RESEARCH DIVING METHODS (June 24 – July 12)
Instructors: Kyla Flook (ASU BIOS, Dive Safety Officer) and Dr. Samantha de Putron (ASU BIOS)
The Research Diving Methods (RDM) course aims to familiarize participants with the fundamentals of scientific diving, both theoretical and practical. Research methods and practices are taught in class and then subsequently rehearsed on SCUBA during open-water sessions in the field. Underwater research techniques include: navigation, search and recovery procedures, rescue diving, proper usage of lift bags and mapping techniques. A series of introductory science lectures provide the basic understanding of why and how marine scientists study communities using SCUBA. These lectures are integrated with field work to practice data acquisition using a range of methods and equipment, such as: underwater surveys to measure coral communities, coral condition monitoring to measure coral bleaching and disease, coral recruitment surveys, reef fish counts, seagrass surveys, common restoration techniques and underwater cementing, blue water diving to study planktonic communities, and marine archaeology. By the end of the course, participants will be trained to the standards defined by the American Academy of Underwater Sciences, of which ASU BIOS is an organizational member. Future renewals will be subject to AAUS requirements. During the course, participants will also have the option to elect into further specialist PADI qualifications, such as Advanced Open Water and Rescue Diver.
This course is aimed at all SCUBA enthusiasts who are looking to expand their experiences and skill sets whilst being immersed in marine science. In addition, given the usefulness and increasingly common employment of SCUBA as a research tool for marine science, undergraduate students possessing underwater research training will enjoy a competitive advantage.
The course syllabus and further information can be found here.
Prerequisites:
• Participants must already be SCUBA certified (minimum at the PADI Open Water Diver level, or internationally recognized equivalent). A minimum of 12 dives, including at least one dive in the 6 months prior to the course, is highly recommended.
• Per AAUS guidelines, participants are expected to provide all of their own equipment, as well as proof of recent gear servicing (regulators and BCD) within the 12 months prior to the course.
• To be permitted to dive at ASU BIOS, you must complete, and return to the Dive Safety Officer, various forms and meet certain medical safety standards, which will require a physical examination from a health practitioner prior to arrival in Bermuda. The student dive information package (SDIP), including all such forms and supplemental information, will be provided after notification of acceptance to the course.
Application deadline April 30, 2024
Full course details, prerequisites and application instructions are available here.
Suitably qualified applicants of all nationalities are eligible to apply for scholarship funding towards course fees, which include 3-weeks tuition, campus accommodation and meals. We do not award scholarships towards travel expenses, visas or medical/travel insurance, which are the sole responsibility of participants.
To apply for a scholarship please fill out the appropriate section of the application form.
Questions? Please consult the Summer Course FAQs or email us at bios.education@bios.asu.edu