Maëva Cathala

Florence Magnin

Ludovic Ravanel

Luuk Dorren

Frédéric Berger

Franck Bourrier

Nicolas Zuanon

Philip Deline

Mapping potential release areas and modelling runout distances of permafrost rock slope failures at regional scale for hazard assessment

scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d'enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés.

Mapping potential release areas and modelling runout distances of permafrost rock slope failures at regional scale for hazard assessment edytem laboratoire environnements dynamiques territoires montagnes

High mountains environments are highly affected by climate change through glacier retreat and permafrost degradation. These phenomena may cause rock slope failures, sometimes provoking far-reaching cascading processes threatening human lives and infrastructure. Increasing knowledge on the triggering mechanism and propagation is therefore required to propose adaptation strategies. In the French Alps, permafrost mapping and extensive rockfall inventories provide relevant data for statistical analysis of their triggering conditions and mobility. In accordance with the GAPHAZ guidelines for hazard assessment (GAPHAZ, 2017), the aims of this study are: (i) to propose a mapping approach of susceptible release areas of rock slope failures and resulting runout distances at a regional scale (French Alps), and (ii) to identify hotspots for further hazard assessment.

The propagation database complete the 3630 events recorded by Rock the Alps (Interreg Project) in order to calibrate the RockavELA model. The statistical distribution of the rockfalls according to slope and MARST are used to set up a multi-criteria GIS scheme to map potential release areas. This study is a first step to anticipate the location of potential rockfalls trajectory at regional scale and identify hotspots where human issues (e.g. mountainering routes, infrastructures, tourism area) could be impacted. More in-depth studies should be conducted at local scale for risk mitigation. This work provides a first overview to assess the susceptibility of rock slope failures and their potential trajectory at a regional scale for risk mitigation in current and future conditions of permafrost degradation. The method presented here is relevant to be reproducible in other mountain range and nordic environments.

ROCKFALL DATABASE

CONCLUSIONS

  database is used to analyse the distribution of rock slopes failures according to the permafrost (MARST) and the slope values. The results allows to determine the conditions the most prone to trigger rock slope failures. The mobility of each rockfalls of the propagation database and the Rock the Alps database is given by the Energy Line Angle *2 (ELA) normalize by the dimensionless area* 3 (AA Dimensionless) relative frequency is calculated according to the rockwalls area for each slope and MARST classes. * 2 Angle between the maximum drop heigh and the maximum horizontal deposition distance (from the top of the scar to the tip of the deposit) * 3 The dimensionless area is calculated with the area under the profile of each rockfall

  model (Rock avalanche Energy Line Angle) is used to map at regional scale the potential runout distances of rockfalls. The model is based on the Energy Line Angle and the Maximum Deviation Angle *4 principles. maximum deviation angle is a RockavE-LA function that allows a lateral spread at each step of the modelled trajectory *5 The output raster value is the number of trajectories that travel through the cell divided by the number of iterations performed during the the model will be realised by a sensitivity study of the different settings (e.g. lateral spread, segment length) and by measuring the error (vertical/horizontal distance) between the modelled deposition trajectories rockfall deposit from the propagation database.

GAPHAZ 2017 :

 2017 Assessment of glacier and permafrost hazards in mountain regions. Prepared by Allen, S., Frey, H., Huggel, C. et al. Standing Group on Glacier and Permafrost Hazards in Mountains (GAPHAZ) of the International Association of Cryospheric Sciences (IACS) and the International Permafrost Association (IPA). Zurich, Switzerland / Lima, Peru, 72 pp.


Occupational Scientific Diving* requirements facilitating safe mobility of scientific divers within Europe

The training of volunteer recreational divers to scientific specialties (such as marine biology or oceanology certifications) as organised by recreational diving agencies like CMAS or PADI is an added value. Aiming at the conscientisation of a broad public, it is a clear advantage for further participation to citizen science projects.

ESDP is encouraging such training aiming at providing valuable data to scientific research. However, those "scientific specialities certifications" like marine biology, fresh water biology, oceanology or geology, ..., are not qualifying the owner to be contracted and employed as a scientific diver as defined above.

