SCUBA students to perform first ever underwater environmental assessment of Quadra Island landmark

Campbell River’s DiveSafe International is giving students of its newest dive program a truly unprecedented opportunity – the chance to perform the first ever underwater environmental survey of a legendary local dive site.

“This particular dive site, the old Quadra Island ferry dock, is almost tailor-made for training students in performing dive surveys and biological assessments,” says Kelly Korol, DiveSafe International’s Director of Training. “It’s a cornucopia of aquatic life – the seafloor is littered with old stumps and antique glass bottles from its former ferry days, which provide ideal habitats for small fish, crabs and marine life. It’ll be incredible to catalogue all this for the first time!”

Students of DiveSafe International’s Professional SCUBA program, which begins this summer, will learn how to perform underwater mapping, identify marine life, study sedimentation and evaluate the marine habitat of the Quadra Island site. They’ll also explore habitat compensation strategies such as planting eel-grass beds, transplanting marine life and building thriving artificial reefs.

“We’re so excited to offer this as part of the Professional SCUBA program,” says Korol. “Performing this landmark dive survey at the old ferry dock is going to give our students a major leg-up toward snagging those highly coveted careers in occupational diving, aquaculture and marine biology.”

While this will be the first underwater assessment of the old Quadra Island ferry dock, DiveSafe International’s Professional SCUBA program is itself a major “first.” It’s the first hybrid program in Canada designed to give students both PADI Divemaster and CSA Commercial SCUBA certifications, as well as a number of advanced speciality diving and underwater rescue courses. The program starts on July 16th

One of Canada’s leading dive training schools, DiveSafe International has offered professional diving instruction out of Campbell River since 2002. Students learn directly from world-class instructors while immersed in local waters renowned for their diving. (SCUBA Diving Magazine recently ranked B.C.’s pristine diving conditions as the best in North America.)

“The goal is to prepare our grads with everything they need to succeed,” says DiveSafe instructor and renowned international diver Heather Kidd. “They’ll get comprehensive theory and hands-on training, plus practical experience, industry connections and even work placements – be they local or international.”

The 13-week Professional SCUBA dual certification program is offered full-time in Campbell River and is eligible for E.I. and student loan funding. To learn more or to register, visit www.divesafe.com or call 250-287-3837.