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General Information
Frequently
Asked Questions
How
Do I Become a NOAA Certified Diver?
Who May Attend NOAA Diving Center Training Courses?
What Are the Medical Prerequisites for NOAA
Diving Center Traning Courses?
Online Resources (External Web Sites)
Where Can I Stay Near the NOAA Diving Center?
How Can I Get to the the NOAA Diving Center?
Where Can I Order
Diving & Hyperbaric
Medicine-Related Texts?
What are some disqualifying medical history and physical conditions?
How
Do I Become a NOAA Certified Diver?
All
NOAA employees or contracted employees required to dive as part
of their official duties must be certified by the NOAA Diving
Program (NDP). Certification is obtained by successfully completing
an official NDP diver training program. The training opportunities
described in this announcement will meet the requirements for
NOAA diving certification as outlined in NAO 209-123 and are open
to all qualified NOAA employees.
More
information about how to become a NOAA employee is available at
the NOAA WASC Public Resource
Center web site.
 Also, see the Training Request
and Authorization Form (Acrobat PDF file).
The
NOAA Diving Regulations require the following for those who are
currently NOAA or contracted employees:
.04
Training, Certification and Authorization to Dive
a.
Since NOAA programs frequently require competent underwater
operations, there is a continuing need for experienced NOAA
divers. LO Diving Officers/NMAO Fleet Diving Officer shall,
with the various base and Installation Directors, analyze diving
needs. When demonstrated needs dictate that additional divers
are necessary to fulfill operational requirements, personnel
shall be selected and trained. Employees who apply for training
and/or certifications must be volunteers.
b.
NOAA personnel may apply for NOAA Diving certification through
UDS’s, LO Diving Officers/NMAO Fleet Diving Officer, and
the DNDP.
c.
Non-NOAA personnel may apply for diving certification through
the NOAA Diving Center or a UDS of a NOAA facility sponsoring
the non-NOAA personnel.
d.
All applicants for diver training must:
1.
complete physical examinations. Examinations are not approved
until reviewed by NOAA Diving Program-authorized health care
providers; and
2.
demonstrate the following swimming exercises, without aid,
to UDS’s, or their designees, showing a reasonable degree
of confidence and good water skills:
(a)
swim 550 yards (500 meters), without aid, using two or more
of the following strokes; crawl, sidestroke and breaststroke;
(b)
swim, without aid, a distance of 25 yards (22 meters) underwater
without surfacing; and
(c)
stay afloat, without aid, for 30 minutes.
e.
Initial diver training for approved applicants shall be accomplished
through the following programs:
1.
official NOAA Diving Program courses; and
2.
diver training programs approved by the DNDP.
f.
Both NOAA and non-NOAA personnel with prior training and experience
shall submit proof of dive training and experience to a UDS
for evaluation. Consideration for NOAA Working Diver or Working
Diver-equivalent certifications, based on prior diver training
and experience, requires proof of extensive training (i.e. military
or commercial diver training programs or equivalent) and experience
(number and type of dives performed). UDS's shall:
1.
assemble the required documentation that includes: proof of
diving certification, current CPR, first aid and oxygen delivery
system training, diving resume and/or dive logs;
2.
administer a NOAA Diving Program written examination; and
3.
review the applicants' medical documents for completeness
and forward them to the NOAA Diving Center.
4.
Upon approval of the applicants' diving physicals by the NOAA
Diving Center, UDS's or designee shall:
(a)
conduct evaluations of water skills and observe checkout
dives with the applicants consistent with the standards
for NOAA Diver certifications; and
(b)
forward their recommendations for NOAA certifications or
training levels to LO Diving Officers/NMAO Fleet Diving
Officer for review.
5.
If determined that applicants require additional training,
such training will be specified by the DNDP with concurrence
of the LO Diving Officers/NMAO Fleet Diving Officer.
6.
Individuals must successfully complete a NOAA-sponsored or
approved training program to receive NOAA or NOAA-equivalent
certification at the Working Diver level.
g.
