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SECTION 1.00

GENERAL POLICY

FOREWORD

Since 1951 the scientific diving community has endeavored to promote safe, effective diving through self-imposed diver training and education programs. Over the years, manuals for diving safety have been circulated between organizations, revised and modified for local implementation, and have resulted in an enviable safety record.

This document represents the minimal safety standards for scientific diving at the present day. As diving science progresses so shall this manual, and it is the responsibility of every member of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) to see that it always reflects state of the art, safe diving practice. Guidelines for diving technologies sanctioned by AAUS but not included in this manual, e.g., Nitrox Diving, Aquarium Diving, Staged Decompression Diving, Saturation Diving, and Mixed Gas Diving (http://www.aaus.org), may be added to future revisions of this manual as that diving technique becomes necessary.

The policies, procedures and standards set forth in this Scientific Diving Safety Manual are intended to govern the training and diving operations of all personnel participating in the Scientific Diving Program at the University of Alaska (UA). It applies to all divers operating under UA auspices, including visiting divers, and to those UA Fairbanks, UA Anchorage, and UA Southeast campus officers responsible for the administration of this scuba program.

1.10 THE SCIENTIFIC DIVING STANDARDS

1.11 Purpose

The purpose of these Scientific Diving Standards is to ensure that all scientific diving is conducted in a manner that will maximize protection of scientific divers from accidental injury and/or illness, and to set forth standards for training and certification which will allow a working reciprocity between UA and other American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS)-recognized scientific diving programs. Fulfillment of the purposes shall be consistent with the furtherance of research and safety.

This standard sets minimal standards for the establishment of the UA scientific diving program, the organization for the conduct of this program, and the basic regulations and procedures for safety in scientific diving operations. It also establishes a framework for reciprocity between AAUS organizational members that adhere to these minimum standards.

This manual been modified from the procedures developed and written by the AAUS by compiling the policies set forth in the diving manuals of several university, private, and governmental scientific diving programs. These programs share a common heritage with the scientific diving program at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO). Adherence to the SIO standards has proven both feasible and effective in protecting the health and safety of scientific divers since 1954.

In 1982, OSHA exempted scientific diving from commercial diving regulations (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart T) under certain conditions which are outlined below. The final guidelines for the exemption became effective in 1985 (Federal Register, Vol. 50, No.6, p.1046). The AAUS is recognized by OSHA as the scientific diving standard-setting organization.

1.12 Scientific Diving Definition

Scientific diving is defined (29 CFR 1910.402) as diving performed solely as a necessary part of a scientific, research, or educational activity by employees whose sole purpose for diving is to perform scientific research tasks.

1.13 Scientific Diving Exemption

OSHA has granted an exemption for scientific diving from commercial diving regulations under the following guidelines (Appendix B to 29CFR1910 Subpart T):

1.13.1 The UA Diving Control Board (DCB) consists of a majority of active scientific divers and has autonomous and absolute authority over the scientific diving program's operation.

1.13.2 The purpose of any project using scientific diving is the advancement of science; therefore, information and data resulting from any project are non-proprietary.

1.13.3 The tasks of a scientific diver are those of an observer and data gatherer. Construction and trouble-shooting tasks traditionally associated with commercial diving are not included within scientific diving.

1.13.4 Scientific divers, based on the nature of their activities, must use scientific expertise in studying the underwater environment and therefore, are scientists or scientists-in-training.

1.13.5 In addition, the UA scientific diving program shall contain at least the following elements (29CFR1910.401):

1.13.5.1 Diving safety manual which includes at a minimum: Procedures covering all diving operations specific to the program; including procedures for emergency care, recompression and evacuation; and the criteria for diver training and certification.

1.13.5.2 Diving control (safety) board, with the majority of its members being active scientific divers, which shall at a minimum have the authority to: approve and monitor diving projects, review and revise the diving safety manual, assure compliance with the manual, certify the depths to which a diver has been trained, take disciplinary action for unsafe practices, and assure adherence to the buddy system (a diver is accompanied by and is in continuous contact with another diver in the water) for scuba diving.

1.14 Review of Standards

As part of UA’s annual report, any recommendations for modifications of these standards shall be submitted to the AAUS for consideration.