ESDP standards

The requirement to establish standard competencies throughout Europe was foreseen, and in the late 1980s scientists who used diving in their research sought to initiate the harmonization of the rules and procedures for scientific diving in Europe, gathered in a European Scientific Diving Committee (ESDC).

In 2000, during the final meeting of ESDC in Banyuls-sur-Mer, France, this effort finally resulted in the acceptance and development of two European Scientific Diving standards: that of European Scientific Diver (ESD), and of Advanced European Scientific Diver (AESD). The quality and widespread acceptance of these draft standards by much of the European scientific community has resulted in them already becoming adopted within the health and safety legislation of several EU countries. (October 2009, revised April 2017) The need of a legal status "Professional" scientific divers do not actually receive a salary for diving. They are paid to work as researchers, teachers, professors, technicians or engineers. It is the fact of having to penetrate the underwater environment that requires the use of diving techniques adapted to the scientific discipline in question. As this activity is carried out within a professional framework, it is necessarily governed by the law, under the control of a ministry (education, research, labour, sometimes the army). However, it is clear that not all European countries have the necessary legal arsenal. This sometimes-contrasting situation between European states must be managed to allow mobility and collaboration. One of the aims of the ESDP is to facilitate and advise countries wishing to engage in a process of recognition, acceptance and protection of scientific diving and its practitioners. The ultimate aim is not to direct anyone, but to ensure that as many memberships as possible can be achieved in order to facilitate international relations.

This is developed in the ESDP Consultation Document Number 1: Common Practices for Recognition of European Competency levels for Scientific Diving at work

Years of concrete experience and success (legal recognition of diving and above all the possibility of practising it in complete safety) have made it possible to define a certain number of objective and practical criteria allowing a classification of the states in three categories (currently) and initiate and develop mutual recognition between states having such policies and rules.

The main difficulty to be solved is to bridge the gap that almost always exists between the analysis and the wish for concreteness of the members of the different national committees (NSDC) and the legal and political reality of each country (which of course wants to be independent and does not accept interference in its internal affairs). This leads to the heterogeneity of the current situations and therefore to the urgent need to find ways to build those bridges. The aim is to establish lists of equivalence and to have them recognised by a maximum number of states, which is only possible within the framework of a seamless coherence.

5

The purpose of this consultation document is to take stock of the situation of the countries that are members or statutory members and of the voluntary candidate countries. It is clear that this version will be followed by others, as they are updated, until it becomes a document with an workable equivalence list.

___________________________________________________________________________

18

Welcome to dive for science in Belgium! (2020)

All dives are operated from large vessels and the weather, water temperature, visibility and tidal current make the scientific dive very specific.

In case you have to come with us in field work and operate scientific diving in the Belgian part of the North Sea, you are welcome to contact the Belgian Federal North Sea Research Programme -Scientific diving scientific_diving@belspo.be

Welcome to dive for Science in Cyprus! (2022) Legal status of scientific diving

There are no legal standards regulating scientific diving in Cyprus though efforts are underway to establish these.

Medical examinations

It is highly recommended to undergo medical examinations, either in Cyprus or abroad, prior to any dive, preferably by a physician specializing in hyperbaric medicine.

Insurance

If you are employed for diving at work by a Cypriot employer, they should have an accident insurance, but you should check that this insurance also covers diving. However, it is a good idea to remind the employer to declare your work profile to the insurance company to avoid any penalty fees. If you are working with a grant or acting as a volunteer, you should get an insurance yourself.

Decompression issues

The choice of decompression planning method should be decided by the team leadership prior to the dive, preferably based on a risk assessment. It is highly recommended to use diving computers during dives.

First Aid

It is preferable for all divers to have a valid first aid (CPR) qualification for treating diving casualties. All SD team members should have a training for, or at least be familiar with all first aid equipment available, including oxygen administration to diving accident casualties.

