Attention: Dive Industry Colleagues
Date: July 14, 2010
Re: Oil Spill Update - How to Help Now
WHAT CAN DIVERS AND DIVE INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS DO NOW TO HELP PROTECT THEIR DIVE SITES AND ASSIST IN THE CLEAN UP?
DiveCenters and vessel operations can remain active during this terrible tragedy and can keep their customers and friends involved to protect dive sites and help assess the potential for damage. Here are a few suggestions that may help when reaching out to your diving contacts:
Before the Oil Reaches Local Dive Sites
Divers should get involved in cleaning their areas NOW before any oil from the spill reaches nearby dive sites. Trash and obstacles in the water only serve to act as "collectors" for oil and will cause it to aggregate there, making the cleanup even more difficult. Get in touch with organizations such as Project AWARE Foundation (
www.ProjectAWARE.org) for guidelines and help in setting up these cleanup and marine debris removal activities.
Divers interested in conducting a beach or bottom cleanup should contact their local retail dive center to help organize and reach the local diving audience. Divers can also find their closest retail dive center by visiting
www.BeADiver.com and clicking on the "Learn To Dive Locally" button.
Get in touch with organizations such as the Reef Environmental Education Foundation (
www.reef.org) to help determine the baseline count of fish in the local area, and consider conducting a baseline fish count in the area if none currently exist. Doing this prior to the arrival of the oil can help in assessing any damage done to the area once the oil has been cleared.
Divers interested in volunteering for clean up efforts should learn how to protect themselves from the oil first by becoming educated in working with hazardous materials. Hazmat training information is available through the following organizations:
NOAA Hazardous Materials and Assessment Division
7600 Sand Point Way, NE
Seattle, WA 98115
(206) 526-6943
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory
1 Sabine Island
Gulf Breeze, FL 32561
(850) 934-9395
After the Oil Reaches a Local Dive Site
Go to your local dive retailer to see what kind of local activities are taking place and volunteer to help. This could include cleanup activities or others that are being conducted offsite, once the oil has been cleared. Find your local dealer on
www.BeADiver.com by clicking on the "Learn To Dive Locally" button.
Do not dive in or near contaminated areas; diving should be done only by professionals with the appropriate training, skills and equipment for diving in contaminated water.
If you inadvertently come into contact with the contaminants, rinse off immediately. If available, use a household detergent such as dish soap and warm water. Should any symptoms develop, especially skin manifestations or respiratory issues, seek immediate medical attention for evaluation and appropriate treatment.
Industry Involvement
Operators along the Gulf Coast should post their diving conditions daily on
www.GulfStateDiving.com so that divers from around the US and the world can see conditions in the areas they are considering for local diving or dive travel.
For more information on the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill including claims information, go to
www.dema.org. To track the oil spill, including fishery closures,
click here.
To post information about your Gulf Coast diving operation and conditions, click on
www.GulfStateDiving.com.
