LSanchez:
Hi all.
Are there any CCD divers out there? If so, what was/is your thoughts on the program? Like it? Hate it? Waste of time? Too hard?
I've been thinking about taking the research diver training but wondered if it was more geared towards true marine biologists rather than someone looking to help and learn. I have no biology background.
Any info would be great!
...and I know I'm not the only one. Actually, I'm not fully through the program yet - I had to miss the last phase of the training, which I still need to make up before I can actually participate with them, but I plan on doing it as soon as they schedule it.
Quite the contrary to being geared to true biologists - the training is really aimed at just ordinary divers who want to help out. They teach you everything from the basic, beginning level, and are very understanding. The basic training is to get divers ready to be able to help volunteer with them and make sure that there is some consistency to what people are doing. Since most of the research involves counting the life in a given area, the creature id part aims to make sure that everyone knows what a, say, garibaldi is as oppossed to a sheephead, and that they're marking them correctly. The rest of the training - the in water portion, is really just confirming that you can actually dive, are able to id the fish, and know how to use all of the equipment.
I believe that the first part of the training is free and requires no other commitment. That's the fish id lecture, and I would recommend that any diver interested in learning more about the creatures he's diving with attend. It really was eye-opening for me to dive after going to the training to see how much better I was able to distinguish the different types of fish in the water. You can always go to the Phase I to see what it's about, and then if you want to do more, sign up then. If it doesn't appeal, you're only out the $5 parking fee and the afternoon.
If you have any other questions on the training process or the program, feel free to ask, but by all means I would say that the program was a worthwhile one.