Title: Scripps Institution of Oceanography
1Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Scientific Diving
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography
- University of California, San Diego
- La Jolla, California
2 Scientific Diving
Scientific diving is diving performed solely as
a necessary part of a scientific, research, or
educational activity by employees whose sole
purpose for diving is to perform scientific
research tasks.
As defined by OSHA regulations (29 CFR 1910.402)
3 Scientific Diving
- The purpose of the project using scientific
- diving is the advancement of science. The
- tasks of a scientific diver are those of an
- observer and data gatherer.
- Scientific divers, based on the nature of their
- activities, must use scientific expertise in
- studying the underwater environment, and,
- therefore are scientists, or scientists-in-
- training.
4 Diving as a Research Tool
- Scientific divers must be trained to use this
- tool to a level of proficiency that allows
them - to focus on the research task.
- Most scientific institutions and universities
- require extensive training and specialized
- experience before authorizing their
scientists - and research support staff to conduct
- underwater research using scuba, hookah and
- surface supplied diving.
5The Pursuit of Science
- Scientific diving differs from recreational
diving - and commercial diving in many ways. The
- advancement of science is the single goal.
- For many recreational divers, the thrill of
breathing - on scuba and enjoying the panoramic view of
life - beneath the sea is in itself the end goal of
learning - to dive.
- Commercial divers are underwater construction
- workers, builders and trouble shooters.
6Scientific Diver Population
- 4,000 individuals in the U.S.
- majority of long-term, career scientific divers
(e.g. - federal employees, university professors) in
the - 35 average age category
- high turnover of scientific divers at the
university - student level (1834 age category)
- no upper age limit for certification, the lower
limit - is generally 18 years of age
7Locations
- subtropical seas
- temperate waters
- freshwater rivers and lakes
- karst formations
- polar environments
- blue water (open ocean)
- submarine canyons
- estuaries
- offshore platforms
Heine, J.N. 1999. Scientific Diving Techniques
A Practical Guide for the Research Diver. Best
Publishing, Flagstaff. 225 p.
8Early Scientific Diving
- The first recorded scientific dives were made by
Henri Milne-Edward (Sicily) circa 1844 in a
commercial diving suit to a depth of 25 ft.
9- C.K. Tseng
- 1944
- Chinese biologist
- working at SIO
- during WWII
- Used Surface-Supplied
- Japanese Heavy Gear to
- study marine algae in
- San Diego Bay
- Frank Haymaker
- 1947
- Observation of Scripps Canyon using Hard Hat
equipment for SIO - researcher, Dr. Francis Shepard
10Conrad Limbaugh
Andreas Rechnitzer
SCUBA comes to Scripps
11Diving at Scripps
- Scripps was a branch of UCLA
- Limbaugh convinced advisor that new Aqualung
would be a - valuable tool.
- Initially purchased 1 from Renes Sporting
Goods and taught each - other how to dive.
DONT HOLD YOUR BREATHE!
- In 1950, with a second set in tow, arrived at
SIO thus initiating - Scripps diving.
12Dive Training at Scripps
- Initially pretty informal
- The training consisted more of a demonstration
than training. - 1951, first official training course developed
out of necessity - A diver at another UC campus died in a diving
accident - Revelle, President of the UC, mandated more
formalized - training.
- Many of divings fundamental principles Swim
Tests, the - Buddy System, Buddy Breathing, and the Ditch
and Don - were developed in this process.
- 1952 first organized written syllabus was
developed.
13Scripps and LA County
- In 1953, Al Tillman, Bev Morgan, and Ramsey
Parks from LA - County Parks and Recreation participated in
one of the early - courses.
- Developed the first formal diving instruction
and certification - program available to the public.
- The LA County program became the basis for all
future - recreational diving programs.
- Limbaugh, Jim Stewart, and Wheeler North
assisted the first LA - County Instructor courses.
14Jim Stewart
- Stewart was an accomplished free-
- diver and member of the
- Bottomscratchers.