Breathing gas

Air diving limit for professional scientific diving should dependent on the risk assessment and the divers' qualification. Mixed gases should be used according to the qualifications and risk assessment.

Volunteers

Volunteers may join SD teams, if accepted by the dive leaders.

More information

Medical examinations

Medical examinations obtained in other countries apply also in France, as long as they comply with the local level of scrutiny. The examinations for professional diving are generally valid for 12 months, but in special cases hyperbaric physicians may extend the validity up to 5 years (e.g. blood, spirometry, hearing, ECG). The validity period must cover all of the planned days/weeks/months of stay.

Insurance

As an employee occupying a scientific position in a French laboratory you are covered by a statutory accident insurance throughout the duration of your contract. In all other cases a SD must be covered by an insurance that does not exclude risks of professional diving. Do not forget to remind the employer to declare your work profile to the insurance company to avoid any penalty fees. In all other cases the SD must get a specific accident insurance covering the risks of professional diving. Colimpha (see below), the French association of scientific divers, can provide insurance covering risks specific to the practice of diving (except apnea).

Decompression issues

The choice of the decompression planning method depends on the diving techniques to be used and is for the team leadership to decide, based on a risk assessment. In France, the reference decompression tables are those annexed to the decree n° MTRT1901237A of May 14th, 2019 (Journal officiel of May 24th, 2019) relating to hyperbaric work carried out in underwater environment. However, diving computers, embedding an algorithm compliant with reference tables, may be used depending on acceptance of the French employer.

First Aid

All divers must have a valid first aid (CPR) qualification for treating diving casualties. Dive mission leaders need to have an advanced level qualification. All SD team members also need to have a training for all the first aid equipment available, including oxygen administration to diving accident casualties.

Scientific Diving Procedures

Welcome to dive for science in Italy! (2020)

Legal status of scientific diving Scientific dive is not currently and explicitly regulated by law, however, being work activities, they are subject to different laws concerning work safety and the specific obligations of the profession carried out by the worker. Some categories of professionals are required by law to be enrolled in their professional order (e.g., biologists, geologists, chemists, engineers, physician, etc.

Medical examinations

Italian law requires workers to undergo annual health surveillance and the certificate of suitability for the job is issued by the occupational doctor. This also applies to selfemployed workers and foreign workers. All Good Practice manuals recommend that the occupational doctor seeks the prior advice of a hyperbaric physician. For more information, please contact the Italian Society of Underwater and Hyperbaric Medicine.

A provisional list of Medical Examiner of Divers that may serve as consultants for occupational doctors can be find on the site of the International Diving Medical Expert Board-IDMEB.

Insurance

All employers must provide insurance coverage to their workers. The "Istituto Nazionale per l'Assicurazione contro gli Infortuni sul Lavoro" (INAIL) is the Italian statutory (and compulsory) insurance against accidents at work and professional diseases. The "Istituto Nazionale della Previdenza Sociale" (INPS) is the main entity of the Italian public retirement system. All waged labourer and most of self-employed, without a proper autonomous social security fund, must be subscribed to INPS.

Decompression issues

The team leader has the responsibility to choose decompression planning method, based on the (mandatory) risk assessment and to the adopted good practice rules. All Good Practice manuals recommend the use of dive computers.

First Aid

In Italy, first aid is assigned by law to the national health system and the European emergency number, 112, is progressively adopted by all the Regions, unifying the other emergency number : 112 (Carabinieri), 113 (State Police), 115 (Fire Fighters) and 118 (medical aid). For safety and accidents at sea you can call the coast guard emergency number (1530) and use the international VHF channel 16. In case of injury, everyone that are able to, must give assistance, otherwise they are guilty of distress omission. As compliant with the ESDP training standards, all Good Practice manuals provide that members of diving teams (including designated surface assistants) are qualified for first aid (CPR) and oxygen administration in case of diving issues.

Breathing gas

Air diving limit for professional scientific diving is dependent on the risk assessment and the divers' qualification. Mixed gases may be used according to the qualifications, risk assessment and to the adopted good practice rules.

