Tank diving

[jugglepeng1]

Does any one know what kind of diving experience I would need to be a volunteer diver at the Shed Aquarium in Chicago Illinois.

 

[Captain CaveMan]

that would be sweet. im going to check that out

 

[Greg D.]

I've heard of aquariums doeing things like this, I think you probably need a certian amount of dives, prove you knows yer stuff. Have good bouyancy. I think you dive their gear, to keep from bringing in any contaminates. Not sure if there is anything else you need. other than a camera

 

[diversteve]

Does any one know what kind of diving experience I would need to be a volunteer diver at the Shed Aquarium in Chicago Illinois.

Found this on their website under Careers and Volunteer positions.

http://www.sheddaquarium.org/oppmmdiver.html

P.S. it's Shedd with 2 d's.

 

[meekal]

I think you dive their gear, to keep from bringing in any contaminates. Not sure if there is anything else you need. other than a camera

yep... it's ALL their gear (except for mask) because of, like you said, the contaminates. which includes NO camera's - sorry. heck, they won't even let you go from 1 tank to another tank in the same gear (ie: from the reef tank to the shark tank) unless the gear has been properly treated in a disinfectant.

i don't know the rules at SHEDD, but i do volunteer at the www.flaquarium.org down here in Tampa and it's a total blast. there is NOTHING like getting a mini-vacation Caribbean diving style every week. throw in a 'tour of duty' in the shark tank every once in a while and you got yourself 1 happy camper!

but alas they do expect you to work... they've had some folks that just want to come in futze around and look at all the pretty fishees and such, but the aquarium puts in a lot of resources to keep the volunteer program going and there IS plenty of work to be done underwater. it's not really glamorous; mostly scrubbing algae and such but it IS a never ending job - and very gratifying - nothing like walking by the exhibit and knowing that that (artificial) coral head looks so dang good! there's also plenty of opportunity to do the dive shows and collection trips and other perks like that.

jump in - you'll love it!

 

[jugglepeng1]

thanks for all of the info

 

[DementialFaith]

I volunteered at the Long Beach(CA) Aquarium of the Pacific. Like many aquaria, the place is closed circuit, so the only personal gears allowed are masks and wetsuits, eventhough they still offer those in some sizes(not mine).

For volunteering, we basically clean tanks and feed the fish, which range from Huge tanks Giant Black Sea Bass that weigh hundreds and leopard sharks over four feet in length to tropical tanks with more fish than the amount of bikes stolen in UCSB each year. Plus once you've been there fo a while you can enroll to become speakers that interact with the guests of the aquarium.