- In 1952 , Stewart became a volunteer
- at SIO helping Limbaugh with diver
- training.
- In 1955, Stewart was hired part-time
- to assist Dr. Wheeler North with kelp
- forest research.
- Participated in the first science
- diving research cruise as well as
- multiple expeditions to Enewitok and
- Bikini (atomic tests)
15Transition
- In 1960, Limbaugh was killed in a cave diving
accident - in Cassis, France.
- Stewart named to replace Connie as the
Principle Health and - Safety Technologist.
- Changed position title to Diving Safety
Officer. - As scientific diving became more prominent,
Stewart was - fundamental in the formalization and
perpetuation of scientific - diver training and operational standards
University Guide for Diving Safety
16 Scientific Diving Safety Programs
- Diving Safety Programs serve a two-fold purpose
- a research support function that assists the
- diving scientist with specialized underwater
- equipment, advice, and diver support.
- a risk management function that protects the
- safety and health of the individual
scientist, and - the employing organization from excess
liability - exposure.
17 Scientific Diving Entities
- research institutions.
- public and private universities, museums and
- aquaria (predominantly research, education,
and - teaching roles).
- consulting companies (predominantly contractual
- environmental, geological, and archaeological
- investigations.
18 OSHA Scientific Diving
- 1975 - The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and
- Joiners of America, supported by the AFL-CIO,
- petitioned the Federal Government urging a
- standard be issued with respect to all
professional - diving operations.
-
- The permanent standard for Commercial Diving
- became effective October 20, 1977.
- The OSHA Commercial Diving Standard if applied
- to Scientific Diving Operations would present
a - significant impediment.
19 The AAUS
- Organized in 1977, AAUS was incorporated in the
- State of California in 1983.
- The Academy submitted arguments to OSHA on
- October 15, 1979 citing
- Self regulation and consensual standards for
over 20 - years.
- And an accident/incidence rate lower than the
- Commercial Diving Industry.
- After extensive negotiation and Congressional
- Hearings, the scientific diving exemption to
- commercial diving standards was issued,
effective - November 28, 1982.
20 The Exemption
29 CFR Ch. XVII Subpart T 1910.401 Labor (OSHA)
- Defined as scientific diving and which is under
the - direction and control of a diving program
containing at least the following elements -
- A. Diving Safety Manual
- B. Diving Control Board
21 The Exemption
Appendix B to Subpart T - Guidelines for
Scientific Diving
- 1. diving control board majority are active
scientific divers - autonomous and absolute
authority over program operations - 2. purpose of diving is advancement of science
- 3. scientific diver is observer and data
gatherer and, - 4. scientific divers use scientific expertise
under water.
22 The AAUS
- AAUS is an organization of Organizations
- AAUS certifies Scientific Diving Programs
- NOT individual divers
- The strength of the Academy is this
- Organizational Membership (OM)
23 Scientific Diving Standards
- The American Academy of Underwater Sciences
(AAUS) publishes standards - for scientific diving certification and
operation of scientific diving programs - University National Oceanographic Laboratory
System (UNOLS) research - vessel diving safety standards amplify the
AAUS standards for diving from a - research vessel platform
- The UNOLS standards for scientific diving are
based on the AAUS Scientific - Diving standards
- National Science Foundation (NSF) standards
for Ice diving - The NSF standards for scientific diving are
based on the AAUS Scientific Diving - standards
- Other Scientific Diving Standards
- NOAA Diving Program (Dept. of Commerce)
- EPA
- United States Geological Survey (Dept. of the
Interior) - National Park Service
- CMAS
24 Diving Safety
- The ultimate responsibility for safety rests
with the - individual diver...
- Safety is the judgment of acceptability of
risk. Risk is a - compound measure of probability and severity
of harm to - human health. There are degrees of risk,
therefore, degrees - of safety.
- estimating risk is a scientific event (an
objective and - probabilistic pursuit)
- accepting risk is a political activity (a
personal or social - judgment)
- nothing is absolutely free of risk
- Adapted from Lowrance, W.L. 1976