Recently, surface supply training classes were held for volunteers and staff, as surface supply is used in most of the tanks. The advantage to surface supply is the absence of a large tank which would hinder movement in exhibits and small areas where work may be necessary. Each class lasted two days, consisting of both classroom work along with actual surface supply diving to practice the skills taught.
After the construction was completed on our beluga exhibit, the removal of debris was our next task. All of the larger rocks from the reformation of the rock walls were gathered into a pile on one side of the exhibit. It was our job to remove them.
While the belugas were on hiatus during our heavy construction months, we took the time to make some adjustments to their habitat. The goal was to lower sections of the rock walls on the sides of the exhibit so the beluga trainers can stand in the water and be closer to the animals.
Rescue Diver is a valuable certification level for any diver. Being familiar with steps to take in an emergency situation can make all the difference when an incident occurs. Whether it is how to get an unconscious diver from the bottom to the surface or how to deal with puncture wounds, the rescue diving course is an invaluable class. 
In the interest of maintaining our diving proficiency and technical capabilities, we went to Florida to dive their underwater cave system. Cave diving is one of the most challenging fields of diving.
Dr. Pyle came to the Georgia Aquarium to speak with us about a new rebreather he and Poseidon are developing. Currently, rebreathers are primarily used by technical divers. However, the rebreather that Dr. Pyle presented was created for recreational diving as it is "user friendly". In other words, non-technical divers with less expertise of rebreathers can use the same technology that technical divers have been using in the past. 
The Georgia Aquarium Dive Operations Team was called upon for a working dive. This time the objective was to remove the leftover carbon from the Ozone contact towers of an exhibit. 
Part of dive operations is training our staff and volunteer divers. We conducted a drysuit course over a 3 day period that was both interesting and entertaining. Adding a drysuit to one's list of equipment can be taskloading, especially without the proper training. There are now two bodies of air to control, not to mention keeping the air out of one's feet so a blow up doesn't occur. Our last day of class was a dive in Lake Lanier that went very well, aside from the vis being so low. Overall this was a very successful course.
The Georgia Aquarium dive team has a joint project out of Savannah, Georgia with NOAA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in an effort to eradicate the non-native lionfish. Lionfish species (specifically the species Pterois volitans and to an extent Pterois miles) have invaded the Atlantic coasts of both the US and Central America. 
