St Helena Island South Atlantic Adventure: Scuba Diving in St Helena Island

A few weeks ago Andy and Henry started their PADI Open Water Diver certification course. There are a few instructors on the Island and Andy and Henry opted to learn to Dive with Anthony ‘Nails’ Thomas www.stsa.co.sh After a few lessons in the classroom passing theory tests, they advanced on to confined water dives in the swimming pool. As David and Deanna are on the same course, Hazel and I thought we’d take a trip into Town to see them in action, so we set off early one Sunday morning to see how they were getting on.
We had heard so much about it from them all we were looking forward to a cup of coffee in the sun whilst watching the dive lesson.
Well, for us at least, it was a disappointment. It was warm in Jamestown, but not baking hot, so sunbathing was out. If it hadn’t been for bubbles coming to the surface of the pool, we wouldn’t have known they were there! Being used to swimming pools in the UK where you can see the bottom, the pool water here, although ‘clean’ is heavily chlorinated, meaning visibility is low and the water is cloudy. For Hazel and me, it was like watching paint dry. At one point there was a brief shower of rain, but then it cleared and warmed up. We thought we’d go for a coffee. Well St Helena is gearing up for tourism, but not, apparently, on a Sunday morning. We did not find one place open, so returned to bubble watching by the pool! Occasionally someone would surface briefly and they did have to get out all kitted up to take further instruction. I’ve asked Andy to describe the course for the Blog. I’m not keen on being submerged, coupled with a lucky perforated eardrum, means I can’t dive - Happy to watch others – next time I’ll bring an ice cold beer!

Anthony is a good teacher and it is not long before the group have advanced to sea water diving. Their first trip out in the Atlantic Ocean includes a dive around the wreck of the SS Papanui which sunk in James Bay in 1911. They also had to demonstrate a number of skills and manoeuvres under water.
Then disaster strikes! Whilst taking part in the usual Tuesday night 5-a-side football, Andy stops Paul McGinnety scoring a goal, but in doing so he breaks his wrist!
The next day a visit to the local ‘GP’ clinic gets him sent to the hospital for X-rays. These have to be sent to Cape Town for diagnosis. Although there are medically qualified people on the Island, there are knowledge gaps due to the vast range of conditions and low population. Later that evening we get a telephone call from ‘Dr Trevor’ a South African doctor who we know well. The radius bone has fractured and Andy will need to go to hospital the following morning.
By 10 am Andy has been plastered by Linda (Woods) – nurse and friend and returns home to break the news to Anthony – no diving for Andy for 6 weeks.

Deanna, Henry and David continue on the course with Dive 2, 3 and 4 completing all successfully and are now fully qualified PADI Open Water Scuba Divers! Andy will be completing as soon as the plaster is removed! Won’t come too soon for me either! He’s not the best patient and of course is no longer available for cooking, cleaning, washing-up, present wrapping, tree decorating, card writing etc etc – get the picture?
We are now preparing for Xmas! It really doesn’t feel right – too hot to be December. We have a tree ‘on order’ and will be joining Linda (the nurse) and Martin for Xmas dinner, along with several others. I’ve just finished preparing 14 starters . On Boxing Day we are planning a Piccolo BBQ, hosted by David, Hazel and Deanna. Let’s hope the weather stays just like it is this weekend!
The dogs have really settled down too now and have been really enjoying their walks in Plantation Forest. Smudge has made friends with Wellington who belongs to Mark and Tamara Capes (AKA The Governor and his wife)and we have walked the forest together. It is wonderfully cool under the forest canopy and makes it a pleasant stroll.