Prerequisites

All students enrolling in the OSI AAUS Scientific Diving course must have the following:

1. Completed application submitted to the Dive Office by the posted due date. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
2. Certification as an Open Water scuba diver, issued by a nationally recognized certification agency (NAUI, PADI, YMCA, SSI, etc.) with an additional 12 logged dives – a total minimum of 16 logged dives when you submit your application.
3. A minimum of 4 logged dives within the past year, 2 of which are within the last six months.
4. Proof of regulator, BC, gauge and computer testing/service within the last 12 months (form included in application Package). For new equipment the form must be completed, “no” under rebuild should be ticked and you must provide dated receipts in your name. A visual inspection of all dive equipment will be conducted on the first day. Equipment deemed “unsafe” or NOT in good working order, will not be allowed for use in the course.
5. Current Medical Examination for Scuba Diving; must be within one year (form included in application Package).
6. Proof of Dive Insurance – you are responsible for your medical coverage and most health insurance policies do not cover scuba diving. We require that you obtain dive insurance such as that provided by Divers Alert Network (DAN) diversalertnetwork.org. A list of providers can be found at sites.csulb.edu/scmi_new.
7. First Aid, O2 Administration, and Field Neurological training will be offered as part of the course. It is highly recommended that you participate in this section of the course, however if you can provide proof of current emergency response training per AAUS standards you may elect to waive this section.

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Swim Test and Confined Water Evaluation

There will be a swim test and confined water (SCUBA) evaluation conducted approximately 30 days prior to the beginning of practical training – you must pass both to attend this course.

It is highly recommended that you practice before attempting the swim test. The failure rate for those who do not is approximately 50%. This test will include:

1. 400 meter swim, within 12 minutes
2. Tread water continuously for 10 minutes, or 2 minutes without the use of hands.
3.  Underwater swim for a distance of 25 meters, without surfacing
4. Surface dive to 10’ to recover a swimmer on the bottom, and transport on the surface 25 meters.

Confined Water evaluation – candidates must demonstrate proficiency (defined as the ability to perform a skill without instruction) in the following basic SCUBA skills:

• Demonstrate proper self and buddy equipment check prior to water entry
• Enter and exit water while wearing scuba gear
• Demonstrate weight check at the surface
• Remove and Replace BCD at the surface and while submerged
• Remove and Replace weights at the surface and while submerged
• Disconnect low-pressure hose, orally inflate BCD, and reconnect low-pressure hose at the surface and while submerged
• Demonstrate proper descents and ascents
• Remove and replace mask while submerged
• Demonstrate regulator retrieval and clearing while submerged
• Demonstrate air sharing ascents as both donor and receiver
• Complete a simulated emergency swimming ascent
• Demonstrate ability to achieve and maintain neutral buoyancy while submerged
• Demonstrate the ability to maneuver efficiently in the environment, at and below the surface