Learning as a volunteer?

[EBH]

About a year ago I learned to dive and I have about 25 logged dives, all done back then. I'm currently studying geography, but I'm considering to either change subject or just include a little more biology/oceanography. Anyway, I'd love to spend my summer holiday volunteering with one of the organizations working with reef conservation. So my questions are, do you think this is a good way to get some hands on experience and learn or would you recommend something else? I've noticed there's often researchers looking for help, would this be better? -Or maybe just as good but cheaper?

Any thoughts from people who have been on these projects or volunteered elsewhere are much appreciated!

As for the organizations, I've looked at ccc, opwall and blue ventures. Any others I should consider?

Thanks,
EBH

 

[andrewharvey]

Hi EBH,

To answer the conservation organisation/ researcher question, this depends on where you want to go with this and what contacts you have. Working with a professional researcher would definately be great experience, but competition for these opportunities is high. Many of the better conservation organisations also have researchers who run specific projects or investigations, and this can be a good way of getting a foot in the door. Have a look at Reef Doctor in Madagascar, they are doing some very good work.

Good luck!

 

[keezdiver]

another issue to consider when talking about volunteering with a researcher or group is the liability they take on.

many organizations have minimum experience requirements, dive tests, medical exams, AAUS certification, CPR/First aid training etc....

i worked at a summer camp that caters to marine science. tons of time diving and snorkeling on the south florida reefs, time spent wading in the shallows and exploring the tropical island environment.
great experience leading groups, planning events, teaching, diving, and boat handling. and they give you cpr/first aid and lifeguarding certifications. all while being housed, feed and paid (not much )

Welcome to Seacamp.org located in the beautiful Florida Keys

 

[marku]

I've heard some researchers say that some data gathered by semi-trained personnel are kinda dubious and shouldn't be cited as reference. Just make sure the outfit you're hooking up with provides you with sufficient training before they send you out.

But yeah, volunteering gives you the chance to hone your diving skills and learn lots of new stuff, so goodluck!

 

[covediver]

I did learn as a volunteer. You do learn a lot. It also led to a job where diving was part of what I did, although not a major part.

The organization and the project leader make a big difference in training and structuring the data collection as does the level of professionalism and commitment you bring to the table. Before you volunteer, ask about the data collection and recording protocol and what training, if any, you will need or receive before collecting data. If the response to either of these is "none", chance are you stumbled into a place that wants to sell dive vacations under the guise of research.

If you are reliable and rigorous in your data collection, any good researcher should accept you as part of the team. I suspect the researchers that Marku talked to had data collectors who were not.

 

[Utila_ecology]

The Utila Centre for Marine Ecology in the Bay Islands, Honduras, has volunteers working alongside research scientists and conservation specialists on several aspects of marine ecology. Current research areas are reef health, fisheries management, mega fauna surveys and terrestrial ecology. The results are used to inform conservation and sustainablity issues at community and government level. Check out Utila Centre for Marine Ecology

 

[beachluvrr]

In 2007 my friends and I were offered an excellent learning experience provided by the G.R.E.A.T. program (Gang Resistance Education And Training). The philosphy of G.R.E.A.T is to keep kids off the streets and engage them into activities such as SCUBA diving. So for three months we had worked hard on studying, researching, and understanding the basics of SCUBA. Finally in the summer of 07 we began to train. Together the 17 of us went through one week of in class/pool training. Then for the second week my group dove in many various locations around Florida. Our first dive was just a simple beach dive. The following day we had quiet a bit of a challenge. WE took our first giant stride into the water. It was nerve racking at first but gradually we adjusted to our surroundings. For our 3rd dive we preform a cavern dive reaching a maximum depth of 60 feet. There were so many interesting fish and crabs. For our last dive, we dove in a place that not many people get to experience. At Epcot in Disney World Orlando, we had the lucky chance to dive in there tank. Every since then I've become facinated in the different species of fish and marine lifeforms. In order to learn more and be able to experience more, I took Advanced Open Water classes. Now I plan to go into a career in Marine Biology and I hope to start working on my future as soon as possible. I have been recently informed that when I attend the high school next year I am eligable for the Enviormental Sciences Academy, but that doesn't begin til 10th grade. And I had plan to go to Sea Camp(s), but prices range from $3,000-$5,000. Unforunately my parents nor myself have the money for Sea Camp and/or Summer SCUBA Programs.

So please can someone tell me something that I can do over the summer to begin learning about Oceanography and/or Marine Biology?
I have my Jr. Advanced Open Water certification and I am working on the in class training of a Rescue Diver. I am also in the process of CPR certification and I plan on taking Enviormental Identification. So please if you know of a job or someone who knows of a job please contact me.

Thank you,
Michelle