Reef Check EcoDiver

When you become a Reef Check EcoDiver you have the opportunity to express the scientist and the explorer in you! Start your path to participatory coral reef monitoring and take an active role in the conservation of your favorite coral reefs.

This 10-hour e-learning plus 4-day field training course is designed to teach you everything you need to know to conduct coral reef monitoring dives using the Reef Check protocol. In this program, you will learn all about the globally standardized Reef Check methodology. You will also learn to identify key indicator fish, invertebrates, and substrates selected by Reef Check for global monitoring and conservation of coral reefs. This course will allow you to join the Reef Check monitoring team at our Reef Check expeditions. You will be assisting scientists in evaluating coral reef health in Colombia and around the world.

Progression of Reef Check EcoDiver Program Reef Check Colombia

Theory component

There are five e-learning sessions where you learn about the fundamentals of coral reefs and coral reef monitoring. This includes their function and importance. You’ll then go on to learn about the driving forces behind the decline of coral reefs and what measures we take to halt this decline. Then, the course continues with an introduction to Reef Check and the Reef Check protocol for coral reef monitoring. This includes the tools, terminology, key concepts, and methods used in the field for monitoring the health of coral reefs with Reef Check. Next, you will learn to identify the indicator species used in your region to estimate coral reef health and the methods to survey them. This will allow you to get an in-depth view of fish, substrate, invertebrate, coral disease, and impact identification for monitoring.

E-Learning Ready

Start your training today! Complete and pass the knowledge component of our meaningful diving programs and get certified any time at a field program.

 

E-learning Only	Starts: Every two weeks Duration: 10 hours long, five 2-hour sessions Cost: $115
E-learning + Field Program	Starts: Every two weeks + dates of the field program Duration: 10 hours + duration of the field program Cost: $80 with any qualifying field program*

*E-learning must be completed and passed before joining a field program. Join a Reef Check field program of your choice as a Reef Check EcoDiver candidate. Includes a download of the following: Identification PowerPoint presentations, Data sheet templates, Instruction manual, Regional field guide,  Training video.  Upon completion of the EcoDiver course, a certification card will be issued if at least one of the three tests (Substrate, Invertebrates, Fish) is passed and a passport-style photo is provided to put on the card. Download information will be emailed to you by Reef Check Worldwide.

Fieldwork

You must complete and pass the knowledge (e-learning) component before starting any field program. At any qualifying field program, you will complete 5 open water sessions. You first will be taken snorkeling or diving to test your skills learned. You will start with a check-up session to test your swimming and or SCUBA diving skills. Next, your knowledge to identify and survey fishes, substrate categories (corals, sponges, algae, etc.), invertebrates, and coral diseases will be applied and tested in three separate open water sessions. Then, all knowledge and skills learned will be put into practice in your last dive where you will conduct a full Reef Check survey. Finally, you will experience capturing and interpreting the data on coral reef health collected by you and your team.

Requirements

You don´t need to be a certified scuba diver to take this e-learning course. You need to be 12 years old or older. If you only want to experience Reef Check you can start with the Discover Reef Check program. If you want to take the full certification option, you do need to be a certified scuba diver with over 30 logged dives.

Materials

E-learning only does not include materials nor certification. Reef Check EcoDiver Kit provided by the trainer as part of the field program.

Testing and Certification

There is a knowledge test you must pass with an 80% score.  This should be done before joining any field training program. The field training has a knowledge ID onsite test (80% to pass) and a field ID test (90%) to obtain regional certification. The certification qualifies you to participate in Reef Check surveys in the region and to submit their data to the global database. An optional certification card is available.

If you are already an EcoDiver and would like to transfer to a new region (e.g. Pacific to the Caribbean), you will need to pass the identification tests. The purchase of the EcoDiver materials for that region is also required. Please contact reefcheckco@coralesdepaz.org or ecodiver@reefcheck.org for details.

Check off the Join a Field Program tab to find a Reef Check expedition to get certified at your next diving destination! If you are already a Reef Check EcoDiver Diver and would like to apply your skills you can find other Reef Check expeditions to continue building your career in the Meaningful Diving Universe.

Check our Meaningful Diving Universe and discover more programs to gain the knowledge and skills to start helping build resilient coral reefs while diving.