Becoming a Scientific Diver

To dive as a Scientific Diver for UBC a diver must successfully complete the (CAUS I) Dive Safety Scientific Diver Course. This required classroom, pool, and ocean training meets the CAUS scientific diver competency requirements and allows for UBC researchers to collaborate with other research institutions. Interested divers should review the course requirements and contact the UBC Dive Safety Officer. (insert link) 

Entry Requirements to Become a Diver In Training 

Minimum entry requirements: 

• Complete the Introduction to Scientific Diving course (insert link) 
• Be minimum 19 years old 
• Possess a nationally recognized recreational SCUBA certification  
• Have minimum 5 open water dives 
• Possess a current and nationally recognized First Aid and CPR certification,  
• Have a current WorkSafeBC medical certification (insert link) 
• Provide evident of equipment maintenance 

Once you have completed the Introduction to Scientific Diving course you will receive your documentation package and a certificate of completion. You must submit your application including the certificate with all your entry requirements to the Dive Safety Officer. (insert link)

Getting Prepared for Diver In Training Activities 

Expectations: 

• Each cohort will be organized to begin and end within an academic term 
• You are commit to 15 days of diving 
• Each dive day will include 2 dives,  
• You must attend all of the sessions 
• Divers must provide all of their equipment and ensure it is in working order 
• Drysuit Certification is required to dive in our waters (contact dive.safety@ubc.ca) 
• Divers must arrange their own transportation to the dive site 
• All training is conducted during weekdays and daylight 
• Maximum diving depth: 18 m/60 ft 
• Must dive with DSO or authorized Scientific Diver I/II 
• Completion of the scientific dive theory course and exam with a minimum grade of 80% 
• Completion of a minimum of 25 logged dives with 15 hours of bottom time 
• Complete a practice Dive Project which is approved by the DSO 
• Act as the Diver in Charge (Dive Supervisor) for a minimum of one dive day for such project 

Dive Safety Training – Diver in Training (DIT) 

Prior to any open water activities: 

• Emergency Oxygen Provider course 
• 1-day course plus eLearning 
• Dive Accident Management course 
• 1 day in person / zoom 
• Practical application in the ocean 
• Opportunity to upgrade to a PADI Rescue Diver course (extra cost) 
• Dive theory 
• Online and in person 1 day 
• Pool Watermanship skills 
• Demonstrate a survival float/swim without any aids for a minimum of 20 minutes 
• Swim without aids (no fins etc) for 200 m 
• Swim with aids (mask, fin, snorkel) for 400 m 
• Conduct a head first skin dive to retrieve an object in 3 m of water. 

Ocean Dives 

• Minimum 25 ocean dives demonstrating competency according the UBC Dive Safety Manual (Insert link) 
• Dives follow sequence from basic skills to advanced scientific methods 
• Dive Accident Management skills practice is provided midway through the sequence 
• A minimum of 4 dives to 18 m / 60 ft under the direct supervision of the DSO 
• Practice plans start from dive 18 onwards. 
• Diver-in-charge practical: 
• Submit a Dive project plan for review 
• Act as a diver in charge for your own project 
• Do the logs and dive briefings 
• Review and implement EAP 
• More dives might be required until satisfactory competency has been demonstrated