Three Seas Scientific Diving
Scientific diving is defined by OSHA (29 CFR Part 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.
Northeastern University is one of 140 Organizational Members of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS), which has existed since 1983. The mission of AAUS is to advance and facilitate safe and productive scientific diving. AAUS produces consensual standards for the training and certification of scientific divers and the operation of scientific diving programs, maintains statistics detailing scientific diving activities and incident rates, conducts annual symposia and topical workshops, and directly supports student research. Northeastern has modeled its programs, education, and manual after the accepted scientific diving community standards. Scientific diving activities fall under the direct supervision of the Diving Safety Officer and Assistant Diving Safety Officer and are more broadly overseen by the Diving Control Board at Northeastern University.
For more information regarding Northeastern University’s scientific diving safety policies, please see the Standards for Scientific Diving manual HERE.
At the Marine Science Center, Diving Research Methods (EEMB 5589) is offered 1-2 times per year. This class is designed for Three Seas students and is at least partially block formatted. Northeastern faculty and students who require scientific diving for their research should reach out to the Diving Safety Officer to discuss training options.
EEMB 5589: Diving Research Methods
Professor: Marissa Varade, Three Seas Program Manager and Diving Safety Officer
Credits: 2
Description: A field-oriented course designed to introduce students who are certified SCUBA divers to current underwater research techniques used in the study of the biology, ecology, and physiology of subtidal marine organisms. Upon successful completion of the course, students are certified as scientific divers by the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS).
In order to participate in Diving Research Methods, students must be open water certified and have 10 total career dives. Certification dives can be counted towards total career dives. In order to meet this requirement, Northeastern undergraduates have the option of taking the Beginning Scuba course. Students from other institutions may have similar opportunities available. Otherwise, dives can be arranged through your local dive shop. Three Seas students interested in renting a drysuit from Northeastern may consider obtaining a drysuit certification to assist in reaching 10 total career dives.
Diving Medical and Insurance:
To participate in Diving Research Methods and scientific diving at Northeastern, students must supply a medical examination and evidence of medical insurance coverage. All students planning to SCUBA dive must have Diver’s Alert Network (DAN) insurance and submit the following paperwork to the Northeastern Diving Safety Officer.
Scientific Diving Rental Gear:
Students have the opportunity to rent SCUBA gear from Northeastern to use during Diving Research Methods and throughout the Three Seas program. The following gear is available to rent on a first come first serve basis:
- Buoyancy Compensator
- Regulator
- Dive Computer
- Drysuit (only if drysuit certified)
Students are required to have the following personal gear items:
- Wetsuit
- Mask
- Snorkel
- Fins
- Dive knife or shears
- Dive light
