Volunteer Dive Program

Dear Potential Volunteer Diver:

Since you have expressed an interest in becoming involved in the New York Aquarium Volunteer Dive Program, I must explain first what it is not.  It is most definitely not a “Swim with the Dolphins” or “Swim with the Sharks” program.

The Volunteer Dive Program is open only to already certified SCUBA divers at least 21 years of age, with a minimum of 25 logged dives which includes at least 5 made in the last year.  If a certified diver has less than 25 logged dives, he or she can still become a Volunteer Dive Team Intern. Interns are newly certified divers, who were certified within the last 12 months prior to applying to this program, and as such, they must also show proof of having logged at least 5 dives within the last 12 months.  Interns receive on the job training while they are gaining the requisite experience needed to become full fledged members of the dive team.  Accepted divers will receive training and education about the mission and objectives of the Wildlife Conservation Society and more specifically, what it takes to work in an Aquarium environment as a keeper or trainer.  Diving is only a portion of the position.  The ultimate objective is to create underwater docents, who will interact with the public and teach them about our animals and their environs.

Generally, in this program, you, as an approved volunteer diver or intern, will receive training, which will educate you about the animals residing in our exhibit tanks, teach you a little about the history of the Aquarium, and explain what will be expected of you as the program begins.  Getting into the water is an accompanying step, and you will then begin to help our staff maintain the exhibit tanks and animal enclosures.  This is only the first real plateau in a program which will become an opportunity for you, as a diver, to contribute your skills to a major world-class aquarium.  You will eventually be teaching the public what you have learned about the aquatic environment, the creatures living there, as well as the workings and objectives of the Wildlife Conservation Society and other similar environmental learning institutions.

Orientation Meeting:  So that many of the administrative details can be covered in as short a time as possible, orientation meetings are being constantly scheduled.  You must attend only one such session.  Since occupancy is strictly limited, you must call (718) 265-4738 to indicate which orientation meeting you wish to attend.  When you call to reserve a place at the orientation meeting, please leave your name, phone number and e-mail address twice with the date of the meeting you wish to attend.  At the orientation meetings, we shall explain what we hope the program will become in the future.  The actual orientation meetings will take only about an hour, followed by a tour of the facility. Orientation meetings are held on the:

3rd Saturday of January, March, May, July, September and November, all meetings beginning promptly at 1:00 PM.

4th Sunday of February, April, June, August, October and the 3rd Sunday of December, all meetings beginning promptly at 1:00 PM.

Each of the following documents is critical to qualifying for the program.  No diver can be accepted for consideration without all of the following documents having been submitted, except that CPR, O2 Administration and First Aid Certification may be obtained within six months after acceptance into the program:

• Volunteer Diver Applicant Personal Information form
• Appendix B, Diving Medical (note bold type on Page B – 3), signed by an MD or DO. (Appendix 2 and 3 must be given to doctor before the examination and attached to the doctor’s report)
• Informed Consent, Waiver and Release
• Volunteer Dive Program Agreement
• Photocopy of highest level Dive Certification card
• Photocopy of CPR Certification card, if you are so certified
• Photocopy of O2 Administration Certification card, if you are so certified
• Photocopy of First Aid Certification card, if you are so certified
• Photocopy of last 25 dive log pages or all pages of Intern applicant divers.

Richard S. Blankfein
Volunteer Dive Program Coordinator
(718) 265-4738