Eco-Research Diver.
Pre-requisites - PADI Advanced Open Water or equivalent, Eco-Foundation Diver + 20 logged dives (exit requirement)
Having completed the Eco-Foundation course, you will now be equipped with the theoretical knowledge to go out and put what you have learnt into practice over four open water dives on the Eco Research diver course.
Eco Research diver is the first of the diving based courses you will take as part of the Underwater Ecosystems programme. It will give you an introduction to underwater research diving and some of the survey skills needed to allow you to begin your scientific discovery.
Over the Four research dives you will cover the following:
Dive 1 - Mapping 1
Initial site familiarisation, recording key features and making initial measurements of dive site, bearings, max/min depths
Dive 2 – Mapping 2
Swim the search pattern over the dive site, recording data e.g. compass bearing of each leg, distance travelled, depths, bottom type
Dive 3 – Fish Size estimation, marine life identification and visual count methods
This dive will follow knowledge development in the classroom on local aquatic life. Proficiency in marine life ID for the local environment will need to be demonstrated before taking part in the dive. The dive will involve:
- Size estimation of fish models
- Underwater I.D.
- Visual count methods.
Dive 4 – Transect Survey Methods
Dive preceded by classroom knowledge development of transect methods. Following on from this, transect skills will be practiced on dry land to ensure familiarity before underwater practice. Dive will include deployment of transect lines and survey methods along the line such as quadrats and % cover. Research diver skills include:
- Line transect
- Point intercept
- Line intercept
- Quadrat estimate
Course Dates
Eco-Research Diver courses are programmed for the following weekends. A course may not run on a given weekend due to e.g. Instructor avialability, student numbers on the course being to low.
14-15th March, 28-29th March, 11-12th April, 25-26th April, 9-10th May, 23-24th May, 6-7th June
Course Costs
Dive centre price including shore/boat dives - £170
UK shore dive price - £129
Expedition price including shore/boat dives £119
(All students in full time education receive a 10% discount)
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