Diving Science & Safety Program

To obtain authorization to use diving as a vehicle for research at the University of Florida, the Primary Investigator (PI) must submit a dive operations plan for the Dive Safety Board review, use authorized divers, and maintain a record of all dive activities. Underlined items are available on the Forms page.

1. Dive Operations Plan (DOP)

The dive plan consists of a cover sheet which identifies the PI, the dive master, the proposed sites and times scheduled, the environmental conditions anticipated, and the type of diving equipment to be used. An attached document should detail what scientific activity is to be done under water, what tools and equipment will be used, who will be diving, and list emergency responses to anticipated hazards that may exist with attendant rationale to prevent or respond to them.  Note, formatting the DOP may consist of the dive plan as an envelope around the research proposal, thus simplifying the composition.

2. Authorized Divers

Divers participating in the research project must be registered with the DSSP and meet AAUS qualifications. This will require minimally, diver certification, a medical exam, a medical history form, copies of "C" cards for diving, CPR, First Aid, and Oxygen Provider training, a liability waiver, and a dive history questionnaire.

3. Records

All dive activity will have a dive log kept which will reflect the dive profile of all dives made. This log will be signed by the dive master and the divers and submitted monthly to the DSSP. Any incident which may reflect a possible injury to the diver will incur a report also submitted to the DSSP. (LES form DWC-1). Any changes in the dive activity or staffing should have an addendum filed with the DSSP to document the change.

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