others to do the same.
What was your favourite part/highlight of the training?
Deco time. The PADI IDC course is full on. There’s so much to learn and I wanted to absorb as much as my fish brain would humanly allow. At the dive shop there are loads of cozy, quiet corners with breath taking views. So I’d find a spot, shut off my brain for a moment, then come back more engaged and responsive.
What was your biggest challenge and how did the team help you overcome this?
When starting the course, I felt like a very small fish in an overcrowded ocean. As a soon-to-be newly qualified Instructor I felt I had nothing to offer next to OWSI’s with years of experience, but the team gave so much support, advice and encouragement which bolstered confidence and helped me carve out a place for myself in the industry.
Where are you working now and what is your current role?
I am currently working in Perhentian, Malaysia, as a PADI OWSI. I love it. I am learning all the time (I don’t think that will ever stop) and get to do what I love everyday. When I’m not working I miss work!
What is your favourite part about your job?
I love teaching the Open Water Course. I really enjoy teaching people how to be responsible for themselves in an environment they’re initially quite fearful of. I love watching them understand the consequences of their movements, their choices, their actions… watching their understanding and skill evolve enough for them to feel safe and free enough to be awe inspired in the water.
I particularly enjoy teaching kids. On land they often don’t have the space to think, speak or be responsible for themselves, but in the water they learn it fast... they’re often much more capable and natural than the adults.
How did your training at Purple Dive prepare or facilitate you in finding/working as a dive professional?
As part of the course we had job hunting and CV workshops, but a lot of the work happened behind the scenes. The whole team gave a huge amount of support, advice and contacts which massively helped get a flip flop in the door.
What is your best dive to this day?
That’s a crazy question! I love the fleeting moments that come and go within each dive… but if I reeeeeeeally have to pick just one whole dive… it’s a random dive during my Divemaster training in the Similan Islands, Thailand. I don’t remember the dive site name, the date, time of day, or even what I saw… maybe a moray eel ( ?)… but what I do remember was that it was fun.
When I started diving I was rigid and fearful... stuck in my head… but on that dive I was having fun. I felt safe and in control enough to forget my brain and play. To embrace the joy and freedom of the water. Since then every dive is a new adventure.
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