Women in Diving: Lauren Arthur, Conservationist & Natural History Story Teller

Lauren Arthur is a wildlife presenter, zoologist and marine biologist with a masters in Tropical Coastal management and is passionate about conservation and creative natural history storytelling. Join us as she tells us more about herself and her diving experiences.
I am originally from Edinburgh in Scotland but now live in South Africa in the middle of the African bush.
I first started diving in 2008 while working in Fiji and it was a really long time ago. I am currently a Dive Master which I completed in the Maldives. I remember my first dive as clear as a bell at Deep Sea World, Edinburgh. They offer a shark experience where you can swim with sharks using scuba equipment in a tank. Not quite the ocean but as I was still really young, this experience was perfect. I only completed my Open Water, Advanced Open Water and Rescue course In Fiji - on a remote island called Gau. I completed my Apnea Total Qualification in 2015 and started professional freediving in 2016.
About being a DAN Member
I have always been a member of DAN, ever since I first started diving. I’ve never actually dived without it. DAN provides security when diving especially in foreign countries and in remote places. This didn't affect me directly but when in Grand Cayman for DiveLIVE, the sister pioneering project of SafariLIVE, my colleague got the bends. She had to go into the chamber and undergo lots of tests. In the end they found she had a hole in her heart (a Patent Foramen Ovale, PFO) that she was unaware of. It was a worrying time for us all but DAN was there for her the whole way through, easy to communicate with and ultimately professional. Supporting my colleague through this was difficult but I was very proud to be a member of DAN.
There are still so many dive destinations on my bucket list but favourites so far has to be Baa Atoll in Maldives, specific during the SW monsoon when the manta rays and whale sharks flock to Hanifaru bay, or Lembeh strait in Indonesia to go critter hunting. The Sardine run in Port of St. Johns on the south coast of KwaZulu Natal in South Africa is a close second. It is so hard to choose.
Studying and Conservation work
Knowledge enhances every experience - the more you know, the more you can really appreciate something. I completed my masters in Tropical Coastal Management which was a very holistic course, focusing on a multidisciplinary approach to environmental research skills based on different dimensions: social, environment, economics and wildlife. Having a 'deep' (pardon the pun) understanding of the ocean and the species that live there, makes diving so much more thrilling and satisfying.
I travelled to Fiji as part of a marine conservation program to set up an MPA, working closely with the local communities. Research, monitoring and collecting data and completing my PADI underwater diving courses. It was an incredible experience living on an island with nothing, no fresh running water, sporadic electricity powered by a generator, supplies only brought from mainland once a week. Remote location, far from home, learning to dive from scratch and cooking for an entire camp - led to one of the best but most challenging experiences for me. It gave me my first ever experience with manta rays - the loves of my life.
During my time in Maldives, my work focused on manta rays, turtles and coral regeneration. I was a regional representative for MantaMatcher (www.mantamatcher.org) in Baa Atoll, Maldives and thrived on educating people about these majestic cartilaginous fish. Working closely with the Olive Ridley Project, ID'ing hundreds of turtles and rescuing many from ghost nets which are a huge problem in Maldives as the Olive Ridley sea turtles complete their 'arribada' to India's Odisha shores. resuscitating turtles with mouth-to-mouth CPR and waking up in the middle of the night to ensure newly-hatched turtles made it safely to the ocean, it was one wild adventure. Lastly, the other focus of my work was coral regeneration by collecting naturally-broken fragments of acropora coral which we attached to the jetty using monofilament fishing line. It was a unique pioneering concept which worked so well - incorporating recycling. The coral thrived until the El Nino of 2016 which was devastating to Maldives.
My work was really diverse and included working with the local communities, educating guests that came to the island doing conservation work and a lot of research work. Absolutely anyone can take part in conservation activities today to help the oceans. Citizen science is huge now and a simple underwater clean up can be organised so easily. Do some research into where you plan to dive and find out if there are any projects or programs running that you can participate in. Even snorkelers can make a difference if you have yet to complete your dive course. You don’t have to be a diver or even a swimmer. From beach clean-ups to underwater clean ups, everyone can make a difference.
