MLML/CSUMB Marine Science Diving - 2014
AAUS (American Academy of Underwater Sciences) Summer Intensive Scientific Diving Course
Instructors:
Diana Steller, DSO at MLML, NAUI#13564, cell 831-588-5591, dsteller@mlml.calstate.edu
Scott Gabara, Asst. DSO, NAUI #50819, Work #831-633-7022, sgabara@mlml.calstate.edu
For Application Materials: contact Diana Steller, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, 8272 Moss Landing Rd,
Moss Landing, CA 95039, 831-771-4440 or visit online at http://diving.mlml.calstate.edu/ - see
classes/certification. If prerequisites are met and verified then registration information for SJSU Extended
Education will be provided.
Objectives of the AAUS (American Academy of Underwater Sciences) Scientific Diving Course
- Trains research divers to AAUS standards to attain status as a scientific diver. Certification allows for research
diving reciprocity among AAUS institutions ***need home institution for affiliation
- Training in advanced safe diving techniques
- Demonstrate advanced understanding of diving physics, physiology, equipment troubleshooting, navigation,
dive planning, emergency and rescue skills
- Become familiar with research diving skills, survey techniques and common marine organisms. Research
techniques include REEF CHECK surveys
- Increase competency as coldwater diver under varied conditions
- Become familiar with small boat diving safety and techniques
- Become certified as NAUI Master Diver and AAUS diver
- Summer course is intensive. Be in swimming and diving shape, come prepared.
Course Dates: Aug. 4-8 and 11-17 w/ field trip to Big Creek Reserve from 12-17. Hrs. approx. 7:00am-6pm.
Course Location(s): CSUMB pool, MLML Seminar room, the ocean around Monterey Bay and Big Creek
Marine Reserve. !!!! FIRST CLASS MEETING IS Monday August 4, at 8:00am at CSUMB pool,
BRING: swim suit, snorkeling gear, towel, surf suit OK for pool work. (directions are available online).
Registration: Go to MLML research diving site CERTIFICATION page, download application material.
Fill them out completely and send as one PDF to DSO to review. If complete and prerequisites are met,
DSO will send you registration materials. To hold a class space all paperwork must be reviewed by DSO
and course fee must be paid. CSU students have course priority.
Pre-requisites to be completed prior to start of course:
- Basic SCUBA certification – verify with a certification card
- Rescue certification
- 12 logged cold-water scuba dives (with 4 recent, turn in logs) - all date, location, buddy, depth, dive profile
info required (dive log form available at www.diving.mlml.calstate.edu under CERTIFICATION
- Current application & dive medical on CSU/AAUS medical form with appropriate lab work (form available
online at www.diving.mlml.calstate.edu under CERTIFICATION).
- Personal Dive Gear with current annual inspection verification (see list below / rentals available)
- Pass a swim test (MUST PASS FIRST DAY - see details below), basic skin and SCUBA skills
- Current CPR, 1st Aid, Emergency O2 training (provide cards or proof of current training), Available during
Rescue workshop (contact F. Degnan for details- will be offered prior to August course).
- current DAN membership and basic diving insurance
- Commitment to a rugged, challenging and rewarding diving course
Paperwork Checklist: (application, medical form and all paperwork must be submitted to D. Steller by 20 July
at the above MLML address. KEEP PERSONAL COPY OF ALL PAPERWORK). Details and forms available
http://diving.mlml.calstate.edu/ (see CERTIFICATION LINK).
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Diver Application/Emergency Contact
Copy of Diving Certification and Rescue Card (contact the Agency if you have lost card)
Copy of current CPR, First Aid and Emergency Oxygen training
Dive Logs – copies of past dive logs (up to 25 dives). Excel log sheet available on web.
Medical Exam – CSU STUDENTS CALL HEALTH CENTER NOW PRIOR TO SUMMER!!
CSUMB & SJSU Medical Center ~$150, Doctors on Duty ~$150-200 – FOR FORM go to diving
medical forms under the paperwork link at http://diving.mlml.calstate.edu/. NOTE ALL
REQUIRED LAB TESTS MUST BE DONE, form must be signed by an MD. READ FORM
CAREFULLY.
6) Equipment Servicing Form (to use your own regulator, gauges and BCD you must show proof of
servicing within the last year).
