Post on 18-Dec-2015
USF Scientific DivingUSF Scientific Diving
William Dent, Diving Safety OfficerBen Meister, Assistant Diving Safety Officer
USF Scientific Diving ProgramUSF Scientific Diving Program
Welcome to the University of South Florida Welcome to the University of South Florida Scientific Diving Program. The program is Scientific Diving Program. The program is administered through the Scientific Diving administered through the Scientific Diving
Safety Office which operates under the Safety Office which operates under the auspices of the Office of Research, auspices of the Office of Research, Division of Research Compliance.Division of Research Compliance.
USF Scientific Diving ProgramUSF Scientific Diving Program
The USF Scientific Diving Program oversees The USF Scientific Diving Program oversees any Scientific Diving that is connected to any Scientific Diving that is connected to
the University of South Florida (USF) or the the University of South Florida (USF) or the Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO) Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO)
because of ownership of equipment used, because of ownership of equipment used, locations selected or relationship with the locations selected or relationship with the individuals concerned. This includes all of individuals concerned. This includes all of
the USF Campuses, the FIO research the USF Campuses, the FIO research vessels and the Key’s Marine Lab.vessels and the Key’s Marine Lab.
USF Scientific Diving ProgramUSF Scientific Diving Program
The University of South Florida Scientific The University of South Florida Scientific Diving Program is a participating member Diving Program is a participating member
in good standing of the American in good standing of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences Academy of Underwater Sciences
(AAUS). (AAUS).
USF Scientific Diving ProgramUSF Scientific Diving Program
By being a member of the AAUS:By being a member of the AAUS: USF adheres to the community standards for USF adheres to the community standards for
Scientific Diving as outlined by the AAUS Scientific Diving as outlined by the AAUS Scientific Diving Standards.Scientific Diving Standards.
USF gets to participate in reciprocity offered USF gets to participate in reciprocity offered by over 125 other AAUS organizational by over 125 other AAUS organizational members.members.
USF Scientific Diving ProgramUSF Scientific Diving Program
If you are anticipating doing any Scientific If you are anticipating doing any Scientific Diving at the University of South Florida or Diving at the University of South Florida or with the Florida Institute of Oceanography with the Florida Institute of Oceanography
you will be required to complete the you will be required to complete the following process:following process:
USF Scientific Diving ProgramUSF Scientific Diving Program
Step #1:Step #1:
Complete the USF Scientific Diving Application and forward it to the USF
Scientific Diving Office
The USF Scientific Diving application is available for downloading on the USF Scientific Diving web site or from the USF Scientific Diving Office.
USF Scientific Diving ProgramUSF Scientific Diving Program
Step #2:Step #2:
Complete the USF Scientific Diving Release and Waiver of Liability
Agreement and forward it to the USF Scientific Diving Office
The USF Scientific Diving waiver is available for downloading on the USF Scientific Diving web site or from the USF Scientific Diving Office.
USF Scientific Diving ProgramUSF Scientific Diving Program
Step #3:Step #3:
Make copies of: - your scuba certification card showing your highest level of certification- your CPR Card – showing current certification- your 1st Aid Card – showing current certification- your Oxygen Provider Card – showing current certification
Forward all copies to the Scientific Diving Office
USF Scientific Diving ProgramUSF Scientific Diving Program
If you are no longer current (or never have If you are no longer current (or never have been current) in 1been current) in 1stst Aid, CPR or Oxygen Aid, CPR or Oxygen
Provider you can still proceed through the Provider you can still proceed through the program but the above listed certifications program but the above listed certifications must be obtained before being granted a must be obtained before being granted a
“Scientific Diver” designation.“Scientific Diver” designation.
USF Scientific Diving ProgramUSF Scientific Diving Program
Step #4:Step #4:
The USF Scientific Diving Medical Exam Overview, Evaluation and
History Form
The USF Scientific Diving Medical Exam forms are available for downloading on the USF Scientific Diving web site or from the USF Scientific Diving Office.
USF Scientific Diving ProgramUSF Scientific Diving Program
USF Medical Exam Overview, Evaluation and History FormUSF Medical Exam Overview, Evaluation and History Form
Complete the forms, take them to the physician of your choice and have
the physician forward the results to the USF Scientific Diving Office
Although any physician can be used to complete the exam it is strongly suggested the physician have some knowledge of hyperbaric medicine.
