Down where it’s wetter, students dive under the sea

Stephan Useche / Staff Writer

It isn’t just jumping in the water, “breathing bubbles” and looking at fish.

“It’s really the environmental appreciation and awareness,” said Robert Weisman, dive and boat safety officer.

The University gives scuba diving courses so students can witness the hidden activity in the ocean and learn to explore it.

During the 2 credits basic scuba diving course and corequisite 1 credit scuba diving lab, students learn all about the science and theory of diving, with an emphasis on environmental protection and awareness. Students also have an option of getting certified through the National Association of Underwater Instructors.

The classes are offered year-round, including a 12-week summer session. The class goes through the diving procedures slowly and gives room to practice different scenarios.

“There’s a lot of math in diving, believe it or not, because you go through the physical laws of pressure relationships and partial pressures — a lot of things people don’t realize,” Weisman said.

During the summer, the class runs at both campuses from May to August, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. The courses are also available for non-degree seeking  students and members of the community.

Each credit costs the same as a credit of a regular course. However, students seeking certification pay an additional $375 which includes the six dives necessary for the certificate, charter boat fees, equipment use, scuba license and the safety staff. The certification process is optional.

According to the Director of University College Jorge Zumaeta, who is currently taking the class, there’s a lot of material to cover, the most important being safety.

“We spend a few hours in the classroom learning how to use all the equipment, safety rules and regulations,” said senior Courtney Bleier, art education major. “From here, we go to the pool for actual water training.”

Having completed this course, students go on diving trips where they have the chance to practice all the material learned throughout the semester. Two of the trips are to the Keys and one is to Pompano Beach.

The University provides all the equipment needed for the students, so they can dive safely and adequately.

Next is the advanced scuba course, which according to Instructor Jose Cernuda, is when the actual fun starts.

“In the advanced course, you already know how to dive,” Cernuda said.

In this class, students want to go deeper and explore more.

One of the dives includes a beach dive in Hollywood Beach and a night dive, where they experience the marine life in a darker and more mysterious environment.

As explained by Weisman, it’s not a sport, it’s a science and an experience of going into the environment.

“Scuba diving is the tool for the research,” Weisman said.

The Scuba Dive Safety Program began in 1995, and it was officially recognized by NAUI and by the American Academy of Underwater Science in 1996. It is under the administration of Risk Management and Environmental Health and Safety Department with Weisman as the boat and dive safety officer.

“I am happy to say, that during a time of programs being cut, the FIU Scuba Program stays,” Weisman said.

The program is provides two educational developmental courses under the areas of underwater education and environmental awareness.

The Academic Dive Program has a majority of undergraduate students with a focus in underwater education. It is administered by a cooperative joining of the College of Education and the University College.

The Scientific Diving Program is made up primarily of research faculty and graduate students within the Biology Department, School of Environment Arts and Society and the Southeast Environmental Research Center. Supporting $11 million of research grants, scientific divers are conducting research worldwide, from Australia, lead by Director of SEAS Michael Heithaus, to the Florida Keys under the direction of James Fourqurean, professor in the department of biological sciences, and Deron Burkepile, assistant professor in the department of biological science.

Weisman and his assistant, Alex Carreno, carry the SDP out along with Environmental Health and Safety Director Roger Riddlemoser, who completes the administrative structure.

A Diving Control Board set procedures for the dive safety manual, which contains the basic regulations for safety in scientific diving operations and is based on the policies of AAUS. The DCB is chaired by James Fourqurean and made up of faculty and administrators, the majority being scientific divers.

Weisman is happy to say that after having certified over 1200 students, the program still has a record of zero incidents or accidents.

“You’re talking about something that could be potentially life threatening if you don’t know what you’re doing,” said Ady Orezzoli, underwater archaeologist. “It is important to take a program that’s thorough and that helps you understand diving.”

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