Divers
trained by other organizations requesting NOAA Diving Program
certification may be certified at the level of Scientific Diver.
The purpose of this certification is to allow NOAA and non-NOAA
employees to perform scientific research tasks as outlined in
the OSHA Commercial Diving Regulations scientific diving exemption. Individuals seeking Scientific Certification
must be scientists or scientists-in-training and may only complete
underwater tasks consisting of observation and data collection.
Construction and trouble shooting tasks traditionally associated
with commercial and NOAA working diving, is prohibited.
Divers
trained by other organizations requesting NOAA Diving Program
certification may be certified at the level of Working Diver.
The purpose of this certification is to allow NOAA and non-NOAA
employees to perform working dives in support of program missions.
Individuals seeking Working certification must have completed
a NOAA Working Diver training course or an accredited commercial
or military diver training program. Individuals with outside training
must have logged a significant number of working dives as a commercial
or military diver and are required to complete a NOAA sponsored
or approved one-week training program.
The
following policy, guidelines and administrative procedures will
be followed when evaluating individuals trained by other organizations
for Scientific and Working Diver certification:
POLICY
#1
Regulation - NAO 209-123 Section (5.14e)
e.
Diving by Non-NOAA Certified Personnel.
Persons not included in a reciprocity agreement must submit
in advance, evidence of diving training and full medical qualifications,
as described in Section 5.15c. of this Order to the Line Office/NC
Fleet Diving Officer, or their designee, who will evaluate this
evidence with the standards required for NOAA certification
to determine equivalence with a level of NOAA certification.
Where sufficient doubt exists, this evidence shall be forwarded
to the Director, NOAA Diving Program (DNDP) for a decision.
In all cases only following medical
approval, shall a checkout dive be observed by the Line Office Diving
Officer/NC Fleet Diving Officer or their designee before beginning
diving operations.
Guideline
NON-NOAA trained personnel may receive NOAA certification following
successful completion of the following:
1.
Verification of diving training and experience. See Diving
Resume. Applicants for Scientific certification must be
certified from a nationally recognized training organization,
(NAUI, PADI, etc.) at a level higher than a basic. Applicants
for Working certification must have Commercial or Military dive
training.
2. Verification of current First Aid, CPR and oxygen delivery
training, (DAN)
3. Report of Medical Examination (SF88)
4. Report of Medical History (SF93)
5. NOAA Diver swimming/watermanship evaluation
6. Appropriate NOAA Diving written examination
7. Check-out dive(s) with UDS or designee
POLICY
#2
Regulation - NAO 209-123 Section (5.15b(b))
(b)
Following approval of physical examination, each applicant shall
demonstrate the following swimming exercises to the UDS, or
their designee, showing a noticeable degree of confidence and
good watermanship:
(1)
Swim five hundred (500) yards, using the crawl, sidestroke,
and/or breaststroke;
(2) Swim a distance of fifty (50) feet underwater without
surfacing; and
(3) stay afloat for thirty (30) minutes
Guideline
To be conducted without swimming aides or equipment in pool
or open water.
See Swimming Evaluation Form to
be completed by UDS or designee (Acrobat PDF file).
POLICY
#3
Regulation - NAO 209-123 Section (5.15e)
e.
Written Examination.
All applicants for NOAA certification shall pass a NOAA written
examination. Passing score for each part shall be eighty (80)
percent. Applicants failing any part must take a reexamination
of the failed part and have a subsequent score of ninety (90)
percent.
Guideline
Written examination must be administered and proctored by the Unit Diving Supervisor or designee. Examinations will
be sent to NDC for grading. Repeat examinations will be provided
by NDC. The scientific examination is based on outside training
agencies curriculum, (NAUI, PADI) with the exception of sections
on the NOAA diving regulations and decompression problems based
on the US. Navy Air Tables. The test consists of 100 multiple
choice questions on general diving knowledge and 25 decompression
problems.
The Working Diver examination is based on the NOAA Working Diver
training program. The test consists of 200 multiple choice questions
on general diving knowledge and 25 decompression problems based
on the US. Navy Air Tables.
POLICY
#4
Regulation - NAO 209-123 Section (5.15f)
f.
Diving Evaluation.
The prospective divers must demonstrate their proficiency and
skill in diving by making a checkout dive(s) with the appropriate
training course supervisor or designee.
Guideline
Initial checkout dive(s) should be conducted in a pool or shallow
(10-15ft) confined area. Subsequent checkout dives shall be
conducted in open water with candidate wearing full equipment
(gear to be used during unit/project operations). Test and evaluation
results will be documented on Report
of NOAA Checkout Dive form (Acrobat PDF file). The structure
of the checkout dive(s) shall follow the review items listed
on the form.
Equivalent certification was created to allow non-NOAA personnel
to participate in NOAA diving activities. It is not intended to
be used to gain access to other non-NOAA programs.
