Knowledge and curiosity are the pillars upon which all discovery is built. The SDI Research course will enhance your knowledge of the working of underwater ecosystems. Combined with your own natural curiosity, you will find that you see much more in the reef or kelp forest or wherever you dive.
The SDI Research Diver certification course at our LA dive school will teach the certified diver the necessary skills and knowledge in basic Research Diving. After the completion of this course, you will be better able to discover, explore, and appreciate the underwater environment by using research techniques and better preserve and protect the underwater environment.
Some of the topics your SDI Dive Instructor will cover include...
- Underwater compass navigation project
- Local ocean food chain
- Data collection with slates and underwater camera's
- Underwater mapping project
- Basic oceanography session
- Temperature readings and depth soundings
- Fish identification project
- Algae identification project
- Diver buoyancy clinic
Requirements:
- Advanced Certified
- SMB & finger spool, Knife for safety, Underwater flashlights, Compass
Course Includes:
- Local California Fish ID Slate
- One morning classroom session
- 2-3hr afternoon pool session
- Two dives with Research Diver Certified Instructor
- Course assignments
- SDI Research Diver Certification Card
Schedule
Saturday Classroom
Why Research?
- Learn how to quantify/measure what you see
- Way to help the ocean
- You as a diver are an ambassador for the ocean
Marine Biology
- Ecology
- Food Chains (Why this is important!)
- 4 habitats with focus on kelp
- Seasonal changes in conditions/organisms
Marine Organisms
- Fishes
- Invertebrates
- Mammals (seals, sea lions, dolphins)
-Diving Methodology
- Dive planning and why it’s important. Nitrox!!
- Underwater Navigation
- Measuring Techniques
- Quadrants
- Transect
- The advantages/disadvantages for both types
- Mapping
- How to record data (slate, camera)
- MPAs
Saturday Pool
-Skill checkout: Mask, regulator, buoyancy, navigation, how to run a transect, Teams lie out and swim to ID objects, did they all get the same? No? Why?, Speed of swimming, type of organisms
-How to lay a quadrant
-Inverts/algae -> Slow or sessile organisms
Sunday Boat (3 Dives)
-Dive #1
- Plan the dive (depth and time)
- Find habitats and use your compass
- In teams, run transect and record fish species
- Take notes on conditions
-Dive #2
- Plan the dive
- Lay quadrants (sessile organisms ID)
- Photo?? Does not disturb aggregations