Volunteers

Volunteers may join SD teams, if accepted by the dive mission leaders. However, Italian work legislation always applies to volunteers and students whenever they formally participate to a working activity. Therefore, they undergo to all the workplace safety laws. Note that Citizen Science programs are exempt from the working context as long as the participants carry out their activities independently and in their free time.

More information

The coordinating body for Italian SD is the Italian Association of Scientific Divers (Associazione Italiana Operatori Scientifici Subacquei, AIOSS). For any further questions concerning SD in Italy, please contact us at info@aioss.info.

Welcome to dive for science in Norway! (2020)

Legal status of scientific diving Norway has implemented the most restrictive rules and legislations within Europe, perhaps also on a worldwide basis. According to Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority, only commercial diving licenses are approved from 2021, i.e. "klasse A" for easy diving and "klasse B" for working with heavier instruments under water. More information is available here: https://www.arbeidstilsynet.no/tema/dykking/ . As of now, the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority does not provide any information in English about diving on their homepage though. Whether international scientific and/or other work dive certifications are allowed in Norway is under discussion. Whether EU dive certifications should be allowed or not is also debated, and it is unclear whether restrictions on EU dive certifications is in accordance with EU legislations or not. For questions regarding legislations, please contact the authorities directly: post@arbeidstilsynet.no.

A dive team need to consist of at least 4 persons, where 3 persons have a "klasse A" Norwegian working dive certificate or higher. One of these persons also need to have a course in dive teal leading, focusing on rescue operations. For questions regarding this course or validation of international courses, please contact the authorities directly: post@arbeidstilsynet.no. No information is available from the authorities in English as of today.

Medical examinations

Medical examinations obtained in other countries apply also in Norway, as long as they are conducted by doctors approved having diving as a specialty, the same as applies for Norwegian doctors. The examinations for professional diving are generally valid for 12 months. A list of approved doctors can be found here: https://www.fylkesmannen.no/globalassets/fm-rogaland/dokument-fmro/helse-ogsosial/oversyn-og-statistikk/dykkerleger.pdf There are very few international doctors on this list.

Insurance

If you are employed to dive by a Norwegian employer, they have an accident insurance, but you must check that this insurance also covers diving. If you are acting as a volunteer, or self-employed, you need to arrange your own insurance. All companies conducting work dives need to register at the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority.

Decompression issues

Diving computers are generally used during dives. Only dives without planned decompression stops are allowed within normal scientific diving.

First Aid

All SD team members should be familiar with all first aid equipment available and needed, including oxygen administration to diving accident casualties. All scientific divers should conduct regular emergency exercises.

Breathing gas

Air diving limit for professional scientific diving is dependent on the risk assessment and the divers' qualification. The "klasse A" certificate allows diving down to 30 meters with air. Diving below 18m and in confined spaces has to be conducted with surface air supply.

Volunteers

Volunteers are in general not allowed to join SD teams. However, non-employed divers with correct certification may join (e.g. students) if accepted by the dive mission leader and institute.

More information

The legislation for scientific diving in Norway is the same as for any kind of working diving in Norway: https://www.arbeidstilsynet.no/tema/dykking/ Unfortunately, the authorities have not made much of this (if any) information available in English. For questions regarding legislations, please contact the authorities directly: post@arbeidstilsynet.no

Welcome to dive for science in Poland! (2021)

Legal status of scientific diving From July 2014 scientific diving, i.e. diving for research purposes organized by universities and research institutes; referred to in art. 1. paragraph 3 points 3 of the Act of 17 October 2003 on underwater works (i.e. OJ of 2014, item 1398, as amended) is recognized by law and no longer subjected to the strict regulations applied to commercial diving. At the same time no other regulations governing scientific diving have been issued. Therefore different institutions introduce their own internal rules and code of practice, like the Institute of Oceanology Polish Academy of Sciences (IO PAN, presented briefly below), on the basis of the existing ESD and AESD standards. A check-out dive is a common practice for new members joining a SD team.

