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Maintaining AAUS Certification: OSI’s Active Diver Requirements

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Dive Physical

• FREQUENCY: A diving physical is required within the preceding 5 years (3 years if over the age of 40, 2 years if over the age of 60) from the last diving medical evaluation.
• FOLLOWING ANY MAJOR INJURY OR ILLNESS: Clearance to return to diving should be obtained from a physician following any major injury or illness or any possible contraindications to diving. Please refer to Medical Form I, Diving Medical Exam, Overview for the Examining Physician, page 4 of the OSI Medical Packet, List of Contraindications to Diving. Contact DAN and/or the OSI DSO if you have any questions concerning your fitness to dive.
• NOAA DIVE PHYSICAL: Please contact the DSO if you will need reciprocity with NOAA since they require you complete a different dive physical.

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Dive Logs

All research dives are to be logged into your online dive log monthly. During any 12-month period, each certified scientific diver shall log a minimum of 12 dives.  At least one dive must be logged near the maximum depth of the diver’s certification during each 6 month period. Failure to meet these requirements may be cause for revocation or restriction of certification.

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Depth Certification

To maintain your maximum depth certification, at least one dive to the depth of certification should be made during each six-month period.  Failure to meet this requirement may be cause for revocation or restriction of certification. Information about how to increase your current depth certification can be found under section 5.40 Depth Certifications, of the CSU/OSI Dive Safety Manual.

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Diving Emergency Care Training

Per current guidelines, recertification in Diving Emergency Care Training must be completed every 2 years. Training certificates are to be kept current with the OSI DSO. If you need recertification, please check contact the OSI DSO to sign up for an upcoming course.​

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Equipment

All equipment shall be regularly examined by the person using them. If your gear is past its inspection date you will need to submit a new Equipment Service Record prior to using it on a OSI project.   The OSI form and a list of local service providers is available on the OSI/SCMI website.​

• Regulators (1st & 2nd Stage), alternative air devices, hoses, gauges and BC are to be inspected (Bench/Service Check) at 12 month intervals and overhauled if required. The OSI Equipment Inspection Form should be completed by the repair technician and submitted to the Diving Safety Office annually.
• Scuba Cylinders: Must be hydrostatically tested in accordance with DOT standards and visual inspections are required every 12 months.

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Scientific Diver Status Levels

Active

Diver has current medical examination with no contraindications for diving, has current certification in First Aid and CPR, and has met the 12 dives per year, 1 dive per six month to max certification depth standard.

Inactive

Diver has let medical examination expire and/or has not maintained minimum dive frequency of 12 dives per year for over a year.  Reconsideration for Active dive status requires contacting the Diving Safety Office, updating your records and may require refresher training and/or a skills/academic evaluation.

Restricted

Special limitations are imposed on diving activities in which the diver may participate, e.g., restrictions due to the diver’s medical status or questionable skills.

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OSI Scientific Diver Classification Levels

Scientific Diver

Diver meets 100 hour training criteria w/12 logged training dives. A checkout dive may be required if not previously completed at the time of classification as a Trainee or via reciprocity from another research diving program.

Trainee

A newly trained scientific diver that has not completed the 12 required scientific dives. Individuals qualified at the Trainee level must dive with an active OSI scientific diver at all times.

Visiting Diver

Diver certified through reciprocity from another scientific diving program and must dive with an active OSI scientific diver.