Dive Operations Plan Review and Approval

It is the responsibility of the Dive Science and Safety Program to review all dive operation plans submitted for approval. The plan should be submitted at least five days prior to undertaking a research dive to permit review. If the dive is in anyway an increased risk dive, such as a cave dive or a deep dive, or if conducted out of the USA, it should be submitted two weeks in advance, as it may require the entire board review it prior to approval or disapproval. The Dive Operations Plan (DOP) should clearly state the anticipated environmental conditions to be encountered, diver qualifications, and the risks anticipated, and the actions/plans formulated to minimize or cope with the risks noted. The DOP will be approved as an individual dive or dive period or as a blanket dive project good for a specific period of time. The maximum time any DOP is valid without up-date/renewal is one year.

Diver Qualifications Evaluation & Training

All new potential UF divers must complete a set of documents covering medical history, diving experience and training, liability waiver, a copy of their diver certification card, a Physical Exam, and a water skills and knowledge evaluation. These skills and knowledge exams are currently at the level of completion for open water scuba diver to permit new and recently trained divers to be placed into the Diver in Training (DIT) status. DIT’s will then undergo a 100-hour science diver training course, that increase the diver’s knowledge and skills to the level of an Advanced or even Master diver. All divers will also complete Diving First Aid (CPR, AED, First Aid, Oxygen Administration for the diver) or show proof of current certification).

Diver Training

Initial dive training may be with any Scuba training agency. Completion of the UF DSSP Science diver will provide the diver with Advanced Open Water (or Master Diver), Rescue Diver, Nitrox, and DFA Pro certifications. Specific skills such as use of Dry Suit, Surface Supplied Air, Overhead environment, etc., may be taught on request and as needed.

Program Activity Oversight

The DSSP is intended to provide a resource for the dive projects to obtain supplemental training, gear and services as qualifications and budget permits. The DSO is also available to participate in projects as on-sight Dive Safety Officer, diver, or safety diver. In some cases, references to additional cadre of divers can be arranged. Reciprocity letters are available to other institutions upon request.

Dive Computer Consideration

The DSSP highly recommends the use of Dive Computers for all science diving. Each diver must complete a knowledge test on their specific computer prior to being authorized to use said computer. Each diver must use their own dive computer to calculate their dive profiles (no sharing of dive computers between buddies) while on a dive.