Documentation Diver

WHY TAKE THIS COURSE?

One of GUE’s goals is to document the underwater environment and make the public aware of its beauty, variety, uniqueness, and the need to protect it.

Divers are natural ambassadors of the underwater world, and GUE’s Documentation Diver course is designed to introduce divers to the basics of documentation techniques, project organization, and logistics that are useful in general project-based diving.

WHO IS IT FOR?

Anyone who is interested in being able to contribute in an efficient manner to any underwater documentation project dives such as data collecting, survey, video, or photography will benefit from this course.

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

Course outcomes include, but are not limited to: basic training in photography/videography, the use of related equipment, specific team skills needed during documentation diving, specific communication requirements, establishment of clear objectives and work plans, management of team tasks, report creation, mapping, survey, and press release creation.

Applicants for a Documentation Diver program must:

  • Be a minimum of 16 years of age.
  • Be physically and mentally fit.
  • Be a non-smoker.
  • Be able to swim.
  • Obtain a physician’s prior written authorization for use of prescription drugs, except for birth control, or for any medical condition that may pose a risk while diving.
  • Have passed the GUE Recreational Diver Level 1 course or the GUE Fundamentals course.
  • Have a minimum of 75 logged dives beyond autonomous entry-level scuba diver (or equivalent) and 25 logged dives beyond GUE certification.

The Documentation Diver course is normally conducted over four days. It requires a minimum of six dives and at least 32 hours of instruction, encompassing classroom lectures, land drills, and in-water work.