UC Davis Scientific Diver Certification Course
Contact [email protected] for upcoming course dates
Course Schedule:
Week 1
Emphasis on confined water, classroom, and ocean safety training. Housing available at Bodega Marine Laboratory
Week 2
Emphasis on ocean diving and scientific techniques. Housing available at Albion Field Station
See below for the course description, prerequisites, equipment requirements, enrollment, and costs.
The UC Davis Scientific Diver Certification Course trains staff and evaluates their readiness to use scuba under the auspices of UC Davis. This is accomplished through lectures, workshops, field exercises, and in-water development and evaluation of breath-hold diving and scuba diving skills. The UC Davis Scientific Diver Certification Course is an intensive program that requires significant preparation prior to attendance.
Course Description
Scuba divers involved in subtidal research and/or training programs through an educational institution, such as UC Davis, are exempted from the Federal OSHA regulations concerning commercial diving if they have passed an approved training program. (Among other requirements). This course meets those requirements and those of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS). UC Davis Research Diving Course will concentrate on diving safety and planning. There will be further development of scuba skills, diving related physics, physiology, dive planning, search and recovery, accident management and diver rescue. Certifications for NAUI Scuba Rescue Diver, DAN First Aid for Professional Divers, and AAUS Scientific Diver will be earned.
This course trains divers in the knowledge and skills needed to manage risks and effectively handle limited in-water problems and diving emergencies. Included are: Diving 1st Aid, O2 for diving emergencies, AED’s, assists, transports, surface rescues and rescues from depth involving both boat and shore based skin and scuba divers.
Along with more development of theory and techniques related to diving, this course will provide lectures and practical application of advanced diving techniques and how to use these diving skills in a subtidal research project will be discussed and practiced.
The UC Davis Research Diver Training Course is designed for Researchers, Staff, and Students to meet training standards for the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS).
Prerequisites
*All course prerequisite required paperwork is due on or before 1 month prior to the start of class
- Basic scuba certification
- 12 logged openwater dives ( *4 cold water dives)
- All required equipment (see list below)
- Regulator and BC serviced within 12 months
- "Scientific Diver" medical clearance
- DAN (or other) Diving Insurance covering hyperbaric treatment
- Pass pool and ocean swim/scuba skills tests.
Required Equipment
- Regulator with alternate or redundant air source. (Divers must show proof of regulator service or purchase in the previous 12 months)
- Gauges (depth, time keeping, compass, cylinder pressure)
- BCD with auto inflator compatible with the regulator
- Full exposure suit (7mm with gloves, hood, and booties)
- Small U/W slate
- Mask/snorkel
- Fins
- Knife or other cutting device
- Ocean weight belt (integrated weights ok, but also need weight belt)
- Underwater Flashlight (backup recommended)
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) and reel
Enrollment
Course is limited to 12 students maximum. Classes fill quickly. Please email [email protected] to be added to the waitlist.
Course Cost
Course fee is: $1,000.00 UC (*+36% NUD for non-UC Clients) and includes instructor-supplied texts, materials & certifications. (Does not include housing and meals).
*All training rates are subject to a Non-University Differential (NUD) assessment for non-University of California clients.
Additional training opportunities:
Divers that complete the AAUS Scientific Diver Certification are eligible to enroll in UCD’s Advanced Scientific Diver Training Opportunities (space is limited):
- Scientific diving rescue and emergency care refreshers at Bodega Marine Laboratory occur regularly for UC Davis students, staff, faculty, volunteers and affiliates. Email [email protected] for dates.
- Scientific Diving Leadership Course, dry suit, altitude, Nitrox, etc. are offered on a limited basis.