Requirements:

Scuba Exploration Interest Project Award Created by Senior Troop 2954 from Centreville, VA

Skill Builders #1* & #2* are required before doing any other Skill Builder activity.

1 *Check Safety-Wise requirements for scuba diving. Because all activities are done in a swimming pool, check the requirements for swimming pools. Make sure the pool meets the requirements and all requirements for scuba are met and followed.

2 *Before meeting at the pool to do the swimming portion of this IPP, familiarize yourself with the scuba equipment. Know what the equipment is and how it is used.

3 Be able to do any three of the following: · Locate and read the submersible pressure gauge while underwater · Find the proper weight · Perform the pre-dive safety check · Clear a snorkel from water using the blast method and resume breathing without lifting your face from the water. · Completely remove and replace and clear the mask of water while underwater. · Remove weights at surface with minimal assistance using the weight system’s quick release mechanism.

4 Do any four of the following breathing exercises: · Learn the proper skill to breath properly · Inflate and deflate the BCD · Clear the regulator underwater · Using the purge button method, breath normally and clear a partially flooded mask · In shallow water, breathe underwater for at least 30 seconds using another air source provided by another diver · Swim a distance of at least 50 meters/yards at the surface while wearing scuba gear and breathing through a snorkel. · Breathe underwater for not less than one minute while not wearing a mask · Complete the following activities in shallow water: · Swim underwater with scuba equipment while maintaining control of direction and depth. · Properly equalize the ears and the mask to accumulate depth changes. · Demonstrate the techniques for a proper ascent

5 Complete two of the following swimming activities in deep water: · Demonstrate appropriate deep-water entries · Demonstrate a descent using appropriate five-step method · Remove the weights and scuba fins (if necessary) and exit using the most appropriate means · Orally inflate a BCD to at least half way full and the fully deflate

6 Be able to do the following signals:

· Signal for adequate or low air based on the gauge’s caution zone

· Recognize and demonstrate standard hand signals

· React to air depletion by giving out-of-air signals

7 Find out how to clean and maintain scuba equipment.

Technology

1 Watch a video about learning to dive. Make a list of new things you learned or write a brief summary of the video.

2 Look on the Internet to find popular places to scuba dive. Find out what type of fish and coral you may encounter while diving.

3 Visit a scuba shop to see the different equipment available to purchase. Compare prices, brands and features of scuba equipment.

4 Compare scuba equipment today to the first scuba equipment made.

Service Projects

1 Create a brochure of popular scuba diving sites or create a Rolodex of scuba diving reference books. Share your findings with you troop or other Girl Scouts.

2 Research environmental effects scuba diving has had on the environment and present it to your troop, service unit or classmates.

3 Participate in a service project cleaning up a beach or lake where people scuba dive.

4 Volunteer to clean scuba equipment for a scuba shop following a scuba certification class.

Career Exploration

1 Research possible careers in scuba diving. Find out what experience and certification is required for these careers.

2 Research the requirements to become PADI certified.

3 Invite a certified scuba diver to talk to your group or troop about scuba diving. Find out what type of certification he/she holds and the different scuba dives he/she has participated.

4 Read about a well-known scuba diver. Find out how the scuba diving changed over the course of their career. Find out what his/her greatest career accomplishment and failure.