JAKARTA - A Dubai student set a record as the world's youngestUNCH diver, having completed a series of dedicated dives off the coast of Fujairah, including a simulation of a 21-meter underwater rescue mission.
Ellie May Craig, who is from England, managed to enter the elite dive league on December 31, when she was exactly 12 years old. The previous record was held byROSS Monteiro-Hurigan who completed a master diver test in December 2020, a day after his 12th birthday.
"I'm very happy and excited. I really like it," Ellie told The National News, as reported January 14.
"I'm nervous to know if I graduate or not. It's a little more difficult than I expected. Physically it's more difficult for me than mentally. I'm really having fun underwater," continued Ellie, who wants to be a marine biologist at a young age.
"It was tiring both in the pool and at sea. I took 11 hours to finish everything. But I was determined to break the record," he said.
Ellie said she had to find a missing diver, rescue a panic-hit diver underwater, and give CPR to an unconscious diver, as part of her rescue dive test.
"I have different scenarios in swimming pools and also under the sea," he said.
Previously, Dubai English Speaking College's biggest student in Dubai had already held two diving records. Ellie is the youngest to pass a vacuum diving test at the age of 10, as well as the youngest female open water diver, whom she won the day after her 10th birthday in 2020.
The grandfather Ray Hewitt, 59, who is also a diver, said, "It was a long day underwater for him. But he did. He started diving at 9 a.m. and finished all the tasks at 5.30 p.m."
Ellie's next goal is to become the youngest female diving expert when she is 15 years old.
To qualify as a master diver, Ellie's rescue dive involves making someone aware and providing first aid both underwater and surface.
One of his tasks also includes doing simple mathematical calculations when he is 21 meters underwater, to prove that his mental abilities are not affected when he is submerged.
Before he started his world record experiment, his grandfather said: "The reason why it's so hard to finish it in a day is because it takes time and is tiring for divers. Imagine a 12-year-old boy doing it. But he believes he can do it."
It is known, hundreds of hours of training and more than 50 open-air dives are needed to becomeCUs. Ellie has completed 74 dives, mostly in Fujairah and the Maldives.
,500's mother Craig said, "strengthening" seeing her take part in extreme sports like diving.
"I was really nervous all day. He went 21 meters deep today and it's really cold. Imagine your daughter doing extreme sports."
"But he really enjoys this and we really trust him. We are right behind him because diving is the thing he likes the most," he explained. Ellie and her parents have lived for the last 11 years in the United Arab Emirates.
The family said they were grateful to the staff at Al Boom Diving for all their enthusiasm and help in realizing Ellie's dream.
It is known, citing KAWA, the title 'Master Scuba Diver' is a certification issued by the PADI international organization. This is the highest level of non-professional recreational diving in the PADI diver's education system.
Less than two percent of divers are able to reach this level, and it is only possible to achieve it after passing some of PADI's specialties.
Formality for young Ellie, who gets it on her 12th birthday. Interestingly, Ellie's record will only be matched, it cannot be passed, because the age of 12 is a prerequisite for certification.
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