VIMS Dive Team
Sample Diving Program Training Schedule
The following schedule contains training opportunities for existing Dive Team members and new applicants. Participation requires (at a minimum) the payment of the user fee and, for underwater components, an approved diving medical exam. Class space is limited. Those that involve open water diving are also subject to funding limitations, particularly those that involve travel. Attendance by itself does not constitute successful class completion. Please contact the [[wreisner, Diving Safety Office]] with questions.
The two categories which follow are for existing diver and new diver
Existing Diver
First Aid, oxygen administration and CPR are now required of all divers. These classes are conducted by the Safety Office. CPR is usually held the 1st Wednesday of each month. Contact the Safety Office for registration in those classes. The classes which follow are through the Diving Safety Office. All classes are limited to a maximum of 5 participants or a minimum of 2.
- Dive Table refresher
- March (0900-1200) classroom
- Dive Computer use
- March (0900-1200) classroom
- Limited visibility
- April (0800-1300) pool or tower
- June (0800-1300) open water
- June (0800-1300) open water
- Underwater video
- July (0900-1200) classroom
- July (0900-1300) pool or open water
- Underwater photography
- August (0900-1200) classroom
- August (0900-1300) pool or open water
- Dry suit/cold water
- Class #1
- November (0800-1200) classroom
- November (0800-1300) pool or tower
- November (0800-1400) open water
- Class #2
- December (0800-1200) classroom
- December (0800-1300) pool or tower
- December (0800-1400) open water
- Class #1
*****Class descriptions available from Diving Safety Office*****
New Diver
Divers must have a MINIMUM of 100 hrs. of training beyond basic SCUBA certification to be authorized as scientific divers (AAUS Standards, 1997). Until the required hours have been met, a diver is considered a scientific diver-in-training, and is to be under the strict supervision of an authorized scientific diver at all times. The number of credit hours for each of the following training components is shown. The number of training hours required of each applicant will be determined by the experience summary submitted by the applicant, but it MUST include the orientation, written exam, swim test, open water checkout, CPR, first aid, and oxygen administration. Credit will be given (at the rate shown) for current certifications provided upon application.
- Program orientation - 2 hrs.
- April (0900-1100)
- September (0900-1100)
- Written exam review - 2 hrs.
- April (0900-1100)
- September (0900-1100)
- Written Exam - 3 hrs.
- May (0900-1200)
- September (0900-1200)
- Swim test/SCUBA checkouts (pool) - 4 hrs.
- May (0900-1300)
- September (0900-1300)
- Open water checkouts (bay, river, lake, 2 dives) - 4 hrs.
- May (0900-1400)
- October (0900-1400)
- CPR (1st Wed. each month, Safety Office) - 2 hrs.
- First Aid, emergency procedures (Safety Office) - 16 hrs.
- Oxygen administration (Safety Office) - 2 hrs.
- 12 supervised open water dives (10 if two dives done above, 2 hrs. credit/dive) - 20 hrs.
In addition to the required 55 hrs. above, applicants whose diving intentions include the following activities will be required to provide (or obtain) Advanced SCUBA certifications, or document experience equivalent to this level of certification.
- 1) Chesapeake Bay or tidal river diving in high current or black water conditions.
- 2) diving beyond 60 ft. depth, regardless of location
- 3) prolonged or repetitive exposure to waters colder than 50 degrees F (advanced certification or equivalent experience is a prerequisite to dry suit training).
Due to budgetary constraints within the program, the Diving Control Board is currently of the opinion that any costs associated with advanced training/certification (only) be shared with the departments/programs that will benefit from the training.
The credit hours for advanced certification or equivalent experience is 40 hours plus the hours required of all applicants (55 hrs.) TOTALING 95 hrs.
The balance of required training to meet the 100 hrs. AAUS minimum can be selected from the following, based on the applicant's diving intentions. These classes are on the existing diver schedule, and are on a space-available basis for new applicants.
- Cold Water - 2 hrs.
- Dry suit - 12 hrs.
- Limited visibility - 6 hrs.
- Dive table refresher - 2 hrs.
- Dive computers - 2 hrs.
- Underwater video - 2 hrs.
- Underwater photography - 2 hrs.
