Lionfish Awareness Diver

Description

The Lionfish Awareness Diver has a vested interest in learning about the effects of Lionfish in the Atlantic Ocean. Many divers are not aware of the different types of Lionfish, and their behavior, which effects our local reefs. This specialty is designed to increase the open water diver’s understanding and teach divers how to help eradicate lionfish from our reefs. This course is designed to help protect our ecosystem and how each diver can play a role.

Cost of course includes: class time with instructor(s); two open water dives; registration and certification card upon successful completion. Air fills, including Nitrox, and equipment rentals, are not organically included.

Student Prerequisites

1. SDI Open Water Scuba Diver, SDI Junior Open Water Scuba Diver, or equivalent
2. Minimum age 18, 12 with parental consent

Open Water Execution

1. Two dives are required with complete briefs and debriefs by the instructor
2. Dive plan must include surface interval, maximum no-decompression time, etc. to be figured out and logged

Instructors may use the prescribed course materials and may add any additional text or materials that they feel help present these topics or country location. The following topics must be covered:

1. General information about Lionfish
2. Their natural habit
3. Lionfish as Predators
4. Lionfish Predators
5. Damage in the Atlantic
6. Behavior
7. Catching
8. Dinner

Students are required to successfully complete the following:

1. Review site briefing
2. Discuss dive plan
3. Present good buoyance skills, on dive 1
4. Identify & record behaviors observed in water
5. Attempt to eradicate –proper removal or return to boat with fish.
6. Make general observations
7. Site Debrief
8. Log Dive