Scientific diving and boating safety information on this web site is provided to faculty, staff, students and volunteers who conduct scientific dives under the auspices of the University of Maryland. If you are unsure whether or not University regulations apply to your diving situation, please contact the Diving Safety Officer (DSO) by email or at 301.405.3960.
New scientific divers wishing to enter the University of Maryland’s Scientific Diving Program should allow plenty of time to complete the program requirements. All application materials and medical forms are contained in the Program Application Packet.
Divers entering University of Maryland with a current scientific diving certification from another AAUS organizational member may be granted reciprocity, and should arrange for verification of their status by their previous DSO.
It is the responsibility of the scientific diver to maintain active status by meeting requirements and filing paperwork in a timely fashion, whether or not reciprocity is needed.
To maintain active scientific diver status:
The Diving Safety Program at the University of Maryland, College Park (UM) was established in 1999 to support and oversee scientific diving activities conducted under the auspices of the University. The program strives to provide comprehensive safety and training standards and guidelines for scientific divers. Through these standards and guidelines, scientists can achieve their research goals while minimizing the risk of diving-related injury and illness. The standards also provide for working reciprocity between the UM and other institutions involved in scientific diving.
The Diving Safety Program at UM was created, in part, as a response to OSHA regulations for commercial diving. In 1982, OSHA exempted scientific diving from commercial diving regulations under certain conditions. In addition to following the guidelines of the OSHA exemption, the Diving Safety Program at UM follows scientific diving standards as set forth by the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS). AAUS is recognized by OSHA as the standard setting organization for scientific diving (Federal Register, Vol. 50, No.60, p.1046).
The Diving Safety Program operates under the guidance of the Diving Control Board and is represented in its day-to-day operations by the Diving Safety Officer. All diving conducted under the auspices of the UM is subject to the standards established by the Diving Control Board as described in the UM Diving Safety Manual.