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Scientific Diving Program

A VIMS diver conducts research.

The Scientific Diving Program at the Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences & Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) has supported the VIMS Dive Team with training, equipment, and oversight since 1983. As one of the founding members of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS), we adhere to AAUS Standards to ensure the safe and effective conduct of scientific diving operations. These operations are guided collaboratively by the VIMS Diving Control Board (DCB) and the Diving Safety Officer (DSO).

In addition to maintaining rigorous safety and operational standards, the program includes a comprehensive AAUS scientific diver training program, developed to prepare divers for the unique demands of scientific research. This program provides foundational training in scientific diving techniques, safety protocols, and research applications, equipping divers to meet the highest standards of underwater research.

Our scientific divers frequently work in the environmentally dynamic waters of the Chesapeake Bay and the coastal lagoons of the Delmarva Peninsula. Their projects encompass a broad range of activities, including:

  •       Seagrass and oyster reef ecology: Monitoring and restoration efforts to support ecosystem health.
  •       Fish tagging and behavioral studies: Advancing knowledge of species habits and movements.
  •       Coring and sampling programs: Investigating sediment layers and water quality indicators.

VIMS scientific divers also engage in collaborative projects with other AAUS organizational members both nationally and internationally. Through the AAUS framework of reciprocity, they contribute to and benefit from shared expertise and resources, further enhancing the impact of their research endeavors.
 

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Scientific Diving Certification

To become an AAUS Scientific Diver at VIMS, divers in training (DITs) must:

  • Be a supported faculty, staff, or student at VIMS or William & Mary
  • Hold a basic open-water SCUBA Certification from an approved agency
  • Fill out the VIMS Scientific Diver Application and return it to the DSO
  • Read and sign the VIMS Diving Assumption of Risk form
  • Complete the AAUS diving medical exam
  • Complete the following offered at VIMS that contribute to the overall 100-hour VIMS Scientific Diving Course:
    •         Diving First Aid for Professional Divers (DAN)
    •         VIMS/AAUS Swimming/Watermanship Evaluation
    •         VIMS/AAUS Confined Water SCUBA Requirements Evaluation
    •         VIMS/AAUS Open Water SCUBA Requirements Evaluation
    •         The Scientific Diver Certification course on the AAUS E-Learning platform
    •         The VIMS Scientific Diver Core Courses
      • Dive Planning and Safety
      • Specialized Environments and Conditions in Diving
      • Scientific Diving Procedures
  •         Training 100 hours with a minimum of 12 open-water dives
  •         Pay tuition for the course and an annual fee for the use of the VIMS Program equipment
  •         Once certified, pay the annual AAUS membership fee

For a complete list of the requirements, with details, see the VIMS Dive Safety Manual. Please direct any questions to the VIMS DSO.

Resources for Scientific Divers

  • Scientific Diving Training and Certification
  • Diving First Aid for Professional Divers (DAN) Certification
  • Other training and proficiency opportunities
  • DAN Emergency Oxygen Kits
  • Cylinders and air fills
  • Buoyancy Control Devices
  • Regulators
  • Dive Flags
  • Dive Weights
  • Other Dive Gear on a case-by-case basis