usf scientific diving william dent, diving safety officer ben meister, assistant diving safety...

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.


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.


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).


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.


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:


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.


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.


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


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.


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 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.


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!


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.


Step #6:Step #6:

Schedule a pool water skills evaluation with the Scientific Diving

Office


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


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


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.


Step #9:Step #9:

Schedule a Scuba Skills Open Water evaluation with the Scientific Diving

Office


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.


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


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.


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.

usf scientific diving william dent, diving safety officer ben meister, assistant diving safety...

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