All applicants for NOAA Diving certifications shall pass a standard
NOAA written examination. Passing scores for each part shall
be 80 percent. Failure to pass all sections of the examination
after three attempts may be grounds for termination of further
certification efforts. Examinations administered by UDS’s,
or designees, shall be forwarded to the NOAA Diving Center for
grading upon completion.
h.
Upon satisfactory completion and approval of medical examinations,
training requirements, written examinations, and appropriate
skills evaluations, NOAA employees and non-NOAA personnel shall
be considered for NOAA (or NOAA-equivalent) dive authorization/certifications
by the DNDP, in one of the following categories:
1.
Trainee Diver.
(a)
passed the NOAA Diver written examination;
(b)
logged less than 25 dives and/or;
(c)
failed to demonstrate levels of diving proficiencies required
for NOAA certification. Trainees are not authorized to perform
task-oriented dives and must be accompanied by a certified
NOAA diver, who, also, is not performing work.
2.
Scientific Diver Certification.
(a)
certified by a recognized scuba diving agency above the
basic entry level (i.e. advanced, divemaster, assistant
instructor, instructor) or proof of substantial diving experience,
as determined by the UDS and LODO/FDO.
(b)
passed the NOAA Scientific Diver written examination;
(c)
completed a minimum of 25 logged dives;
(d)
completed one or more dives with NOAA diving instructors,
NOAA UDS's, or designees; and
(e)
demonstrated proficiencies to carry out assigned underwater
scientific tasks, as outlined by CFR title 29 section 1910.402,
which states:
i.
the tasks of a scientific diver are those of observer
and data gatherer. The sole purpose for diving is to perform
scientific research tasks; and
ii.
construction and troubleshooting tasks traditionally associated
with commercial diving are not included within scientific
diving.
3.
Working Diver Certification.
(a)
completed the NOAA Working Diver training course, or equivalent,
as determined by the DNDP;
(b)
completed a minimum of 25 logged dives;
(c)
completed one or more dives with NOAA diving instructors,
NOAA UDS's, or designees; and
(d)
demonstrated proficiencies to carry out assigned underwater
scientific and operational tasks as determined by the DNDP,
or designee.
4.
Advanced Working Diver Certification.
(a)
employed by NOAA and certified as a Working Diver;
(b)
completed a minimum of 150 logged dives as a working diver;
(c)
completed a NOAA Divemaster course, or equivalent, as determined
by the DNDP;
(d)
completed two or more dives with UDS's; and
(e)
obtained experience in a variety of diving conditions and
has demonstrated competent supervision of a range of diving
operations. Certification is contingent upon the submission
and approval of the divers' resumes to the respective UDS's,
LO Diving Officers/NMAO Fleet Diving Officer; and the DNDP.
5.
Master Diver Certification.
(a)
emploted by NOAA and certified as an Advanced Working Diver;
(b)
completed a minimum of 150 logged dives as an Advanced Working
Diver;
(c)
possess a broad range of diving-related experience, supervision;
and
(d)
possess special expertise in several areas of diving. Certifications
are contingent upon review of the candidate's dive resume
by the diver's respective UDS and the LO Diving Officers/NMAO
Fleet Diving Officer, as well as one other LO Diving Officer/NMAO
Fleet Diving Officer, and the DNDP.
i.
NOAA Diver certification and authorization to dive shall be
issued by the DNDP. The DNDP shall issue Divers' Identification
Cards and Letters of Certification or Authorization to divers
with copies to the LO Diving Officers/NMAO Fleet Diving Officer,
the UDS's, and to the NOAA Diving Center. (NOTE: These files
are subject to the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974.)
j.
All diving authorizations shall lapse after 6 weeks without
a dive, or upon the expiration date of the last-approved NOAA
diving physical examination.
k.
Temporary authorization to dive at the working diver certification
level may be granted to individuals meeting certification requirements
as determined by the LO Diving Officers/NMAO Fleet Diving Officer
and DNDP. The authorization is valid for 6 months and may be
extended for one additional 6-month period. Requests for extension
are submitted by UDS's. through the respective LO Diving Officer/NMAO
Fleet Diving Officer, to the DNDP for approval.
l.
