USF Scientific Diving

1. USF Scientific Diving William Dent, Diving Safety Officer Ben Meister, Assistant Diving Safety Officer

2. USF Scientific Diving Program Welcome to the University of South Florida Scientific Diving Program. The program is administered through the Scientific Diving Safety Office which operates under the auspices of the Office of Research, Division of Research Compliance.

3. USF Scientific Diving Program The USF Scientific Diving Program oversees any Scientific Diving that is connected to the University of South Florida (USF) or the Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO) because of ownership of equipment used, locations selected or relationship with the individuals concerned. This includes all of the USF Campuses, the FIO research vessels and the Key’s Marine Lab.

4. USF Scientific Diving Program The University of South Florida Scientific Diving Program is a participating member in good standing of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS).

5. USF Scientific Diving Program By being a member of the AAUS: • USF adheres to the community standards for Scientific Diving as outlined by the AAUS Scientific Diving Standards. • USF gets to participate in reciprocity offered by over 125 other AAUS organizational members.

6. USF Scientific Diving Program If you are anticipating doing any Scientific Diving at the University of South Florida or with the Florida Institute of Oceanography you will be required to complete the following process:

7. USF Scientific Diving Program 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.

8. USF Scientific Diving Program 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.

9. USF Scientific Diving Program 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

10. USF Scientific Diving Program If you are no longer current (or never have been current) in 1st Aid, CPR or Oxygen Provider you can still proceed through the program but the above listed certifications must be obtained before being granted a “Scientific Diver” designation.

11. USF Scientific Diving Program 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.

12. USF Scientific Diving Program USF 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.

13. USF Scientific Diving Program Important Notes about the Medical: All the tests specified on the medical release MUST be conducted! We can not conduct any in water work without the medical release!

14. USF Scientific Diving Program 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 exam The USF Scientific Diving exam is available for downloading on the USF Scientific Diving web site or from the USF Scientific Diving Office.

15. USF Scientific Diving Program Step #6: Schedule a pool water skills evaluation with the Scientific Diving Office

16. USF Scientific Diving Program 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

17. USF Scientific Diving Program Step #7: Schedule a pool Scuba Skills evaluation with the Scientific Diving Office

18. USF Scientific Diving Program 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

19. USF Scientific Diving Program 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.

20. USF Scientific Diving Program Step #9: Schedule a Scuba Skills Open Water evaluation with the Scientific Diving Office

21. USF 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.

22. USF Scientific Diving Program Open Water Evaluation includes: • Snorkeling evaluation: • Dive to a depth of at least 10 feet using proper snorkeling techniques

23. USF Scientific Diving Program Scuba Evaluation: • Demonstrate sharing air both as donor and recipient • Enter & exit water using most appropriate techniques • Swim 400 yards on the surface using snorkel with scuba gear in place • Demonstrate good judgment while diving • Demonstrate an emergency swimming ascent • Flood and clear regulator • Flood and clear mask • Demonstrate good neutral buoyancy techniques • Demonstrate self rescue and buddy rescue techniques • Demonstrate navigation skills

24. USF 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.

25. USF Scientific Diving Program Welcome to the exciting world of Scientific Diving! Now is the time to get the process started. Please feel free to contact the USF Scientific Diving Office if you have any questions or if we can be of any assistance.