DIVING WITH A PURPOSE VIII

May 6 - May 12, 2012

BISCAYNE NATIONAL PARK, FLORIDA
PROGRAM CONTACT: KEN STEWART (615) 730-4906
Website: www.divingwithapurpose.org

In 2012, the VIII annual Diving With a Purpose (DWP) archaeology program is scheduled for one week, starting Sunday, May 6 – Saturday, May 12, 2012. In the past, DWP began a waiting list within two weeks after each annual announcement. Please do not wait to register. This can be a very rewarding week for those of you who sign up, but before you do please read Erik Denson’s attached summary of 2005’s fulfilling experience for an idea of what to expect. Upon completion of the course, you will have achieved the basic requirements for u/w archaeology and receive a certificate and c-card verifying such. Additionally, if you want to participate on an on-going basis, you won’t have to repeat the required basic intro course taught on the first day. DWP is now a PADI specialty certification!!! Upon successful completion of DWP you can receive a PADI specialty C-card (Archeology Survey Diver).

New For 2012!: We will be documenting new wreck sites in the north section of the park! These sites are further out, making it a full day of exploration.

The mission of Diving With a Purpose goes beyond underwater Archeology education. We will always look for ways to challenge your interest and broaden your knowledge related to this vast aquatic environment. It offers unlimited challenges to the inquisitive mind. We want to make possible increased exposure, heightened awareness, and honed skills for various modes of recreational and specialty scuba diving. . . Safely.

DWP Archeology Program = Includes 3 days of academics covering u/w skills, lessons & activities; land and u/w supplies for various archeological tasks and results, 3 days of structured diving plus tanks & weight.

WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO:

ELIGIBILITY & WHAT YOU NEED

EXPENSES:

New DWP Participants $370.00 (includes Sailing Ship Artifacts Guide, DWP Manual & Instructional DVD) Returning DWP Participants & Instructor Candidates - $250, Instructors - $175, PADI C-Card - $50. DWP Archeology Program = Includes 2 days of academics covering u/w skills, lessons & activities; land and u/w supplies for various archeological tasks and results, 3 days of structured diving plus tanks & weight.

HOTEL ACCOMODATIONS/EXCLUSIONS

We have a block of rooms with Travelodge at 409 SE 1st Ave & US Hwy. 1 in Florida City. The rate is $53.99/per night plus tax. Once you have been accepted into the program, please make your own reservations toll free at 1-800- 758-0618. The reserved block is under “Diving With a Purpose” and expires March 31st. Exclusions include: Additional dive equipment, room and board, auto rental (if nec.), round-trip airfare. Of course you are welcome to stay at any hotel of choice.

We will accept 19 applicants for each session. However, registration consists of completing the application and returning it with the course fee. This will be based on a first- come, first-serve basis. The DWP fee is due in full with the completed DWP VIII Registration form and a copy of your c-card. There will be no changes. Refunds are available ONLY when you have a TIMELY replacement. We are paying (in advance) for 19 seats on the boat.

TYPICAL AGENDA

Sunday

• Check-In
• Instructor & Instructor Candidate Meeting {5pm}
• DWP Meet and Greet Travelodge 7pm {everyone}

Monday

(Not Required for Returning Participants, Except Instructor Candidates)

• Introductions & Biscayne National Park Overview
• Importance of preservation and documentation of the wreck sites
• Shipwreck Artifacts & Maritime History
• Land Instruction:
  • Wreck Site Overview
  • DWP Overview & Equipment Description
  • Mock Wreck Site Instruction – Advocates, Instructors & Candidates
  • Establishing Baseline
  • Identification of Points of Interest
  • Trilateration Mapping
  • In-Situ Drawing
  • Team Instruction (Separate into Groups) – Instructor & Candidates

Tuesday

• Site Dive:
  • Assign sections of the wreck to each team.
  • Teams survey site.
  • Teams identify points of interest in their sections. Hand wave to clear site and place pin flags.
  • Trilateration mapping of team’s section.
  • Individual In-Situ Drawings

Wednesday

• Site Dive:
  • Continue Trilateration mapping of team’s section if necessary.
  • Individual In-Situ Drawings

Thursday

• Site Composite Drawing (Biscayne National Park):
  • Review Team drawings (Instructors & Candidates)
  • Plot Baseline and pin flags on composite drawing
  • Draw Individual In-Situ Drawings on composite drawing

Friday

• Site Dive: Individual In-Situ Drawings

Saturday

Half Day

• Site Composite Drawing (Biscayne National Park), Half Day:
  • Continue - Plot Baseline and pin flags on composite drawing
  • Continue Draw Individual In-Situ Drawings on comp

All new and returning DWP instructors must apply to become an instructor for DWP VIII. Instructors will be notified by DWP administration upon their selection. A maximum of 4 instructors and 4 instructor candidates (in addition to lead instructors) will be selected per session depending on advocate students attending. Previous instructors can participate in the program as non-instructors.

Eligibility:

• Experienced Diver
• Demonstrate good diving skills - Peak Bouyancy!
• New Instructor Candidates – Participated in at least two DWP sessions.
• Demonstrate leadership skills and ability to work with teams

Download the DWP Form here.

DIVING WITH A PURPOSE TESTAMENT !!!!

By Erik Denson - NABS #254
DIVERSe Orlando

Just like many veteran divers, there comes a time when we look for more. I have been diving for 13+ years now. Diving With a Purpose (DWP) offers a new adventure and a different challenge for veteran divers, underwater archeology. Archeology received fame with Raiders of Lost Ark. That was mostly glamour. Archeology is a precise science that requires painstaking patience and precision. The DWP course is an intense week long program that teaches you the basics of underwater archeology. This includes underwater mapping and trilateration. Trilateration is the method archeologist use to map and measure the various sections of the wreck. During the course, you can spend up to a 1 ! hours surveying a 6’x 6’ section of a site, not moving from that area. This includes fanning the sea floor to expose the wreck and documenting the site using a ruler, pencil and slate with Mylar paper. This type of diving is not for everyone. It takes diligence and concentration. Being an engineer, this type of work came naturally. However, the work is very rewarding knowing that you are responsible for preservation and cataloging history. I had no idea that this would be one of the most rewarding dive trips for me. As a diver we should always look for ways to increase our knowledge and thirst for the sport through advance training and specialty diving as “Diving With A Purpose” offers