This decade is dedicated to “Ocean Science for Sustainable Development”, as many activities (mainly economic) have been oriented towards the Sea. Scientific diving is a common research practice for various disciplines related to this domain. Compliance with internationally recognized standards for safe diving activities, and with the ethics for the application of scientific methods underwater, requires relevant training.

Although diving training for other purposes (e.g., rescue, military, or technical work) including recreation is provided by the related bodies, the same is not true in the case of diving for scientific purposes. Education in scientific subjects (such as Scientific Diving) falls under the responsibility of higher education institutions.

The aim of this programme is to provide an academic framework for education on Scientific Diving. Participants are introduced to an interdisciplinary “collaboration and learning” environment, cultivated by the trainers, experts in diving, safety, surveying, archaeology, biology, geology, data analysis, ecology, oceanography, and communication.

Divers (students or researchers), who participate in the training, attend theoretical and practical sessions with subjects such as the safety on scientific diving, the sharing and delegation of roles (for operational or scientific needs), and the use of underwater scientific instruments and tools. They will also be able to collaborate within an interdisciplinary team of divers to complete a short-term (mini) project. In addition, experienced researchers are encouraged to contribute their knowledge and coordinate parts of a project that relate to their specific background.

Upon completion of the course, participants will:

• be familiar with the skills, procedures, and techniques applicable to a scientific diving project,
• be able to understand and recognize potential problems and risks associated with underwater research,
• be able to cooperate with the team members of an underwater research project.

The programme is addressed to adults who are already certified as scuba divers and have a keen interest in the application of underwater surveying methods and procedures for scientific purposes, by means of diving.  The target group includes students or scientists from any discipline associated with the aquatic environment (e.g., archaeology, biology, chemistry, geology, ecology, engineering, journalism, oceanography et al.) and divers who want to develop their knowledge and skills for the documentation and the promotion of underwater natural or cultural features.

Apart from the learning motives, holding an advanced-level dive certification (e.g., PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent), as well as being familiar with the use of standard diving equipment are considered basic requirements. Candidates will be selected based on the relevance of their diving and scientific background with course objectives. A priority will be given to students and already working researchers, who own personal diving equipment.

The minimum accepted diving competency of applicants is according to ISO 24801-2: Level 2 — Autonomous diver (e.g., PADI Open Water Diver or equivalent). Before being eligible to participate in any diving activity of the course, applicants should provide the required documentation (Continuing Education Administrative Document and Diver Medical form) provided by the programme, filled in and signed. A signed medical screening for the applicant’s suitability to dive, may be asked by the course director. The submission of the diving competency certificate, the filled and signed required documents (Continuing Education Administrative Document and Diver Medical form) and/or a medical screening for the applicant’s suitability to dive do not guarantee participation in the course.

Any next-level dive certification (e.g., specialties, Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent) on-top of the initial training, with documented experience of more than 5 logged non-training dives in an open water environment during the last year, are considered as the minimum diving competency before participating in the course’s diving activities. Those in the process of receiving a next-level dive certification on-top of their initial training at the time of application, should be able to provide proof of their latest training dive for the specific certification (e.g., logged training dive, signed by the instructor).

All candidates should be available to participate in a dive session for an assessment of their basic diving skills prior the participation in any other dive training activity. Assessment is based on the readiness to appropriately use and take care of the personal diving equipment, to control buoyancy, to maintain contact with the buddy, and to monitor depth, time, and remaining gas throughout the dive. In case of incapability to practice these basic diving skills, candidates will be excluded from the dive training of the course (keeping the right to attend any non-diving activities and receive a certificate of attendance or to participate in the next cycle of the programme after having remediated their skills).

Participants should have access to a computer with internet access and administrative rights (for the installation of software) and a personal email account. For the course’s diving activities, each participant should bring hers/his personal diving equipment including the following:

• Fins, mask, and snorkel
• Buoyancy control device (BCD) with tank mount or separate backpack, and low-pressure inflator
• Primary regulator and alternate air source
• Breathing gas monitoring device (e.g., submersible pressure gauge)
• Depth monitoring device
• Adequate exposure protection appropriate for local dive conditions.
• At least one audible emergency surface signaling device (whistle, air horn, etc.).
• Dive Planning tables and timing device (e.g., bottom timer), or dive computer
• Dive knife or cutting tool
• Compass

The course consists of an introductory section, three main sections, and one workshop.

The introduction will be performed during an online meeting and will be open to all applicants. During this section the course outline will be presented, and the digital training material will be provided. The duration of this section is 1 hour.

A knowledge development section will be performed online with lectures followed by discussions on the presented topics. Online meetings will be recorded and will be available to the participants for post-viewing, until the end of the course. The total duration of this section is 30 hours.

The skills development section will be performed in person and on site for carrying out dry and in-water exercises. The total duration of this section, including dive time, is 50 hours.

An online workshop will follow the skills development section, for the handling and processing of recorded data. The duration of this section is 2 hours.

The last section will be performed live for the practical application of the developed knowledge and skills in an open water environment (within the limitations of the participant’s dive training level). During this section will be assessed the basic diving skills and the overall performance of the participants. The duration of this section, including dive time and time for presentations, is 9 hours.

Course Description

The programme will provide the participants with:

• the link to the ScienceDIVER Student’s Manual (digital version available online)
• the links to the ScienceDIVER Demo Videos (available online)
• the links to the video recordings of the online meetings (available only for participants)
• the links to the Continuing Education Administrative Document and the Diver Medical form
• filled breathing gas tanks and weights (during the diving training)
• underwater writing slates, with pencils
• any specialized diving equipment (required for the training)
• any scientific instruments or tools (required for the training)
• any links for downloading specialized software (required for the training)

For the completion of the course, participants will be evaluated as follows:

• At the end of the knowledge development section, a series of questions will be given to answer (as a knowledge check). For each question not answered, the correct answer will be provided with any necessary explanation or clarification.
• Prior to participation in any other dive training activity, a dive session will be organized to assess basic diving skills (appropriate use and care of personal diving equipment, buoyancy control, maintaining contact with a buddy and monitoring depth, time, and remaining gas throughout the dive).
• During the skills development section, participants will be continuously assessed on the application of underwater survey methods and procedures whilst maintaining basic diving skills.
• During the final practical application section, participants will be assigned a short term (mini) underwater survey project. Their overall performance will be assessed in relation to the technical report submitted and the presentation of the results.

The total payment of the tuition fee is required, before participating in any diving training activity. In case of incapability to participate in the dive training of the course, candidates are keeping the right to attend any non-diving activities or to participate in the next programme cycle.

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be awarded a Certificate of Completion and the PADI Underwater Survey Diver distinctive specialty certification.

Participants, who have attended but not completed successfully, will be awarded a Certificate of Attendance.

For further information, please contact the director of the programme

Name*: Kimon PAPADIMITRIOU

Tel*: +30 6955500107

Email*: paki@auth.gr