Want to get away from it all for three months or so? This is a guide that answers a real need - that of all those diving students who decide to take a gap-year, or older divers a sabbatical, and help the planet by having a good time under water.
We have alluded in DIVER before to the fact that, while there are organisations out there doing fine work in the field of marine conservation, and offering diving volunteers a genuine opportunity to do something useful, there are certain others that may be more self-serving.
These latter bodies create, as Peter Lynch observes in his introduction, "a green smokescreen around their actual tour-operator status".
Others are simply not that efficient, or offer poor value to volunteers who are willing to pay thousands of pounds to sleep in an "eco-friendly" beach-shack - great business for the less scrupulous!
So how do you sift the admirable Coral Cay Conservations and Operation Wallaceas from those with less lofty motives, or the poor performers whose "scientific surveys" rarely see the light of day?
This guide does it for you. Lynch has come up with a nine-category audit system, and has used it to put 50 of the higher-profile contenders through the mill.
If these organisations score well on the points that matter to you, you can probably proceed with your trip with considerably more assurance.
Interestingly, one category in which most organisations seem to fall short is "post-trip follow-up". They suck you in and spit you out!
I would hope that the conscientious organisations will take note of Lynch's observations and try to correct any shortcomings.
The book does more than audit, however - it helps would-be volunteers to narrow down what they're looking for; offers case studies; and imparts sensible guidance on costs, on ways of financing your trip and everything you need to know before you go.
I hope Bradt will keep it updated, because it's a valuable tool.
Steve Weinman
Travelling Diver
www.travellingdiver.com
Set of 16 cards, £12.50
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