[B] Volunteering for Diving research [/B]

[aljflare]

hiya,

I'm about to leave university and would like to rack up as many dives as possible before doing a dive master course. I was thinking that a good way of doing this would be to do marine or coral reef research (hopefully somewhere hot). Has anyone got any suggestions as to where this could be done or organisations to contact??

Cheers,

Al from the UK

 

[ryt]

depending on what you plan on doing, most universities require you to do about a few hours of paperwork to get started, then a few sheets per dive cause of liability. Before that, most will also require 100 hrs of scientific diving training, medical examination, etc.

Overall its probably not a good route to go. If you want a bunch of dives, the cheapest way to do it is shorediving on your own with a friend.

 

[archman]

You're in luck Al, there's oodles of coral reef monitoring and marine research programs worldwide that depend on volunteer recreational divers. Many are scuba-intensive, and will train the stuffing out of you.

Here's some of my favorites.

Earthwatch
http://www.earthwatch.org/site/pp.asp?c=dsJSK6PFJnH&b=386443

Greenforce
http://www.greenforce.org/

R.E.E.F.
http://www.reef.org/

Ryt's correct about university-sponsored science diving... it's really not worth the trouble. Persistent legacy standards and increasing liability concerns have nearly shut classical science diving down.

With most volunteer programs, you'll still need to pay your own way.

 

[marku]

I dunno if they still have their volunteer program in place, but if they do then they have a killer volunteer program in the Philippines. Lots of dives (some night dives even), fish & coral survey training, and rustic living. Check them out at seahorse.fisheries.ubc.ca

Goodluck!

marku

 

[BlueViewDivers]

Have a look at Reef Check site, www.reefcheck.org This is fully international, and is run on a volunteer basis. Also have a look at www.coralcay.org. Hope this helps!!