USF Scientific Diving

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

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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 Keys Marine Lab.

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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).

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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.
  

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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

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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.
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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.
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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 show
ing current certification Forward all copies
to the Scientific Diving Office
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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.

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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.

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USF Scientific Diving Program

• Step 6

Schedule a pool water skills evaluation with the
Scientific Diving Office
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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 Trea
d 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
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USF Scientific Diving Program

• Step 7

Schedule a pool Scuba Skills evaluation with the
Scientific Diving Office
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USF Scientific Diving Program

• Pool Evaluation includes

Scuba Skills Evaluation Enter the pool with most
appropriate entry Clear a fully flooded mask Dem
onstrate 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 DSOs
acceptance
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USF Scientific Diving Program

• Step 8

Medical Insurance Every scientific diver must p
rovide 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.
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USF Scientific Diving Program

• Step 9

Schedule a Scuba Skills Open Water evaluation
with the Scientific Diving Office
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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.
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USF Scientific Diving Program

• Open Water Evaluation includes

Snorkeling evaluation Dive to a depth of at leas
t 10 feet using proper snorkeling techniques
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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

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