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OVERVIEW This course is to expose the diver to the
physical and biological aspects of the diving environment with emphasis on
the local area. This course will draw much of the subject material from
related sciences, e.g., oceanography, limnology, geology, biology and
ecology. The use of movies, slides and handouts are an important part of
this course. Trips to aquariums and oceanariums will be most helpful.
Effort should be made to expose the student divers to several diving
environments, e.g., lake vs. ocean, rocky reef vs. sand beach. (May be for
skin or scuba divers.)
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
Subjects to be covered are as follows:
- Plant and animal life - identification, relationships, dangers, regulations, uses -
food collections and aquaria.
- Conservation and pollution - problem areas and possible solutions.
- Water movement and
characteristics - tides, currents, waves
and surf, temperature, pressure, density, buoyancy, visibility and
sound.
- Shore, bottom and surface
conditions - features, hazards, natural
aids to navigation and wind effects.
- Diving locations - sources of information, use of charts, arranging and
planning of dives.
PREREQUISITES FOR ENTERING THE COURSE
- Age. Minimum is 15 years. (Junior certification for ages 12 - 14
years is allowed. See “Policies Applying to All Courses”: Age, Junior
Certification.”)
- Certification:
NAUI Scuba Diver certification or the equivalent is
required. The instructor is to ensure adequate student knowledge and
capability before any open water training and shall use skill or other
evaluations to do so.
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