SafariLIVE, DiveLIVE into WildEARTH
Before SafariLIVE, I was first brought into WildEarth to complete a pioneering project called DiveLIVE, presenting LIVE from underwater in Grand Cayman. Our broadcasts were to a global audience answering questions in real-time about the underwater realm. Connected to my cameraman with cables, I was fitted with a full-face mask containing a microphone and speakers. After this successful project, I got offered an opportunity to come to South Africa and present on land in the African bush. From underwater to land - I strive to connect people to nature.
I have so many wonderful memories of working as a marine biologist. But my favourite ones, the ones that stand out the most, are probably rescuing a female Manta Ray that was completely entangle in monofilament fishing-line. We managed to set her free. And another is of all the turtles we rescued. These were mainly Olive Ridley turtles that were on their way to India for the Arribada and they get caught in ghost nets. Huge conglomerates of plastic nets and they are not able to get free. This included giving them surgery, rehabilitation and even mouth to mouth CPR.
Note you can see Lauren presenting the natural wonders of the African bush and wildlife on SafariLive and follow her adventures on instagram @lauren_arthur7.
I am originally from Edinburgh in Scotland but now live in South Africa in the middle of the African bush.
I first started diving in 2008 while working in Fiji and it was a really long time ago. I am currently a Dive Master which I completed in the Maldives. I remember my first dive as clear as a bell at Deep Sea World, Edinburgh. They offer a shark experience where you can swim with sharks using scuba equipment in a tank. Not quite the ocean but as I was still really young, this experience was perfect. I only completed my Open Water, Advanced Open Water and Rescue course In Fiji - on a remote island called Gau. I completed my Apnea Total Qualification in 2015 and started professional freediving in 2016.
About being a DAN Member
I have always been a member of DAN, ever since I first started diving. I’ve never actually dived without it. DAN provides security when diving especially in foreign countries and in remote places. This didn't affect me directly but when in Grand Cayman for DiveLIVE, the sister pioneering project of SafariLIVE, my colleague got the bends. She had to go into the chamber and undergo lots of tests. In the end they found she had a hole in her heart (a Patent Foramen Ovale, PFO) that she was unaware of. It was a worrying time for us all but DAN was there for her the whole way through, easy to communicate with and ultimately professional. Supporting my colleague through this was difficult but I was very proud to be a member of DAN.
There are still so many dive destinations on my bucket list but favourites so far has to be Baa Atoll in Maldives, specific during the SW monsoon when the manta rays and whale sharks flock to Hanifaru bay, or Lembeh strait in Indonesia to go critter hunting. The Sardine run in Port of St. Johns on the south coast of KwaZulu Natal in South Africa is a close second. It is so hard to choose.
Studying and Conservation work
Knowledge enhances every experience - the more you know, the more you can really appreciate something. I completed my masters in Tropical Coastal Management which was a very holistic course, focusing on a multidisciplinary approach to environmental research skills based on different dimensions: social, environment, economics and wildlife. Having a 'deep' (pardon the pun) understanding of the ocean and the species that live there, makes diving so much more thrilling and satisfying.
I travelled to Fiji as part of a marine conservation program to set up an MPA, working closely with the local communities. Research, monitoring and collecting data and completing my PADI underwater diving courses. It was an incredible experience living on an island with nothing, no fresh running water, sporadic electricity powered by a generator, supplies only brought from mainland once a week. Remote location, far from home, learning to dive from scratch and cooking for an entire camp - led to one of the best but most challenging experiences for me. It gave me my first ever experience with manta rays - the loves of my life.
During my time in Maldives, my work focused on manta rays, turtles and coral regeneration. I was a regional representative for MantaMatcher (www.mantamatcher.org) in Baa Atoll, Maldives and thrived on educating people about these majestic cartilaginous fish. Working closely with the Olive Ridley Project, ID'ing hundreds of turtles and rescuing many from ghost nets which are a huge problem in Maldives as the Olive Ridley sea turtles complete their 'arribada' to India's Odisha shores. resuscitating turtles with mouth-to-mouth CPR and waking up in the middle of the night to ensure newly-hatched turtles made it safely to the ocean, it was one wild adventure. Lastly, the other focus of my work was coral regeneration by collecting naturally-broken fragments of acropora coral which we attached to the jetty using monofilament fishing line. It was a unique pioneering concept which worked so well - incorporating recycling. The coral thrived until the El Nino of 2016 which was devastating to Maldives.