NOAA diving certifications may be suspended for cause by UDS's,
LO Diving Officer/NMAO Fleet Diving Officer, or DNDP. Violations
of this Order, lack of good judgment, or failure to meet requirements
for authorization within a reasonable time-frame of 6 months
will be considered just cause. Divers shall be informed in writing
of the reasons for the suspensions and will be given the opportunity
to appeal the suspensions to the NDSB.
m.
The DNDP may recertify divers whose certifications have been
suspended after the divers have again completed the requirements
for certification.
n.
NOAA-certified divers shall undergo yearly refresher training
in oxygen administration, recognition and treatment of diving
accidents and injuries, dive resuce, decompression tables, and
in-water diving emergency skills. CPR and First Aid refresher
training shall be completed per certification agency guidelines.
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Who May Attend NOAA Diving Center Training
Courses?
NOAA, NOAA
-contractors, other federal, state, and local government employees.
Courses are not open to the general public.
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What
Are the Medical Prerequisites for NOAA Diving Center Training
Courses?
NOAA
Administrative Order 209-123, Section 5.15 b, and c outlines
prerequisites for diver training and medical criteria which must
be satisfied before the candidate is approved for training. The
medical examination is the responsibility of the individual diver
candidate and the respective command or sponsoring unit.
Medical Forms
NAO
209-123
SECTION 7. PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS.
.01
Before acceptance for initial divers’ training or certifications,
at specified age intervals, or following major illness or injury,
divers shall be required to undergo diving physical examinations.
In order to ensure examinations are appropriate for the type
of diving activities in which the individual may be involved,
divers shall provide their examining physicians with the following:
a.
NOAA Form 56-57, NOAA Diving Program - Medical Evaluation
Checklist;
b.
SF-88, Report of Medical Examination, or NOAA Form 56-60,
NOAA Diving Medical Evaluation Report;
c.
SF-93, Report of Medical History, or NOAA Form 56-58, NOAA
Diving Medical History Report;
d.
Body Composition Screening Form.
.02
After initial diving physical examinations, subsequent examinations
will be completed at the following intervals unless otherwise
specified by the NOAA Diving Center:
a.
once every 5 years to age 49;
b.
once every 2 years from age 50 to 59; and
c.
annually age 60 and older.
.03
Completed Annual Medical History Forms (NOAA form 56-59) must
be submitted to NDC, as described in section 7.04, by March
01 each year by every diver under age 60. Failure to submit
this form may result in suspension of diving privileges.
.04
Upon receipt of the completed medical documents/results from
examining physicians, divers shall be responsible for distribution
of these forms as follows:
a.
signed originals or legible copies shall be forwarded to the
NOAA Diving Center through UDS's; and
b.
copies of all forms shall be retained by individuals for personal
records or to provide additional copies.
.05
In any instances where individuals do not meet established physical
standards, or in any instances where there are questions about
individuals' medical qualifications for diving, the DNDP may
consider waivers based on a review of these cases from the NDMRB,
which shall render its medical opinion and recommendations promptly.
.06
Based upon the opinion or recommendations of the NDMRB, the
DNDP may:
a.
refuse waivers;
b.
approve waivers and certify fitness for full diving duty;
or
c.
approve waivers and restrict diving duty as appropriate.
.07
Waivers shall only be approved for conditions that are not significantly
disabling and do not constitute significant threats to the individuals
or fellow divers.
.08
If waivers are granted after consultation, the NDMRB shall be
notified in writing 30 days before commencement of the waivers,
stating the reasons for overriding the NDMRB's recommendations.
NAO
209-123, NOAA Diving Program, dated April 12, 1991, is superseded.
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What are some disqualifying medical history and physical conditions?
NOAA Diving Exclusions and Qualifications (PDF file)
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On-Line
Resources (external web sites)
Career
Opportunities:
Marine
Science Laboratories and Institutions:
NOAA
Links:
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Where
Can I Stay Near the NOAA Diving Center? (external web sites)
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How
Can I Get to the NOAA Diving Center? (external web sites)
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Where
Can I Order Diving & Hyperbaric Medicine-Related Texts? (external web sites)
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