Exploring Our Fluid Earth

Materials

• Computer with Internet access
• Reference materials about dive plans, dive sites, and conditions (e.g., local dive guidebooks and trusted Internet websites)
• Underwater video footage of dive site (optional)
• Underwater mapping program such as Google SeaView (optional)
• Dive table (optional)

Procedures

1. Find a dive site.
   
   1. Use trusted resources to find a dive site appropriate for recreational scuba diving. The dive can take place at either a well-known dive site or a site that has never before been explored.
       
2. Answer the following questions before continuing:
   
   1. Where is your dive site located?
   2. How will you reach your dive site?
   3. What is the depth of your dive site?
   4. When will you travel to your dive site?
   5. What technology will you use to access your dive site?
       
3. Draw a map of the dive site. If available, use aerial photographs from Google Earth or Google Maps.
   
   1. Label the cardinal compass directions
   2. Label the coastal features (e.g., sandy beach, sharp rocks, kelp forest, coral reef)
   3. Label prominent landmarks visible from the ocean (e.g., lighthouse, cell phone tower, mountain peak)
       
4. Ocean safety
   
   1. Use available resources to identify hazardous areas or conditions within your dive site (e.g., boat traffic, fishing lines, riptides, seasonal ocean conditions, weather).
   2. How will you address each of these hazards?
       
5. Write an equipment list for the trip (include things like diving technology, and safety equipment).
    
6. In a brief paragraph, write your detailed dive plan. Be sure to include the following:
   
   1. dive trip goals
   2. event timeline
   3. emergency action plan(s)
       
7. On your map, draw the path of the dive. Include depths throughout the dive.
    
8. Research and create a list of the types of substrate that you would expect to see on your dive. If possible, add this information to your map.
    
9. Research and create a list of the types of organisms that you would expect to see on your dive.
    
10. (Optional) Use underwater video footage or an underwater mapping program to conduct a virtual dive.
     
11. (Optional) Examine a dive table. How long could you spend exploring the bottom on your dive?