My work was really diverse and included working with the local communities, educating guests that came to the island doing conservation work and a lot of research work. Absolutely anyone can take part in conservation activities today to help the oceans. Citizen science is huge now and a simple underwater clean up can be organised so easily. Do some research into where you plan to dive and find out if there are any projects or programs running that you can participate in. Even snorkelers can make a difference if you have yet to complete your dive course. You don’t have to be a diver or even a swimmer. From beach clean-ups to underwater clean ups, everyone can make a difference.
SafariLIVE, DiveLIVE into WildEARTH
Before SafariLIVE, I was first brought into WildEarth to complete a pioneering project called DiveLIVE, presenting LIVE from underwater in Grand Cayman. Our broadcasts were to a global audience answering questions in real-time about the underwater realm. Connected to my cameraman with cables, I was fitted with a full-face mask containing a microphone and speakers. After this successful project, I got offered an opportunity to come to South Africa and present on land in the African bush. From underwater to land - I strive to connect people to nature.
I have so many wonderful memories of working as a marine biologist. But my favourite ones, the ones that stand out the most, are probably rescuing a female Manta Ray that was completely entangle in monofilament fishing-line. We managed to set her free. And another is of all the turtles we rescued. These were mainly Olive Ridley turtles that were on their way to India for the Arribada and they get caught in ghost nets. Huge conglomerates of plastic nets and they are not able to get free. This included giving them surgery, rehabilitation and even mouth to mouth CPR.
Note you can see Lauren presenting the natural wonders of the African bush and wildlife on SafariLive and follow her adventures on instagram @lauren_arthur7.
Posted in Women In Diving South Africa
Tagged with Lauren Arthur, SafariLive, DiveLIVE, Consercation, Zoology, Tropical Coastal Management
Tagged with Lauren Arthur, SafariLive, DiveLIVE, Consercation, Zoology, Tropical Coastal Management
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2020
January
February
Group Fitness at the PoolHow to Rescue a Distressed diver at the SurfaceHow to manage Near-DrowningNo Sit-ups no problem How to manage MalariaHow to manage Oxygen Deficiency (Hypoxia)What to do when confronted by a sharkHow to manage Scombroid PoisoningHow to perform a Deep Diver RescueHow to perform One-rescuer CPRHow to perform a Neurological Assessment
March
DAN’s Quick Guide to Properly Disinfecting Dive GearCOVID-19 : Prevention Recommendations for our Diving CommunityGermophobia? - Just give it a reasonable thoughtScuba Equipment care – Rinsing and cleaning diving equipmentCOVID-19 and DAN MembershipFurther limitations imposed on travels and considerations on diving activitiesDAN Membership COVID-19 FAQsLancet COVID-19 South African Testing SitesCOVID-19 No Panic Help GuideGetting Decompression Sickness while FreedivingDown in the DumpsCardiovascular Disease and DivingDelayed Off-GassingDiving after Dental surgeryDiving with Multiple MedicationsPygmy Seahorses: Life AquaticAfrica DustCOVID-19 Myth BustersScuba Units Are Not Suitable Substitutes for VentilatorsDisinfection of Scuba Equipment and COVID-19Physioball Stability Exercises
April
COVID-19 AdvisoryScuba Equipment Care - Drying & Storing Your GearTransporting Diving Lights & BatteriesHow to Pivot Your Message During a CrisisTourism Relief FundCOVID-19 Business Support ReviewDiving After COVID-19: What We Know TodayEUBS-ECHM Position Statement on Diving ActivitiesPart 2: COVID-19 Business Support ReviewPress Release
