RESEARCH DIVER TRAINING PROGRAM

On a semi-annual basis, CCD conducts Research Diver Training in kelp forest species identification, for persons interested in learning more about what they are seeing while diving. For those interested in obtaining a Research Diver Certification, further training is provided in data collection protocols associated with CCD's Key Species Monitoring Project. For more information about that project, please see the KSM section of this web site. There are approximately 50 different species of organisms included in the identification training, all of which were selected for study by the Scientific Advisory Board of Catalina Conservancy Divers. The selected species include fish, marine algae, and invertebrate organisms common to the Southern California kelp forest environment (images of which can be viewed on this web site).

Phase I of the training includes a lecture/slide presentation at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium auditorium, by Dr. Roy Houston of Loyola Marymount University. In addition to information related to visual identification of the selected species, Dr. Houston provides background information and facts about the characteristics of many of the species. The slide presentation is followed by a walk through of the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, which is regarded by many to be one of the best marine science teaching facilities in Southern California.
Phase I is open to the public, and there is no charge for attendance. The usual and customary $5.00 donation for admission to the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is suggested, for those who are not signed up for the Research Diver Certification. A CMA donation is included in the $50 cost of the RDT Program, for those registering for the full training program.

Phase II is a check out dive at Casino Point, Avalon. In addition to a review of species identification, and a quiz on photo identification, underwater species identification proficiency is practiced and demonstrated by divers in this phase of the training program. This phase also includes lectures and demonstrations related to the 3 data collection protocols involved in the KSM Project: fish count, band transect, and quadrat. For more information about the details of the data collection protocols involved in the RDT Program, a manual for the protocols and procedures can be downloaded elsewhere on this site.

Phase III also entails check out dives, to practice and demonstrate proficiency in the three data collection protocols, also held at Casino Point, Avalon. Advanced data collection training dives are typically scheduled several times a year, through the courtesy of boat owners who are members of the the Catalina Marineros. This allows divers completing the entire Research Diver Certification to further practice data collection and species identification, before integrating into KSM teams.

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Any member of the general public, certified diver or not, can attend Phase I, and there is no charge. To proceed on with further phases of the RDT, participants must be certified scuba divers, and must become members of Catalina Conservancy Divers in order to dive as a volunteer participant in the program. Membership in CCD entails annual dues of $125. For more information about joining CCD, see the Membership page of this site, or call Erica Cushing at (310) 510-2595 ext. 114.

There are no special prerequisites to participating in the RDT Program, such as Rescue Diver Certificate, Master Diver, etc. All participants in CCD diving activities are, however, strongly encouraged to maintain standards similar to those established by the American Association of Underwater Scientists. In addition to maintenance of good physical fitness, especially swimming proficiency, it is recommended that volunteer research divers be proficient in rescue diver techniques, CPR, 02 administration, and have a complete physical exam at least every 5 years (every 2 years if over 50). It is also recommended that a log be kept of all dives, all equipment be regularly inspected, and that a record of regulator servicing every 6 months be kept. These standards are not merely recommendations, but are requirements, for those certified to participate in ongoing CCD projects through the Wrigley Institute of Environmental Studies (including kelp growth and urchin census studies, Undaria eradiction project, and the KSM site at Pumpernickel Cove in the Wrigley Marine Reserve).

NEXT RESEARCH DIVER TRAINING PROGRAM

Phase I for the Fall, 2005 RDT Program is scheduled for 1:00 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. on Saturday, September 10th, at the auditorium of the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, 3750 Stephen White Drive, San Pedro. For directions you may call (310) 548-7563, or see www.cabrilloaq.org.

There is no sign up requirement or cost for attendance at Dr. Houston's presentation, and walk through of the aquarium. But those individuals intending to participate in further phases of the training must register, and pay the $50.00 course fee, in addition to becoming members of CCD prior to the date of the check out dives. You can download a sign-up form from this web site, or you can request to have one e mailed to you by contacting Jim Updike (jupdike@hondafcu.org). Sign-up forms can be obtained by email or downloaded, completed, saved, and returned to Jim Updike as an email attachment; and all perspective participants are encouraged to do so in advanve of the Phase I date. A copy of your completed form, along with cash or a check for the registration fee, should be brought to with you to Phase I. Check in is between 12:30 and 12:45 on the date of the Phase I presentation, to complete registration and distribute the books and materials for the program.

Phase II is scheduled to take place at Casino Point Underwater Park, Avalon, on Saturday, October 1st, starting at 9:00 A.M. Participants should make Catalina Express reservations and arrangements well in advance, and should plan on being at Casino Point until approximately 3:00 P.M.

Phase III is scheduled to take place at Casino Point Underwater Park, Avalon, on Saturday, October 15th, on a schedule similar to the Phase II dive date. A second Phase III dive date may be scheduled if a number of participants having completed Phase II have a calendar conflict with the scheduled dive date.

HOW TO REGISTER FOR CCD RDT

The following steps should be undertaken prior to the Phase I dive date: (1) Download the registration form from this web site HERE (if you wish to have a registration form e mailed to you, please contact Jim Updike jupdike@hondafcu.org); (2) If you are not already a CCD member, see the Membership page of this site regarding joining CCD, and submit your application with membership dues to Erica Cushing at the Conservancy office in Avalon; (3) E mail Jim Updike at jupdike@hondafcu.org, CCD Research Diver Training Team Leader, to confirm your intention to participate in the RDT Program with a completed registration form as an attachment; (4) Bring the competed membership form and program registration fee with you, and complete registration between 12:30 and 12:45 on the date of the Phase I program.

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING

The course materials include 2 books by Dan Gotshall, and course materials on a CD ROM. A computer with a CD ROM drive, and Adobe Acrobat Reader are needed for viewing course materials and images, as well as for take home quiz completion.

You should bring a pad of paper and pen for taking notes during the Phase I presentations, and program orientation. For Phases II and III, divers will need their own dive gear, including 2 tanks for each dive day. A tank can be rented at Casino Point for about $10.00, and refilled for about $5.00. An $8.00 fee for having Catalina Baggage store and/or transport dive gear to and from Casino Point is well worth the money. Round trip on Catalina Express is $49.00, with parking generally in the $10.00 range. You should bring a bag lunch for Phase II and III at Casino Point, as lectures on protocol and procedure will take place at Casino Point during the surface interval between species ID check out dives; there are places nearby to get a quick lunch near the Casino as well, but time would be limited due to the planned lectures.

Divers who successfully complete all phases of the training will receive a Catalina Conservancy Divers Research Diver certificate and a Research Diver patch.