DIVE LOG Australasia

Dive Safety Officer and my responsibilities were to ensure smooth diving logistics, safe equipment and dive plans and that all divers were suitably qualified and experienced to conduct the dives.”. Q: What have been the most satisfying experiences of your career as an educator? “I really loved working at Community College Dunedin as the manager of a college for youth who had learning abilities that were not compatible with mainstream schooling. Although some had been referred to as ‘slow’ or ‘bad’ learners, the reality was that they needed a different learning environment to enable them to feel capable, included, interested and accepted. We used project

Gearing up for the Lake Alta Ice Dive

“It was my ice diving experience, first aid skills and dive planning abilities that got me a berth on a scientific study investigating the effects of climate change in McMurdo Sound. Primarily, the study aimed to test whether sea ice microbial communities (SIMCO) are an important source of organic material supporting benthic communities in the Ross Sea and to resolve important sources of nutrient recycling in the system. The job utilised my experience in logistics (making sure the scientists and support team had the equipment and supplies required to keep them safe and productive in sub zero conditions), safety protocols (everything is harder in Antarctica due to its severe weather and remote location), first aid officer and dive supervisor responsibilities”. “We were diving in the NZ Antarctic region with crews from McMurdo Station and Scott Base to around 10-15m in minus 2 degree water under a 2m ice ceiling. One of my jobs was to collect invertebrates and get them to one of our team who was performing experiments in the wet lab right at Scott Base. We would also collect samples from above the ice, gathering seal scat and penguin guano (droppings) with the aim of evaluating how climate change was affecting the food web. It was a fascinating time, very physically challenging and a huge privilege”. Q: What are some of the most unusual assignments your skills have allowed you to work on? “Another unusual deployment my skills set enabled me to apply for was a scientific expedition to White Island (Whakaari), notorious for its violent volcanic eruptions causing shocking injuries and fatalities to tourists in 2019. We examined water around volcanic vents, taking samples and examining them in the lab on the research vessel. The scientific group from around the world worked on various projects including how animals can buffer (and survive) from increasing CO2 levels and sea temperatures. We were also collecting gas samples from the hydrothermal vents and invertebrate samples for the scientists aboard the research vessels. My role on this trip was

based learning to help students reach their goals and I found it a huge thrill to see them switch on, engage with the class and then take off with a newfound confidence, attitude, and purpose. It’s a lot like the buzz we instructors get when we see the switch from “I’m terrified of sharks” to “when will we actually see a shark?” – it’s that turning point that changes lives forever. Seeing those Rangatahi (young people) go on to thrive academically and gain employment is Gold, and it makes me very happy to know that I was part of their success”. Q: What’s the most exciting thing you’ve done in your diving career? “I love every dive I do, so it is hard to narrow it down to only one, but I remember an amazing dive at Cape Armitage, McMurdo Sound. As I dived through the 1m square dive hole attached to a tender line the visibility opens up to as far as you can see. At the bottom around 15m I can see giant sea stars and pinkish anemones, urchins and sea cucumbers. All of them are huge – like the land of the giants - Antarctic invertebrates exhibit gigantism. Then, in a flash, a Weddell seal flew past me and then circled around again! It was just a stunning experience from start to finish”. “I also had an opportunity early on in my career to be the safety diver for the filming of Mission Impossible two in Sydney. It was an amazing experience to see the scale of the film crew and the resources involved. I spent day after day in my drysuit fully geared up sitting on the side of the boat waiting for something to go wrong! In the breaks we would swim ashore and get a coffee or lunch with the rest of the crew and actors”. Q: What advice would you give a young person looking to pursue a career in diving? “I believe in doing more of what you love because that is what will keep you in a career – if you love the outdoors, ocean marine life then go for it. There will be days when it’s not easy and you will face challenges but it’s important to know that you

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DIVE LOG Australasia #408 - October ‘24