May
Diving in the Era of COVID-19Dive Operations and COVID-19: Prepping for ReturnCOVID-19 & Diving Activities: 10 Safety RecommendationsCOVID-19: Surface Survival TimesThe Philippines at its FinestThe Logistics of ExplorationThe Art of the Underwater SelfieShooter: Douglas SeifertFAQs Answered: Disinfecting Scuba EquipmentStock your First-Aid KitResearch and OutreachCovid-19 ResearchOut of the BlueEffects of Aspirin on DivingThe New Pointy end of DivingDiving and Hepatitis CCaissons, Compressed-Air work and Deep TunnellingPreparing to Dive in the New NormalNew Health Declaration Form Sample Addressing C-19 IssuesDiving After COVID 19: What Divers Need to Know
June
Travel Smarter: PRE-TRIP VACCINATIONSAttention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and DivingCOVID-19: Updated First Aid Training Recommendations From DANDiving with a Purpose in National Marine SanctuariesStay Positive Through the PandemicFor the Dive Operator: How to Protect Your Staff & ClientsStudying Deep reefs and Deep diversAsking the Right QuestionsLung squeeze under cold diving conditions
July
Dive DeprivationVolunteer Fish Surveys: Engage DiversDAN Member Profile: Mehgan Heaney-GrierTravel Smarter: Don’t Cancel, Reschedule InsteadDive Boat Fire SafetyRay of HopePartner ExercisesDiving at AltitudeAluminium ExposureHip FracturesAcoustic NeuromaGuidelines for Lifelong Medical Fitness to DiveNew Dive Medical Forms
August
Women in Diving: Lauren Arthur, Conservationist & Natural History Story TellerWomen in Diving: Dr Sara Andreotti White Shark ResearcherTiming ExerciseWomen in Diving: The Salty Wanderer, Charlie WarlandWomen in Diving: Beth Neale, Aqua soul of freedivingWomen in Diving: Diving and spearfishing Diva, Jean HattinghWomen in Diving: Zandile Ndhlovu, The Black Mermaid
September
October
Freediving For ScienceStep Exercises with CardioFluorescence Imaging help Identify Coral BleachingChildren and DivingThe Watchman device and divingScuba Diving and Factor V Leiden gene mutationNitrogen Narcosis at shallow depthsOil and Particulates: Safe levels in Breathing Air at depthDive Principles for Coping with COVID-19The Importance of a Predive Safety CheckTalya Davidoff: the 'Plattelandse Meisie' Freediver
2019
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May
DAN Press ReleaseYour Dive Computer: Tips and tricks - PART 1Your Dive Computer: Tips and tricks - PART 2Aural HygieneDCS AheadHow Divers Can Help with coral conservationRed Tide and shellfish poisoningDiving after Kidney DonationDiving with hypertrophic cardiomyopathyEmergency Underwater Oxygen Recompression
June
July
September
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November
Exercise drills with DowelsHeart-rate TrainingCultivating ConservationTRavel Smarter : Evaluating an unfamiliar Dive operatorChallenging the Frontiers of Decompression ResearchTravel Smarter: Plan for Medical EmergenciesWhen should I call my Doctor?DAN Student Medical Expense CoverageAdvice, Support and a LifelineWetsuits and heat stressDiving after Chiropractic adjustments
2018
April
Flying after pool diving FAQLung squeeze while freediving FAQDiving after Bariatric surgery FAQMarine injuries FAQVasovagal Syncope unpredictable FAQIncident report procedure FAQDiving after knee surgery FAQDiving when in RemissionDive with orbital Implant FAQInert gas washout FAQOxygen ears FAQPost Decompression sicknessChildren and diving. The real concerns.Diving after SurgeryPhysiology of Decompresssion sickness FAQDiving and regular exerciseGordon Hiles - I am an Underwater Cameraman and Film MakerScuba Air QualityBreath-hold diving. Part 3: The Science Bit!Compensation Legislation and the Recreational DiverCape Town DivingFive pro tips for capturing better images in cold waterThe Boat Left Without You: Now What?
