	Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre
	Canada's premier coastal and marine facility for teaching and research

Scientific Diving 2010

3 weeks, 24 May - 11 June, 2010 - See the Scientific Diving 2009 course profile

Description: British Columbia’s marine sub-tidal environment is a fascinating ecosystem, rich in diversity and overflowing with opportunity for research. Yet the challenge of accessing this system is significant, and presents a barrier to many wishing to explore it. This course is designed as an introduction to the techniques and practical aspects of performing research underwater using SCUBA. The intensive practical component will give students the opportunity to try a diversity of sub-tidal research techniques including transects, point counts and quadrats for assessing fish and invertebrate abundance, biodiversity surveys, fish sizing and mapping. In addition, students will deal with the logistical challenges associated with managing a sub-tidal research project, including dive planning, team leadership, equipment management, hazard assessments and troubleshooting. Lectures will focus on providing theoretical background for the field techniques to be practiced, including discussion on designing effective surveys, dealing with logistics and safety and analyzing data. By the end of the course, students will have achieved their Canadian Association of Underwater Science level 1 diver qualification, which will allow them to dive with any other CAUS and AAUS member organization.

PREREQUISITES:

This course is intended for upper-level undergraduates and graduate students with an interest in sub-tidal ecology. A background in ecology and basic statistics is expected. As the focus of the course is on research techniques rather than learning to dive, participants are expected to have rescue diver qualification at minimum, and should have logged AT LEAST 12 dives in the past year.

Students must read the BMSC diver requirements (see BMSC's SCUBA diving pages) and are responsible for ensuring that all prerequisites (including copies of the following are included in your application:

a current first aid certificate
current BMSC diving medical
Rescue diver certification
diver clearance form
diving waiver
equipment checklist and annual service receipts

In addition, students are expected to study for the CAUS level 1 scientific diver exam prior to the course (a reading list and study materials will be provided to registered students), as the exam will be written in the first few days.

All divers will be required to pass the BMSC dive skills and rescue checkouts at the start of the course, prior to commencing scientific diving training.

Students must bring all their own dive equipment, though tanks will be provided.(applicants must contact the BMSC in advance).

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:

Mask, snorkel, fins
Exposure suit suitable for water 8C (dry suit strongly recommended)
Hood, boots, gloves
Weight system
Buoyancy compensator with low pressure inflator
Regulator
Alternate air source
Submersible pressure gauge
Underwater compass
Bottom timer (ie dive watch)
Primary dive light
Back up dive light
Dive knife
2x emergency signal device - one audible one visual
A small gear bag to keep personal gear organized on boats (a large mesh goody bag would suffice)
Logbook

Other:

DCIEM tables can be purchased through BMSC stores.
BMSC will provide full size underwater slates for use during the course.
BMSC will provide a course logbook in a standardized format.

INSTRUCTORS:

Dr. Isabelle Côté, SFU, Tom Bird, Siobhan Gray

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Contact

University Programs Coordinator:

(250) 728-3301 ext. 216

Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre
100 Pachena Rd, Bamfield, BC
Canada, V0R 1B0
Phone: (250) 728-3301
Fax: (250) 728-3452

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