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The 3R's (Rocks,
Rips and Reefs)
is an entire
series of
courses designed
to safely
introduce divers
to popular,
local dive
sites.
Conducted by
certified Los
Angeles County
Scuba
Instructors, the
Rocks,
Rips and Reefs
course includes
a short
educational
seminar covering
safe beach
diving skills,
certain aspects
of the local
marine
environment, and
other valuable,
site-specific
information.
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Topics
and skills
covered in the
course include: |
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Choosing appropriate entry and exit points, and safe entry and exit skills |
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Identifying, anticipating and navigating hidden obstacles in the surf zone |
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How to use the ocean's natural wave motion to your advantage |
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How to plan your dive by reading the ocean's surface and using tide tables |
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How to find interesting stuff at each location |
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Conditions
permitting, the
seminar is
followed by an
in-water
demonstration
and practice
session that
includes a skin
diving tour of
the actual dive
site.
Participants are
required to wear
a full wetsuit,
mask, snorkel,
and fins (refer
to "What do I
Need to Bring"
below). A weight
belt with no
more than half
the normal
diving weight is
optional; if
used, please
bring a
snorkeling vest
or BC. Tanks and
regulators are
not allowed
during the
program, but may
be brought along
if you plan to
make a dive
after the class
is over.
After completing
the in-water
practice, we
finish the
session with a
noon time
get-together and
social, so bring
along a picnic
lunch and plan
on socializing
afterwards.
SCUBA
certification is
not required in
order to
participate in
3R’s courses!
New divers
welcomed! |
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Our goal is to
support you in
becoming a
better, safer
diver through
education. This
includes
teaching the
dive community
about beach
diving
conditions such
as:
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Identifying, anticipating and navigating hidden obstacles in the surf zone |
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How to use the ocean's natural wave motion to your advantage and conserve energy |
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Using tide tables to plan your dive |
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How to pick a dive site and plan your dive day there |
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Choosing an appropriate entry and exit point |
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How to find cool stuff at a dive location such as marine life |
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Most of all: PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE |
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Anyone who is
interested in
California’s
local beaches is
welcome to
attend the
lecture portion
of the program.
If you plan to
participate in
the in-water
activities, you
should have good
physical health
and condition.
To participate
in the in-water
activities,
minors must be
10 years or
older and must
be accompanied
by their parent
or legal
guardian. An
exception is for
organized youth
groups (such as
the Boy Scouts
of America) -
such groups must
contact the
Underwater Unit
of the Los
Angeles County
Department of
Parks and
Recreation at
least three
weeks in advance
of the event for
instructions and
forms.
Los
Angeles County
Department of
Parks and
Recreation
360 W. El
Segundo Blvd.
Los Angeles , CA
90061
Attn: Underwater
Unit
(310) 965-8258
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Full Skin Gear
(FSG) for 3R's.
Full Skin Gear
is full wetsuit,
mask, fins, and
a snorkel. We
highly recommend
sturdy booties
with open heel
fins to provide
foot protection.
A hood and
gloves are also
recommended for
comfort and
safety.
If you desire to
wear a weight
belt for
practicing skin
diving, you need
to wear a
snorkeling vest
of buoyancy
compensator and
wear only half
the weight you
would normally
wear for scuba
diving. Don't
forget to bring
sunscreen and
other exposure
protection
(depending on
the day) as well
as drinking
water to
maintain
hydration.
It is
recommended that
you also bring
something to sit
on like a
folding beach
chair during the
"downtime"
periods of the
program.
You do not need
to be SCUBA
certified to
take this
course. It is
useful for the
entire family,
friends, and
anyone going
into the water.
At special
times, we often
get the
opportunity for
the lifeguards
to come out and
do a talk on the
surf conditions
and the type of
beach.
After completing
the in-water
practice, we
finish the
session with a
noon time Bar-B-Que,
so bring along a
picnic lunch and
plan on
socializing
afterwards!
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Absolutely! Our
main focus of
the 3R's is
advancing your
knowledge of the
ocean/beach
environment.
Once 3R's is
finished, you
are free to dive
with your
buddy.
Unfortunately,
liability
reasons do not
allow us to
scuba dive as
part of the 3R's
program. |
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