1 Maharashtra Naval Unit NCC, Mumbai conducted the SCUBA Diving Camp 2014-15 at Command Swimming Pool of the Western Naval Command, Mumbai for the cadets representing all the seven Groups of Maharashtra Directorate. They are Mumbai ‘A’ and ‘B’ Group, Pune Group, Amravati Group, Kolhapur Group, Nagpur Group and Aurangabad Group. This camp includes cadets from Navy, Army and Air Wing from various parts of Maharashtra.
The Main Objectives of Camp :-
•) To expose NCC cadets to SCUBA Diving and Survival at Sea.
•)To build confidence amongst participants to voluntarily undertake waterborne rescue operations like flood relief, natural calamities etc when need arises.
•)To inculcate the spirit of adventure, camaraderie, character building, team work and ability to willingly face adverse conditions & hardships together.
•)To enjoy underwater flora and fauna.
•)To expose cadets to take up diving as a career option.
Camp Selection:
Western Naval Command has extended all facilities for conducting this camp at the Command Swimming pool located in Navy Nagar, Colaba. The Command Clearance Diving Team (Mumbai) has provided Diving equipment and Diving instructors to conduct the camp in both theory and practical classes on Diving. The camp was conducted from 06 Jul to 12 Jul 2014 which included swimming, medical and physical fitness tests. A total of 50 Cadets – 18 Girls and 32 Boys participated in screening and selection, out of which 30 cadets – 10 Girls and 20 Boys were selected for phase II training (which includes the actual exposure to SCUBA Diving) from13 Jul to 26 Jul 2014
Phase 1: Selection Procedure
The selection procedure was divided in 3 parts-
a) Ground Test.
b) Swimming Test.
c) Medical Test.
Ground Test was conducted at Kholi Stadium at South Coloba in south Mumbai.
The Test includes
1) 2km Run
2) 20 Push Ups (2 sets)
3) 15 Pull ups (2 sets)
Swimming Test was conducted at COMMAND SWIMMING POOL Colocated with Kholi Stadium in South Mumbai.
The swimming test Include a 400m Swim with the time limit of 4 min.
The final test was Medical Test was conducted in INS ASWINI HOSPITAL situated in South colaba. The test was divided in 4 parts.
1) ECG Test.
2) Chest xray test.
3) Ear Audioable test.
4) Chamber test.
The test were conducted to know the potential of cadets whtheir they are physically fit for the traning of Scuba diving.
The day used to start with a 2 km run in kholi stadium. Further we used to deal with ground exercise for next 2 hours.
After ending up with ground sessions for 3 hours. we were granted a break of 10 min.
Then we were taken to the Command Swimming pool and were granted traning on use of scuba diving equipments.
We had traning sessions on using the mask and snorkel.Further we learned the use of fins.
After sucessfully learning use of mask,snorkel and fins. we had a session on how to wear scuba diving equipments in short span. This was the most important session in scuba diving.
Next session was on how to communicate with diver through bells. This communication network in language of bells (ie a Nylon rope tied to shoulder on which is pulled and streched to communicate known as bell). We also had the jump session from 15fts approx.
Also in the evening we had lectures on different topics related to Defence.
On the second last day of camp all the cadets were taken to Naval dockyard to visit the Indian Naval Ship Trishul. It was a great experience to visit the dockward to see the different types of ships, Submarines etc. We were lucky enough to see the Ins Virat Standing in Mumbai Dockyard.
We had sessions on How the Radar system, Sonar System works. We also had sessions on how to circulate within the ship with the help of maps. We also visited the control room of ship from where the ship is been operated.
It was really a great experience to live the navy life at such a young age. I am fortunate to be the part of Scuba diving camp.
