The Spring Semester 2020 heralded in the first formal training session of the LUMCON Scientific Diving Network. Four participants from LSU met once a week from January through May to prepare for a summer research trip to the Florida Keys to study lionfish at Mote Marine Lab on Summerland Key.
The entire training was essentially a beta test to figure out what would work, and what needed to be modified. Classroom work, including DAN Diving First-aid for Professional Divers took place at the LUMCON DeFelice Marine Center. Pool work started at the Houma YMCA and finished up at the LSU Athletic Pool in Baton Rouge. Most diving activities were conducted from small vessels at LUMCON. But a weather front and time limits also necessitated a two day trip over to Florida to Vortex Springs and St. Andrews Park in Panama City.