USF Scientific Diving ProgramUSF Scientific Diving Program
We can not conduct any in water work without the medical release!
Important Notes about the Medical:
All the tests specified on the medical release MUST be conducted!
USF Scientific Diving ProgramUSF Scientific Diving Program
Step #5:Step #5:
Take the written USF Scientific Diving Scuba Exam – send in the
answer sheet to the USF Scientific Diving Office – schedule a date to
review the examThe USF Scientific Diving exam is available for downloading on the USF
Scientific Diving web site or from the USF Scientific Diving Office.
USF Scientific Diving ProgramUSF Scientific Diving Program
Step #6:Step #6:
Schedule a pool water skills evaluation with the Scientific Diving
Office
USF Scientific Diving ProgramUSF Scientific Diving Program
Pool Water Skills Evaluation includes:Pool Water Skills Evaluation includes:
Swim evaluation•Swim Underwater 25 yards without any aids•Swim 400 yards in under 12 minutes•Tread water for 10 minutes without any aids
OR•Tread water for 2 minutes with hands out of water•Transport a diver of equal size 25 yards
USF Scientific Diving ProgramUSF Scientific Diving Program
Step #7:Step #7:
Schedule a pool Scuba Skills evaluation with the Scientific Diving
Office
USF Scientific Diving ProgramUSF Scientific Diving ProgramPool Evaluation includes:Pool Evaluation includes:Scuba Skills Evaluation
•Enter the pool with most appropriate entry•Clear a fully flooded mask•Demonstrate air sharing (both alternate air and buddy breathing), both as donor and recipient, both with and without face mask on•Demonstrate the ability to switch between snorkel and regulator while swimming on the surface•Demonstrate understanding of hand signals•Demonstrate simulated in water rescue breathing•Remove and replace equipment while underwater•Demonstrate watermanship ability to the DSO’s acceptance
USF Scientific Diving ProgramUSF Scientific Diving Program
Step #8:Step #8:
Medical Insurance
Every scientific diver must provide proof of medical insurance. If you are a full time USF or FIO employee (not OPS) then you will be covered by USF or FIO. If you are a student or an OPS employee then you must
obtain additional medical insurance. There are several suppliers for this insurance such as PADI or DAN.
There is a direct link on the USF Scientific Diving web page to DAN Insurance since DAN is the company of
choice for most scientific divers.
USF Scientific Diving ProgramUSF Scientific Diving Program
Step #9:Step #9:
Schedule a Scuba Skills Open Water evaluation with the Scientific Diving
Office
USF Scientific Diving ProgramUSF Scientific Diving Program
The Open Water evaluation is scheduled at a site determined by the Scientific Diving Office. The
Scientific Diving candidate will incur any boat or entry fees. Equipment
can be provided by the USF Scientific Diving Office.
USF Scientific Diving ProgramUSF Scientific Diving Program
Open Water Evaluation includes:Open Water Evaluation includes:
Snorkeling evaluation:•Dive to a depth of at least 10 feet using proper snorkeling techniques
USF Scientific Diving ProgramUSF Scientific Diving ProgramScuba Evaluation:Scuba Evaluation:
Demonstrate sharing air both as donor and recipientDemonstrate sharing air both as donor and recipient Enter & exit water using most appropriate techniquesEnter & exit water using most appropriate techniques Swim 400 yards on the surface using snorkel with Swim 400 yards on the surface using snorkel with
scuba gear in placescuba gear in place Demonstrate good judgment while divingDemonstrate good judgment while diving Demonstrate an emergency swimming ascentDemonstrate an emergency swimming ascent Flood and clear regulatorFlood and clear regulator Flood and clear maskFlood and clear mask Demonstrate good neutral buoyancy techniquesDemonstrate good neutral buoyancy techniques Demonstrate self rescue and buddy rescue Demonstrate self rescue and buddy rescue
techniquestechniques Demonstrate navigation skillsDemonstrate navigation skills
USF Scientific Diving ProgramUSF Scientific Diving Program
Once everything listed above is completed to the satisfaction of the Scientific Diving Office the Scientific
Diving candidate will be issued a “Diver-in-training” certification.