Medical examinations -fitness to dive

The examinations for professional diving are generally valid for 12 months, but in special cases the doctors may extend the validity up to 24 months. The hosting institutes decides if your medical examination is valid or not.

Insurance

Institution provides a professional diving insurance for employees and doctoral students participating in the dives covered by their internal regulations. The institution can provide insurance to external persons participating in the dives, if possible. In the event of failure to provide insurance by the host institution, external persons are obliged to deliver the Diving Officer the original and a copy of the current diving insurance. Its coverage cannot be less than that of host institution employees. Diving of uninsured persons is not allowed.

Decompression issues

Within internal IO PAN regulations dives with formal decompression are entitled to persons with a minimum "Advanced Nitrox level". In regions remote from civilization, where the distance from the nearest decompression chamber is significant (i.e. transport of a person will exceed one hour), diving with a formal decompression exceeding 15 minutes is prohibited. The choice of decompression planning method is for the Diving Officer to decide, based on a risk assessment. There must be at least one dive computer used per diving pair.

First Aid

All SD team members should be familiar with all first aid equipment available and needed, including oxygen administration to diving accident casualties. Diving may be performed by a diver who has completed first aid training in the last five years.

Breathing gas

It is allowed to dive up to 33 meters with air. Mixed gases may be used according to the qualifications and risk assessment.

Volunteers and students

External people can take part in diving if all of the following conditions are met: -such a person has at least the minimum qualifications established for employees and doctoral students (i.e. CMAS* / Level 2 "Autonomous Diver" according to EN 14153-2 standard) , -has a valid medical certificate confirming that there are no contraindications to participate in diving -has a diving insurance. Its coverage is not less than that of employees -has equipment with a current service inspection and legalization -will read the Regulations and undertake to comply with them -The Diving Officer agrees to her participation in the dive

Welcome to dive for science in Sweden! (2020)

Legal status of scientific diving In Sweden, scientific diving (SD) is classified as occupational diving. Any diving performed by an employee as part of their work classifies as occupational diving.

Regulations on occupational diving (at all levels) are governed by The Swedish Work Environment Authority's Provisions on Diving Work and General Recommendations on the implementation of the Provisions (AFS 2010:16), which states how occupational diving is to be conducted in Sweden. The Armed Forces is the certifying authority in Sweden, and they specifiy the Swedish training standards and issues all Swedish professional diver certificates. The Swedish certificate S30 (short for SCUBA 30) covers most scientific diving work (e.g. sampling, conducting experiments, inventories and documentation) down to a maximum depth of 30 m. The basic scuba skills within the S30 certificate are harmonized with the minimum scuba skills standards for the European Scientific Diver (ESD) and to the standards of IDSA level 1. A Swedish diver with a S30 certification that want's to attain the Swedish Scientific Diver certification (which corresponds to the ESD standards) needs to show proof of additional scientific diving skills to apply for the Swedish SD. In terms of certification you are therefore able to conduct SD in Sweden to a maximum depth of 30 meters simply by providing your ESD documentation. Other occupational dive certification from other countries may be permitted if they are in agreement with the basic standard for the S30 or ESD, but this must be validated by the hosting institute where the diving will be conducted. Diving deeper than 30 m requires additional training and certification. The Swedish A40 certificate allows you to dive to greater depth than 30m and there are several other occupational dive certificates and dive competences that can be obtained. Note that A40 is not comparable to Advanced ESD which means that you cannot dive deeper than 30m in Sweden on your AESD certification if you do not have additional training.

To supervise diving, you need a separate dive-leader/dive supervisor certificate (sv : "dykarledarcertifikat"). In Sweden you can supervise a dive that corresponds to your training level if you have an AESD certification, provided that you have approved knowledge of Swedish work environment regulations. The hosting institute has to approve you as a dive supervisor.