1.20 OPERATIONAL CONTROL

1.21 Organizational Member Auspices Defined

For the purposes of these standards the auspices of UA includes any scientific diving operation in UA is connected because of ownership of any equipment used, locations selected, or relationship with the individual(s) concerned. This includes all cases involving the operations of employees of UA or employees of auxiliary organizations, where such employees are acting within the scope of their employment, and the operations of other persons who are engaged in scientific diving of UA or are diving as members of an organization recognized by UA.

It is UA’s responsibility to adhere to the AAUS Standards for Scientific Diving Certification and Operation of Scientific Diving Programs. The administration of the local diving program will reside with UA’s DCB.

The regulations herein shall be observed at all locations where scientific diving is conducted.

1.22 UA Scientific Diving Standards and Safety Manual

UA maintains a scientific diving safety manual that provides for the development and implementation of policies and procedures that will enable the dive program to meet requirements of local environments and conditions as well as to comply with the AAUS scientific diving standards. The UA scientific diving standards shall include, but not be limited to:

1.22.1 The AAUS Standards may be used as a set of minimal guidelines for the development of UA’s scientific diving safety manual.

1.22.2 Emergency evacuation and medical treatment procedures.

1.22.3 Criteria for diver training and certification.

1.22.4 Standards written or adopted by reference for each diving mode utilized which include the following:

1.22.4.1 Safety procedures for the diving operation.

1.22.4.2 Responsibilities of the dive team members.

1.22.4.3 Equipment use and maintenance procedures.

1.22.4.4 Emergency procedures.

1.23 The Diving Safety Officer

The Diving Safety Officer (DSO) serves as a member of the Diving Control Board. This person should have broad technical and scientific expertise in research related diving.

1.23.1 Qualifications

1.23.1.1 Shall be appointed by the responsible administrative officer or his/her designee, with the advice and counsel of the diving control board.

1.23.1.2 Shall be trained as a scientific diver.

1.23.1.3 Shall be a full member as defined by the AAUS.

1.23.1.4 Shall be an active underwater instructor from a nationally recognized agency.

1.23.2 Duties and Responsibilities

1.23.2.1 Shall be responsible, through the DCB, to the responsible administrative officer or his/her designee, for the conduct of the UA scientific diving program. The routine operational authority for this program, including the conduct of training and certification, approval of dive plans, maintenance of diving records, and ensuring compliance with this manual and all relevant regulations of UA, rests with the Diving Safety Officer.

1.23.2.2 May permit portions of this program to be carried out by a qualified delegate, although the Diving Safety Officer may not delegate responsibility for the safe conduct of the local diving program.

1.23.2.3 Shall be guided in the performance of the required duties by the advice of the DCB, but operational responsibility for the conduct of the local diving program will be retained by the Diving Safety Officer.

1.23.2.4 Shall suspend diving operations which he/she considers to be unsafe or unwise.

1.24 The Diving Control Board

1.24.1 The Diving Control Board (DCB) shall consist of a majority of active scientific divers. Voting members shall include the Diving Safety Officer, the responsible administrative officer, or his/her designee, and should include other representatives of the diving program such as qualified divers and members selected by procedures established by UA. A chair-person and a secretary may be chosen from the membership of the board according to local procedure.

1.24.2 Has autonomous and absolute authority over the scientific diving program's operation.

1.24.3 Shall approve and monitor diving projects.

1.24.4 Shall review and revise the diving safety manual.

1.24.5 Shall assure compliance with the manual.

1.24.6 Shall certify the depths to which a diver has been trained.

1.24.7 Shall take disciplinary action for unsafe practices.

1.24.8 Shall assure adherence to the buddy system for scuba diving.

1.24.9 Shall act as the official representative of UA in matters concerning the scientific diving program.

1.24.10 Shall act as a board of appeal to consider diver-related problems.

1.24.11 Shall recommend the issue, reissue, or the revocation of diving certifications.

1.24.12 Shall recommend changes in policy and amendments to the AAUS and UA’s scientific diving manual as the need arises.

1.24.13 Shall establish and/or approve training programs through which the applicants for certification can satisfy the requirements of UA’s diving safety manual.

