Engaging recreational scuba divers in marine citizen science: Differences according to popularity of the diving area

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maibe Hermoso ◽  
Soledad Narváez ◽  
Martin Thiel
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Science ◽  
Scuba Divers ◽  
Recreational Scuba

scholarly journals Designing a Diving Protocol for Thermocline Identification Using Dive Computers in Marine Citizen Science

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 2315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salih Egi ◽  
Pierre-Yves Cousteau ◽  
Massimo Pieri ◽  
Carlo Cerrano ◽  
Tamer Özyigit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Science ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Temperature Changes ◽  
Scuba Divers ◽  
Science Projects ◽  
Specific Protocol ◽  
Accuracy And Precision ◽  
Different Temperatures ◽  
Central Database ◽  
Recreational Scuba

Dive computers have an important potential for citizen science projects where recreational SCUBA divers can upload the depth temperature profile and the geolocation of the dive to a central database which may provide useful information about the subsurface temperature of the oceans. However, their accuracy may not be adequate and needs to be evaluated. The aim of this study is to assess the accuracy and precision of dive computers and provide guidelines in order to enable their contribution to citizen science projects. Twenty-two dive computers were evaluated during real ocean dives for consistency and scatter in the first phase. In the second phase, the dive computers were immersed in sufficient depth to initiate the dive record inside a precisely controlled sea aquarium while using a calibrated device as a reference. Results indicate that the dive computers do not have the accuracy required for monitoring temperature changes in the oceans, however, they can be used to detect thermoclines if the users follow a specific protocol with specific dive computers. This study enabled the authors to define this protocol based on the results of immersion in two different sea aquarium tanks set to two different temperatures in order to simulate the conditions of a thermocline.

scholarly journals Ocean literacy and scientific data acquisition through citizen science campaigns: a mixed approach in the Maltese Islands to collect information on Pinna nobilis and Pinna rudis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
ALAN DEIDUN ◽  
MONICA PREVIATI ◽  
ALESSIO MARRONE ◽  
ADAM GAUCI ◽  
AUDREY ZAMMIT ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Science ◽  
Multiple Stressors ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Scientific Data ◽  
Underwater Visual Census ◽  
Ocean Literacy ◽  
Pinna Nobilis ◽  
Scuba Divers ◽  
Mixed Approach ◽  
Recreational Scuba

The genus Pinna includes two species in the Mediterranean Sea: Pinna nobilis and Pinna rudis. Both these species are under threat from multiple stressors. Pinna nobilis, in particular, has been exhibiting mass mortality events (MMEs) since 2016. The population and distribution of these species have never been comprehensively explored in the Maltese archipelago, and in this work, we collate information collected between 2006 and 2019 through a number of SCUBA underwater visual census monitoring programs. The logistical barriers surrounding SCUBA-based sampling techniques and the low-density distribution of these species constitute significant obstacles to  an extensive conventional population assessment. Citizen science was thus also deployed in this study to supplement the data collected through SCUBA surveys: recreational SCUBA divers worked as citizen scientists, providing data on the distribution of these two endangered species from areas never explored before. This information can be used for assessing the conservation status of P. nobilis and P. rudis in Maltese waters, whilst contributing to the next generation of ocean-literate citizens.

Microflora in External Auditory Canals of Recreational Scuba-Divers and Swimmers Related to the Tropical Waterflora of a Coral Island

1993 ◽  
Vol 27 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 187-193
Author(s):  
T. Haider ◽  
R. Sommer ◽  
G. Stanek
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
External Auditory Canal ◽  
Pathogenic Microorganisms ◽  
Lagoon Water ◽  
Scuba Divers ◽  
Tropical Coral ◽  
Coral Island ◽  
Recreational Scuba ◽  
The Tropics

Recent studies described the acute diffuse external otitis frequently observed in recreational scuba-divers and swimmers in the tropics. In this study the microflora of the external auditory canal of 90 persons was determined. Additionally, a group of 17 persons was examined before, during and at the end of a two weeks vacation on a tropical coral island as well as three months after. Further, samples from sea, lagoon water and the water supplies used for the showers were microbiologically examined. 14 different and fecultatively pathogenic microorganisms were isolated from the external auditory canals. We found a temporary colonization with those microorganisms during the two weeks. Above all Pseudomonas aeruginosa was predominant during and at the end of the vacation especially in children. Before the vacation and three months after P. aeruginosa could not be found. The samples of sea and lagoon waters did not seem to be noticeably polluted, whereas the samples of the water supply were extremely contaminated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It was concluded that besides indirect factors such as tropical climate and intensive exposition to water, the insufficient treatment of the water from the supply could also be a reason for the temporary microbiological colonization of the external auditory canal.

Decompression Sickness in Women Recreational Scuba Divers

1999 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-54
Author(s):  
Jacalyn J. Robert
Keyword(s):  
High Altitude ◽  
Decompression Sickness ◽  
Scuba Diving ◽  
Training Center ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Recreational Sport ◽  
Scuba Divers ◽  
Hyperbaric Environment ◽  
Recreational Scuba

Recreational sport diving is becoming an increasingly popular sport for women. Women now comprise approximately 25% of the diving community according to Divers Alert Network statistics. In the diving literature it has been stated that women are at a greater risk for decompression sickness than men. Most of these statements were derived from high-altitude (hypobaric environment) studies rather than from a scuba diving (hyperbaric) environment. Data from the naval diving and salvage training center were analyzed, and it was found that women are not more susceptible to decompression sickness than men during dives between 4 and 10 atmospheres. More specific studies on sport diving should be completed on factors contributing to underwater decompression sickness in both men and women.

scholarly journals Risk factors for cardiovascular disease among active adult US scuba divers

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (13) ◽  
pp. 1406-1408 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Buzzacott ◽  
Charles Edelson ◽  
Caslyn M Bennett ◽  
Petar J Denoble
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Status ◽  
High Body Mass Index ◽  
Behavioral Risk ◽  
High Cholesterol ◽  
Borderline Hypertension ◽  
Scuba Divers ◽  
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance ◽  
The Usa ◽  
System Data ◽  
Recreational Scuba

Cardiovascular factors among uninjured active adult recreational scuba divers in the USA are described. Scuba diving as an activity was included in 2011, 2013, and 2015 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data. One-third of active US scuba divers were aged ≥50 years and/or reported prior high cholesterol, around half were overweight, more than half reported having smoked cigarettes, and 32% reported hypertension or borderline hypertension. High cholesterol, hypertension, high body mass index, and smoking status should all be addressed during routine diving fitness physician assessments, to reduce the risk of mortality while diving.

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