Florida Tech is an organizational member of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) . In addition to other benefits, adherence to AAUS standards provides exemption from OSHA workplace requirements for commercial divers as well as, diver reciprocity with other AAUS organizational members. Any Florida Tech faculty, staff or student engaging in dive operations utilizing compressed air or air blends (SCUBA and/or surface supplied) for any activities that involve teaching or research, must meet diving safety standards as prescribed by AAUS and the Florida Tech Science Diving Safety Program. Purely recreational diving activities are exempt from AAUS requirements but participants in any Florida Tech sponsored recreational dive event must adhere to the Florida Tech Recreational Dive Club by-laws. The Scientific Diving Program is governed by a Dive Control Board (DCB) and training/dive plan approvals are administered by the Florida Tech Dive Safety Officer (DSO) – Mr. Tim Fletcher.
Program Requirements
The Florida Tech Dive Safety Manual covers all aspects of the Scientific Dive Safety program and includes all necessary forms and appendices. Florida Tech Science Diving Program participants must meet, as a minimum, the following Science Diving program requirements:
- Complete a Dive Card Application (appendix 10.3)
- Complete a Scientific Diver Physical Examination/History (appendices 1-3)
- Provide copies of all recreational dive certifications
- Provide a copy of a DAN dive insurance policy
- Provide a copy of your normal medical insurance
- Complete an Emergency Contact information form (appendix 10.4)
- Provide copies of current certification in First Aid, CPR, AED, O2 administration, First Aid for Hazardous Marine Life Injuries and Onsite Neurological Exam
- Provide copies of current certification in OSHA HAZMAT for high pressure cylinders
- Provide copies of receipts proving that regulators, BCDs and depth/pressure gauge (or computer) have been serviced within the last year
- Provide copies of receipts proving that cylinders (tanks) have been hydrostatically tested within the last 5 years and visually inspected within the last year
- Complete the FIT/AAUS swim test/evaluation 9section 4 of dive safety manual)
- Complete the FIT/AAUS confined water SCUBA evaluation (section 4 of dive safety manual)
- Complete the FIT/AAUS open water SCUBA evaluation (section 4 of dive safety manual)
- Complete 11 additional open water training dives covering a variety of different scientific diving disciplines (section 5 of dive safety manual)
- Complete the FIT/AAUS written scientific dive safety exam
Training
All dive training activities are to be entered in a dive training activity log and dive program candidates must obtain a minimum of 100 hours of training. Additionally, you must have your open water certification (as a minimum) prior to beginning scientific dive training. Otherwise, all necessary training is provided in-house by the DSO. The cost for all of the training is $500. For this fee, you will receive:
- Use of a regulator set, BCD and cylinders for the duration of the training
- Air fills for cylinders for the duration of the training
- Transportation to and from the lake used for open water scientific dive training
- Training manuals for First Aid/CPR/AED/First AId for Hazardous Marine Life Injuries/Onsite Neurological Exam
- Training manuals/application fees for PADI Rescue and NITROX certifications
- Training materials for OSHA HAZMAT for high-pressure cylinders certification
To register for scientific dive training contact the Office of Continuing Education at (321) 674-8382 • Option 2
What You Need To Provide
Participants are required to provide:
- Mask, fins, snorkel and wetsuit.
- The cost of your Dive Medical ($175 through the campus health center)
- The cost of your DAN dive insurance ($59-$99 depending on the plan you choose)
- The cost of your annual gear service (if you own your own gear)
Local Dive Vendors:
About Certification
Once Science Diver certification has been obtained, all scientific diving must be conducted under approved dive plans (appendix 10.1) and all dives must be logged online at the FIT/AAUS dive-logging site. Additionally, dive program participants are responsible for remaining current in the following areas:
- Diving Safety Medical Exam
- Under 40: Every 5 years
- 40-60: Every 3 years
- Over 60: Every 2 years
- First Aid/CPR/AED/First Aid for Hazardous Marine Life Injuries/Onsite Neurological Exam. Certifications obtained through the Florida Tech DSO are good for two years.
- DAN Insurance (annual)
- Dive equipment maintenance (annually for personally owned equipment)
- Divers must complete 12 scientific dives (under an approved dive plan) annually. At least one of those dives must be near the diver’s maximum depth rating and must be current within 6 months.