1.24.14 Shall suspend diving programs which it considers to be unsafe or unwise.

1.24.15 Shall establish criteria for equipment selection and use.

1.24.16 Shall recommend new equipment or techniques.

1.24.17 Shall establish and/or approve facilities for the inspection and maintenance of diving and associated equipment.

1.24.18 Shall ensure that UA’s air station(s) meet air quality standards as described in Section 3.60 of this manual.

1.24.19 Shall periodically review the Diving Safety Officer's performance and program.

1.24.20 Shall sit as a board of investigation to inquire into the nature and cause of diving accidents or violations of UA’s diving manual.

1.25 Instructional Personnel

1.25.1 Qualifications - All personnel involved in diving instruction under the auspices UA shall be qualified for the type of instruction being given.

1.25.2 Selection - Instructional personnel will be selected by the responsible administrative officer, or his/her designee, who will solicit the advice of the DCB in conducting preliminary screening of applicants for instructional positions.

1.26 Lead Diver

For each dive, one individual shall be designated as the Lead Diver. He/she shall be at the dive location during the diving operation. The Lead Diver shall be responsible for:

1.26.1 Coordination with other known activities in the vicinity which are likely to interfere with diving operations.

1.26.2 Ensuring all dive team members possess current certification and are qualified for the type of diving operation.

1.26.3 Planning dives in accordance with section 2.21

1.26.4 Ensuring safety and emergency equipment is in working order and at the dive site.

1.26.5 Briefing the dive team members on:

1.26.5.1 Dive objectives.

1.26.5.2 Unusual hazards or environmental conditions likely to affect the safety of the diving operation.

1.26.5.3 Modifications to diving or emergency procedures necessitated by the specific diving operation.

1.26.6 Suspending diving operations if in his/her opinion conditions are not safe.

1.26.7 Reporting to the DSO and DCB any physical problems or adverse physiological effects including symptoms of pressure-related injuries.

1.27 Reciprocity And Visiting Scientific Diver

1.27.1 Two or more AAUS Organizational Members engaged jointly in diving activities, or engaged jointly in the use of diving resources, shall designate one of the participating Diving Control Boards to govern the joint dive project.

1.27.2 A scientific diver from one Organizational Member shall apply for permission to dive under the auspices of another Organizational Member by submitting to the Diving Safety Officer of the host Organizational Member a document containing all the information described in Appendix 6 (Letter of Reciprocity) signed by the Diving Safety Officer or Chairperson of the home Diving Control Board.

1.27.3 A visiting scientific diver may be asked to demonstrate his/her knowledge and skills for the planned diving.

1.27.4 If a host Organizational Member denies a visiting scientific diver permission to dive, the host Diving Control Board shall notify the visiting scientific diver and his/her Diving Control Board with an explanation of all reasons for the denial.

1.28 Waiver of Requirements

The UA Diving Control Board may grant a waiver for specific requirements of training, examinations, depth certification, and minimum activity to maintain certification.

1.29 Consequence of Violation of Regulations by Scientific Divers

Failure to comply with the regulations of UA’s diving manual may be cause for the revocation or restriction of the diver's scientific diving certificate by action of UA’s Diving Control Board.

1.30 CONSEQUENCES OF VIOLATION OF REGULATIONS BY ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERS

Failure to comply with the regulations of this standard may be cause for the revocation or restriction of UA’s recognition by the AAUS.

1.40 RECORD MAINTENANCE

The Diving Safety Officer or his/her designee shall maintain permanent records for each individual scientific diver certified. The file shall include evidence of certification level, log sheets, results of current physical examination, reports of disciplinary actions by UA’s Diving Control Board, and other pertinent information deemed necessary.

1.40.1 Availability of Records:

1.40.1.1 Medical records shall be available to the attending physician of a diver or former diver when released in writing by the diver.

1.40.1.2 Records and documents required by this standard shall be retained by UA for the following period:

1.40.1.2.1 Physician's written reports of medical examinations for dive team members - 5 years.

1.40.1.2.2 Manual for diving safety - current document only.

1.40.1.2.3 Records of dive - 1 year, except 5 years where there has been an incident of pressure-related injury.

1.40.1.2.4 Pressure-related injury assessment or death - 5 years.

1.40.1.2.5 Equipment inspection and testing records - current entry or tag, or until equipment is withdrawn from service.