Diving Safety Program

Overview

• Diving Safety Program Poster

The Diving Safety Program (DSP) provides oversight of compressed gas diving activities conducted by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). The DSP reviews CDFW diving activities, supports ongoing projects, and provides initial and recurrent training for CDFW divers. The DSP is administered by the Marine Region and is supported by staff from throughout CDFW. The DSP is an Organizational Member of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS).

Program Divers

There are approximately 70 active divers in CDFW's diving program. These Scientific Aides, Environmental Scientists, Wildlife Officers, and Engineers log nearly 2000 dives annually for biological, ecological and hydrological research and monitoring; as well as for enforcement and public safety along the coast and in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs of California.

Standards and Policies

Only divers that meet CDFW criteria and have successfully completed CDFW training are eligible to dive using scuba in support of CDFW projects and programs. CDFW diving policies and procedures are based on the standards set forth by AAUS and are vetted by CDFW's Diving Safety Board. These policies and procedures may be found in CDFW's Diving Safety Manual (File size 1.0 MB)

Reciprocity

CDFW is an organizational member of AAUS. As a member in good standing, the CDFW diving program has reciprocal working relationships with university, government agency and other scientific diving programs. Researchers may dive on CDFW-hosted projects by first providing the DSO (at least 2 weeks in advance) with:

• Letter of Reciprocity/Verification of Diver Training from your home institution
• Evidence of Liability Coverage (CDFW form coming soon)

Downloads

• Diving Safety Manual (File size 1.0 MB)
• Forms (Coming soon)
• Dive Planning (Coming soon)

Online Dive Log

Coming soon

Training Courses - 2013 Schedule and Overview

The Diving Safety Program administers and staffs a CDFW Diver Certification Course, annual Recertification Workshops, and Specialty Courses for certified CDFW divers. Training offered by the DSP is limited to CDFW employees and is not open to the public.

Recertification Workshops: CDFW divers must re-qualify annually. Recertification Workshops include swim testing, emergency responder training and certification renewal, scuba proficiency and qualification dives, and workshops in specialty diving modes. Attendance at one meeting is mandatory to maintain CDFW certification. RSVP required. Workshops will be held:

• Lake Tahoe, May 21-23, 2013. Recertification and Altitude Workshop
• Ft. Bragg, August 20-22, 2013. Recertification and field work
• Catalina, September 10-12, 2013. Recertification and Skills Workshop
• Monterey, October 29-31, 2013. Recertification and Skills Workshop

Specialized Diving Modes: Training in the following specialized diving modes is available by request:

Scheduled Specialized Modes Workshops will be held (check with the DSO for additional offerings):

• Altitude Diving- Lake Tahoe, May 21-23, 2013.

Diving Support Roles: Training in diver support roles is available to divers and non-divers performing diver support functions.

• Cylinder Handler Safety
• Fill Station Operator

Prospective CDFW Divers

CDFW Diver Certification: You must be a CDFW employee to enroll in this course. Supervisor, Regional Manager, and DSO permission is required for enrollment. Upon successful completion, divers are certified to the Scientific Diving Standards of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences, and are qualified to dive under the auspices of CDFW. Topics covered in the course include diving physics, physiology, decompression, night diving, dive planning, research techniques and more. There is extensive in-water evaluation of skills. This course is not basic scuba training and candidates must have demonstrated course prerequisites and in-water aptitude prior to enrolling. Please contact the DSO for more information.

• Catalina Island, May 5-10, 2013 (Sun-Fri)

Dive Locker

Coming soon

Program History

Coming soon

Program Administration

Diving Safety Program operations are overseen by the Diving Safety Officer (DSO). The DSO is responsible for training divers and diver candidates, and for overseeing diving operations to ensure compliance with CDFW, AAUS, and OSHA standards for scientific and workplace diving. For more information, please contact:

David Osorio
Environmental Scientist, Diving Safety Officer
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
20 Lower Ragsdale Drive, Suite 100
Monterey, CA 93940
Phone: (831) 649-7195
Fax: (831) 649-2917
Email: david.osorio@wildlife.ca.gov

Diving Safety Board

The Diving Safety Board (DSB) provides consultation and guidance to the Diving Safety Officer to help ensure a safe and efficient diving operation. DSB members serve as CDFW's technical and policy advisors and assist the DSO when conducting diver training and safety programs.