Seasearch Observer Course

Calling all scuba divers and snorkellers this is a great opportunity to train as a seasearcher!

Seasearch is a national project which trains divers, freedivers and snorkellers to record the wildlife they see on their dives. It gives additional purpose to your diving and is great fun as well as providing vital information for our conservation work.

This course is aimed at giving divers new to the project an introduction to the Seasearch programme. It is suitable for all divers including those who are already good at marine species Id and for those who are total beginners at marine id. At the end of the course you will be able to complete the Seasearch Observation Form to a level suitable to make the information you record really count, and take part in Seasearch dives, either on your own, with your club or on dives organised by Seasearch partners.

Cost - £70per person, which includes a copy of the Seasearch Guide to marine life (rrp £19.95) and a course pack.

The course will be taught by Marine Biologists and Seasearch tutors Matt Slater, Caz Waddell, and Mary Ledlie.

There is an element of marine species ID training but due to time constraints it's more of an introduction- you learn this sort of thing gradually which is why we recommend the Seasearch Divers guide to marine life of Britain and Ireland - This is included in the cost of participation.

Seasearch is always great fun, a great way to meet like minded people, a great way to improve your knowledge and many of our divers become addicted to seasearching! Once qualified you are able to join dives all around the UK and the experience really helps if you are looking at developing a career in marine conservation or underwater photography.

The Course consists of a day in the classroom - at Shortlanesend village Hall followed by a day of shore diving/snorkelling on either the north or south Cornish coast (depends on weather conditions).

To take part in the dives you will need to bring your own equipment.

To dive with us you will need to meet the following requirements:

You must;

• Be aged 18 or over
• Be a trained diver qualified to the level of BSAC Sports diver, PADI Rescue diver or equivalent.
• Have recent experience of cold water diving including a minimum of 20 logged dives, 10 of which should be in the UK and 2 of which should be within the last 6 months.
• Have your own dive gear or able to rent dive gear which must be serviceable and within test date
• Have a current diving medical or self-certification declaration
• Have third party liability diving insurance.
• Be fit on the day and fully able to participate

We reserve the right to refuse participation if you don't meet these requirements. We can easily arrange a refund for you.

To take part as a snorkeller or freediver you have to be experienced at UK snorkelling, have all your own kit including a 5mm wetsuit hood boots and gloves, be used to using fins and a mask and snorkel (full face masks not allowed sorry). You have to be confident and safe in the water and able to swim at least 200m in fins in open water.

If you aren't suitably qualified but you are working towards a qualification we may still be able to offer you a space on the course -please email for more info

Any questions? - please contact Matt Slater; seasearch@cornwallwidllifetrust.org.uk

01872 302251

Find out more about Seasearch at http://www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/seasearch

and www.seasearch.org