It's been awhile and forgot I did this blog, but I had a massive injury and had to pull out of the training for mine clearance diver big shame but happy to say I'm now a head chef and progressing well

"The Royal Navy's Divers are a very highly trained group of men who have been specially selected to carry out specific tasks both underwater and on land, for the United Kingdom's fleet of warships wherever they are operating. Clearance Divers have to be able to operate in all seas and to work in all conditions. They are trained to the highest standard to be able to dispose of sea mines and bombs by blowing them up or defusing them to clear the way for ships to pass safely.
Trained to use a wide variety of equipment and capable of underwater engineering, search and rescue, and salvage tasks, RN Divers deliver a crucial operational capability to the Commander in Chief of the Royal Navy."
 

Well put karl or well pasted lol!!!!

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fifth step -- dive medical

Fifth step -- The diving medical

Well went to the diving medical on the 29^th September 2009 at 14:00, this was done at an indipendant medical company in Derriford, Plymouth. (make sure you take gym gear for fitness test)

At first I thought this was going to be a long day but it wasn’t that bad.

Firstly I went into a room with a nurse where she went through what would be happening and took basic measurements height, weight, BMI (Body Mass Index). Then went on to blood pressure, after all the paper work it was time for a work out. you have to do a step test to a clicking sound which gets quicker every 2 minutes, you have to give a work out rate from 1 to 14 and heart rate reading (from a heart rate monitor that you wear) to nurse after every rise in clicks.

Once the fitness test is over the reading are set out onto a graph which then works out if your fitness is suitable for diving trade, once the nurse was finished you then have wait for the main examiner to do the rest of the testing.

After a short wait I was then taking into the main examiners room where I was first asked a series of questions about my health and any pervious injuries and operations. Then I had a reflex test, bloods taken, hearing test, breathing test and finally a heart echo.

The medical examiner finally came to the conclusion that I was fit to dive unofficially as bloods have to be sent off first he said I would be contact by my AFCO (Armed Forces Career Office) for the official all clear which I finally got after about 2 weeks of tense waiting.

You get a letter to contact a gym in your area to book the PJFT (Pre Joining Fitness Test) which is a 1.5 mile run on a tread mill in 10 MINUTES!!!!

IF I SAY ONE THING WHICH IS IMPORTANT AND THAT’S GET RUNNING IN THE GYM AND OUT AND ABOUT AT LEAST 5 TIMES A WEEK TRY TO RUN 7-7.5 MILES.

Mine is on the 16^th of November 2009 and looking forward to it. Wish me luck – will let you know how I get on.

Third and fourth Stage - THE INTERVIEW

SO the third and fourth stage of becoming a Mine Clearance Diver

(3rd stage)EYE test-- which has to be done at a Independant eye clinic on your own time and money but get it back in a few weeks. i had passed my eye test with flying colors which you have to bring the form to the interview.

THE INTERVIEW
I went for my interview in the Plymouth AFCO branch on the 1st of sept 2009 at 12:15. I went in brand new suit, tie, and polished shoes (make the best impression I guess). Again as with the psychometric test you have to revise for your interview as they are going to ask you about your certain trade (MCD – Mine clearance Diver and other subjects such as:


• YOU, obviously
• Family
• Why you are joining
• Financial
• Where the RN are in the world, and why
• Current affairs
• Current and future equipment
• Command structure
• Recent and future developments
• Some background on different areas within the Navy, such as Marines, FAA


With most of the subjects you can find what you need from the royal navy main website. Also help from http://www.warshipsifr.com/index.html which is news of all military movements.


The interview is on a one to one basis with one of the recruitment officers, and you will be asked questions on each subject, don’t give one word answers show that you have revised and that you really want to be part of the trade you are applying for. Remember this is your time to show you really want this.
After the interview is over the recruitment officer will tell you there and then if you have passed or not.
Thankfully I had passed mine and was told I would be hearing from the office on the date of my full divers medical.
One week later I had my medical booked for the 29th sept 2009 at 14:00.
Let’s hope I’m FIT and HEALTHY!!!!!!!

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