Pro Dive Conducts 1st Reef Check Survey

By Reef Check EcoDiver Trainer Brendal Davis

On June 27 Pro Dive, based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, conducted its first annual Reef Check survey, becoming the first Reef Check Facility on the US East Coast to promote a hands-on research program.

In 2009, Pro Dive International, a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Dive Resort, incorporated the Reef Check EcoDiver certification into its career development program. The Reef Check EcoDiver Course Director training in Pro Dive’s proprietary Resort Operations Specialist (ROS) program has been conducted by Dr. Alex Brylske, Reef Check Course Director, ROS developer, and Senior Editor of Dive Training Magazine.

Pro Dive’s survey day began with a morning Discover Reef Check class with three students and two instructors. In the afternoon all were aboard Pro Dive’s 60’ vessel, the Pro Diver II, for the actual survey, conducted at Mackay’s Reef, named in honor of Pro Dive’s late founders, Greg and Loren Mackay.  Dives were made with OTS full-facemasks with communications, allowing the instructional staff to communicate directly with the students.  Divers of all levels can participate in Reef Check programs – Pro Dive’s three students included two Advanced Open Water divers and one Pro Dive instructor-alumnus.  Future programs are planned to include the Reef Check EcoDiver course with a 2-3 day survey program, as well as the remaining five ROS courses for 2009.

For more information, please visit www.prodiveusa.com.

Pro Dive will be offering a Reef Check EcoDiver course from August 14-16.