7) MLML/CSU/CSUMB Waiver
8) NAUI Waiver – will sign first day of class
9) DAN insurance- this means membership + basic insurance (minimum level)
10) Read MLML/CSU online regulations
11) Computer agreement
12) Verification of Insurance form
Required Text and Reading: NAUI Master Diver text and must have read prior to class. We strongly
encourage students to read text prior to class. Test on text material first day. Available from D. Steller ($36.00)
till July 24. Reef Check text and flash cards will be provided the first day.
Course Sign-up: Admission based on instructor consent. Contact either instructor for info and the first step is
to submit your application by email to dsteller@mlml.calstate.edu. Priority given to MLML and CSU grad
students, then undergrads, then outside applicants but we encourage all to apply. Course is being offered
through SJSU Extension. After application is assessed, sign-up details will be provided to those who meet the
requirements.
Cost: ~$500
Costs cover: AAUS certification, REEF CHECK certification, NAUI Master Diver Certification,
Training, cylinders + fills, dive vehicle transport, boats, engines, field compressors, sampling &
emergency equipment (O2/AED), field equipment, access, camping and food for field trip to Big Creek
UC Reserve.
Not Included:
- CPR, 1st Aid, O2 admin., certification
- NAUI Master Diver Card ($16)
- NAUI Master Diver text (~$36)
- Medical Exam (~100-$200+)
- DAN Membership ($25) + Insurance ($25, 35 or 70$)
- Reef Check manual and flash cards ($20.00 each)
- 2 sided slates for sale at MLML ($20.00)
Initial Skills:
AAUS Swim Test (must pass on first day of class, no swim aids allowed)
1) 400 yd swim in under 12 min.
2) 25 yd underwater swim (** practice this under supervision)
3) 10 min tread water
4) 25 yd swimmer transport
- Skin Skills (in pool, then ocean)
1) Weight belt R&R= removal and replacement (surface and at depth – 10’)
2) Mask R&R
3) Fin R& R
4) Any 2 items R&R
5) Skin Rescue
6) 50 yds underwater on 3 breaths
- SCUBA Skills (in pool, then ocean)
1) Removal and Recovery (R&R) of gear at surface and at depth – weight belt/pouches, BCD, mask,
regulator
2) BCD Orally inflate, remove and replace power inflator (surface and at depth)
3) Buddy breath 25 yds without mask as donor and recipient
4) Octopus breath 25 yds without mask as donor and recipient
5) Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent (CESA - 25yds horizontal)
6) Full UW gear exchange with buddy
7) Full Gear Ditch and Don
8) Bailout (enter water with all gear in hand, turn on air and put on gear)
9) Complete SCUBA rescue
10) 400 yard surface swim in full scuba gear, breating on snorkel <20minutes
Course Requirements:
Eligibility for AAUS certification is based on: Final Exam, NAUI Master Diver Test, homework, dive logs,
presentation, participation
Tentative Class Schedule: detailed schedule will be sent to sign-up list
- Meet at 0800 – Bring Bag Lunch Daily!!!
- Snack Day/SEABAG – each person is lead diver for a day
Equipment Required At Start of Course:
You must provide:
1) Weight belt and your own personal weight (weight pouches ok too)
2) Buoyancy Compensator, with appropriate clips for avoiding dangling gear.
3) Regulator - must have either octopus or BCD must have airsource
4) Mask & Snorkel
5) Wetsuit (7mm wetsuit minimum for ocean, surf suit ok for pool), dry suit ok if you have prior
training and verification of training. This is not a dry suit training course.
6) Gloves, Booties & Hood
7) Timing device (minimum – water resistant to 50m) or dive computer + manual
8) Compass
9) Cutting Tool (Safety Shears or Dive knife with strap)
10) Equipment Bag (that fits all of your gear)
11) Smaller Mesh goodie bag (that fits mask, fin, snorkel) for boat diving
12) Save-a-dive kit
13) Dive Light (minimum one, preferable to have 2)
14) Dive slate for sampling (2 sided slates+UW paper for sale at MLML $25.00)
15) Camping Gear for Big Creek Trip – sleeping bag, pad, tent, flashlight/head lamp, sun hat,
sunscreen, water bottle, plate, knife, fork, glass, underwater harmonica
Transportation –
May need to provide own transportation to and from ocean/pool/lecture site and transport own gear.
Accommodation: MLML has some student summer housing available. For information call MLML main #
831-771-4400.