Divemaster Snorkel Test

Trip Start Mar 22, 2008

Trip End May 01, 2010

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Flag of Thailand Ko Phi Phi Don, Thailand
Saturday, January 10, 2009

For anyone that doesn't know, a snorkel test is the final box that needs to be ticked before you can be officially certified as a Divemaster. It involves the Divemaster candidate wearing a dive mask (so you can't breathe through your nose) with a snorkel inserted in your mouth. The candidates instructor then pours a bucket of whatever he deems fit into the snorkel while the candidate attemps to swallow it all in one go without spilling anything or getting sick or dying. Usually the instructor fills the bucket with some of the vilest alcoholic substances they can find but I have heard of substances such as tobasco sauce, baked beans and fish sauce being used.

There were 4 of us that had completed the course at the same time. Caroline and Cian from Ireland of all places and Hanna from Morocco so at least I had a few other people to share my pain. Keyth (also from Ireland) who had started his course almost at the same time as me was sick as a parrot with dengue fever on the night of
the snorkel test so there was no way he could do the bucket with us which was really disappointing for everyone, especially for him.

At the beginning of the night the instructors at Visa dressed us up in t-shirts and paraded us around town before we hit Calamaro our favourite restaurant for dinner. Once the trivial matter of food was out of the way it was time for The Main Event: The Snorkel Test. The Venue: Carlitos Beach Bar.

We were lined up in 4 seats facing the crowd that were beighing for blood (or at least some vomit). We made a little speech and then it was time for the instructors to take their revenge on us. I was reasonably fortunate in that my bucket was filled with Sangsom (rotten Thai rum), coke, sambuca and tequila. I got through the bucket
easier than I thought I would, my Irish drinking skills coming to the fore. We weren't done yet as my instructor produced a full pint of Guinness for each of the 4 candidates in honour of the fact that 3 of us hailed from the emerald isle. I would have loved to sip and enjoy my first Guinness in over 6 months but this being a snorkel test the stipulation was that we had to neck it in one go as well. I slaughtered it but I could feel the Guinness and the bucket contents sloshing around in my stomach all night. Despite this I rejected the urge to get sick and pushed on through the pain barrier like the hard man that I am.

A dip in the sea followed soon after but I understand this is fairly standard for anyone that consumes a bucket quickly on a tropical island. The party continued on until the early morning. At least that's what I was told the next day. A great night....thanks Visa. I'll never forget it....

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