May
When things go wrongEmergency Planning: Why Do We Need It?Breath-hold diving: Running on reserve -Part 5 Learning to RebreatheSweet Dreams: When Can I Resume Diving Post Anaesthesia?Investing in the future of reefsTo lie or not to lie?THE STORY OF A RASH AFTER A DIVEFirst Aid KitsTaravana: Fact or Falacy?
June
Oxygen Unit MaintenanceKnow Your Oxygen-Delivery Masks 1Know Your Oxygen-Delivery Masks 2Emergency Oxygen unitsInjuries due to exposure - HypothermiaInjuries due to exposure - Altitude sicknessInjuries due to Exposure - Dehydration and other concernsHow to plan for your dive tripThe Future of Dive MedicinePlastic is Killing our ocean
September
Return to DivingDiagnoses: Pulmonary blebSide effects of Rectogesic ointmentDiving with ChemotherapyReplacing dive computers and BCDsCustomize Your First-Aid KitPlan for medical emergenciesHow the dive Reflex protects the brain and heartDry suits and skin BendsAltitude sickness and DCSScuba Diving and Life Expectancy
2017
March
April
Incident Insight: TriageA Field Guide to Minor MishapsSnorkels: Pros & ConsTime & RecoveryMedication & Drug UseDiving with CancerNitrox FAQCOPD FAQHyperbaric Chamber FAQJet Lag FAQHydration FAQAnticoagulant Medication FAQFluid in the Ear FAQEye Surgery FAQElderly Divers FAQNitrogen FAQHealth Concerns FAQMotion Sickness FAQMicronuclei FAQ
June
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2016
February
March
Breath-Hold Diving & ScubaReturn to Diving After DCITiming Exercise & DivingHot Tubs After DivingSubcutaneous EmphysemaIn-Water RecompressionDiving at AltitudeFlying After DivingDiving After FlyingThe Risks of Diabetes & DivingFlu-like Symptoms Following a DiveHand & Foot EdemaFrontal HeadachesBladder DiscomfortLatex AllergiesRemember to BreatheProper Position for Emergency CareAches & PainsCell Phones While DrivingSurfers Ear Ear Ventilation TubesDealing with Ear ProblemsDiving with Existing Ear InjuriesPerforated Ear DrumENT SurgeryUnpluggedCochlear ImplantsPortuguese Man-of-WarJellyfish StingsLionfish, Scorpionfish & Stonefish EnvenomationsStingray Envenomation Coral Cuts, Scrapes and RashesSpeeding & Driving Behaviour
June
Newsflash! Low Pressure Hose DeteriorationItching & rash go away & come back!7 Things we did not know about the oceanMigraine HeadacheAttention Deficit Disorder Cerebral Vascular AccidentEpilepsyCerebral PalsyHistory of SeizuresMultiple Sclerosis Head TraumaBreast Cancer & Fitness to Dive IssuesLocal Allergic ReactionsSea LiceHow ocean pollution affects humans Dive Fatality & Lobster Mini-Season StatisticsPregnancy & DivingReturn to Diving After Giving BirthBreast Implants & DivingMenstruation During Diving ActivitiesOral Birth ControlBreast FeedingPremenstrual SyndromeOsteoporosisThe Aftermath of Diving IncidentsCompensation Legislation & the Recreational DiverNoise-Induced Hearing LossLegal MattersThe Nature of Liability & DivingDAN Legal NetworkWaivers, Children & Solo DivingHealthy, but overweight!Taking Medication while Scuba DivingGetting Fit for the Dive SeasonBone Considerations in Young DiversAsthma and Scuba DivingHepatitisDiving with HyperglycemiaShoulder PainDiving After Spinal Back Surgery
August
Hazard Identification & Risk AssessmentCaring For Your People Caring For Your FacilitiesCaring For Your BusinessScuba Air Quality Part 1Scuba Air Quality Part 2Chamber Maintenance Part 1Chamber Maintenance Part 2The Aging Diver Propeller SafetyRelease The PressureDon't Get LostMore Water, Less Bubbles13 Ways to Run Out of Air & How Not To7 Mistakes Divers Make & How To Avoid ThemSafety Is In The AirHow Good Is Your Emergency Plan
2015
January
March