Technical training of marine manpower: A course for underwater scientists

A five-week graduate-level program, designed to train marine scientists to do useful work and gather data underwater, is described and outlined. It includes academic coursework in marine biology, geology, oceanography, hyperbaric physics and physiology; as well as extensive practical training in the use of scuba, surface-air-supplied diving gear, biological and geological survey methods, underwater closed-circuit television and hyperbaric chamber operations. Emphasis is on the techniques of gathering accurate quantitative and qualitative data about the local marine biota and its environment, leading to proficiency in many other areas of underwater science. The philosophy behind, and the need for, such a course is discussed, and the topics covered are listed and annotated.