The S30 certificate can be obtained by training at several occupational diving schools, but the certificate is formally issued by The Swedish Armed Forces. The Swedish Armed Forces can also convert your certificate according to ESD and/or AESD standards (or other approved occupational dive certificates) and documented knowledge of the Swedish work environment regulations to a Swedish S30 certificate. The following three diving schools are approved by the Armed forces to provide you with S30 training: 1. The Armed forces own diver school FM DNC in Karlskrona 2. YRGO (Higher occupational education in Gothenburg ) diver school in Svanesund 3. Greater Stockholm Fire department divers school in Stockholm.

When diving occupationally in Sweden, the minimum dive team consists of 3 persons: 1 dive supervisor (having a Dive leader certification or approved AESD see above) and 2 divers that act as each other's standby divers (both with at least S30/ESD-level certification or equivalent). The two divers should stay connected with a buddy-line (if the risk assessment does not entail greater risk using the line). In the scenario where you only have one diver in the water. The standby diver can then be on land or in the boat, but each of these 2 divers still need to have their own dive tender. The dive team is therefore increased to 4 persons. Note that this also means that the dive supervisor tends one of the divers. The diver in the water should in this scenario stay connected with the surface using a tending line, communication line or surface supplied air. The risk assessment dictates whether more persons need to be included in the dive team.

A lot of responsibility resides with the dive leader/supervisor, who is in charge of the dive plan and risk assessments that govern whether the work is conducted with, e.g. tethered divers, buddy lines or both. For additional reading, both AFS 1977:1160 The work environment act and AFS 2010:16 The Swedish Work Environment Authority's Provisions on Diving Work and General Recommendations on the implementation of the Provisions are available from the authorities in English.

Medical examinations

Medical examinations (certificate of Fitness id health for work diving) obtained in other countries may be valid in Sweden, as long as they apply with-and are conducted by approved doctors with hyperbaric medicine training according to the EDTC's Training standards for diving and hyperbaric medicine. However, the hosting institutes decide if your medical examination is valid. When you make the examination in Sweden for occupational diving, this is valid in Sweden for 5 years until you reach age 40. After age 40, the examinations are valid for 2 years. When you first arrive, the hosting institute may require that you make a new medical examination or that your examination should not be older than 1 year. Details are provided in the working environment regulations for medical controls (AFS 2019:3) [in Swedish]

Insurance

If you are employed for diving at work by a Swedish employer, they should have an accident insurance, but you should check that this insurance also covers diving. All Universities in Sweden have insurances that cover any kind of work accidents. If you are acting as a volunteer, if you are employed by a non-Swedish employer, or if you are self-employed, you or your employer need to arrange your own insurance.

Decompression issues

Diving is planned and conducted according to dive-tables (Nordic-Standard Table, NST, modelled from Royal Navy). Diving computers are generally used during dives as a bottom timer, but as to date there is no dive computer algorithm approved in Sweden for planning dives. Only dives without planned decompression stops are allowed within the S30 certification and SSD. The work regulations (AFS 2010:16) require the dive team to have access to treatment with hyper-baric oxygen in a two-compartment decompression chamber within 6 hours from breaking the surface after a dive. Help from Emergency Rescue Services can normally be relied upon to provide help but the emergency line must be accounted for in the dive plan and risk assessment. The only public pressure chamber operating on a 24:7 basis in Sweden is the one at Östra hospital in Gothenburg. Emergency contact in Sweden is 112.

First Aid

All SD team members should be familiar with all first aid equipment available and needed, including oxygen administration to diving accident casualties. All scientific divers should conduct regular emergency exercises. A First aid including CPR course certificate no older than three years is required.

Breathing gas

The limit for professional scientific diving with air is dependent on the risk assessment and the divers' qualifications. The S30/ESD certificate allows diving down to 30 meters with air, the A40 certificate allows diving at greater depth than 30m. Diving below 30 m and/or in confined spaces must be conducted with surface supplied air, and divers performing such tasks are expected to be trained in these techniques. Using a breathing gas other than air is not standard but allowed if you have the adequate training and equipment is available.

Volunteers and students

Volunteers from outside the University or research institutes are in general not allowed to join SD teams since they are not protected by the employer insurances. However, students are always protected by insurance during their studies and may therefore join such dive activities that is a part of their studies even though they are not employed. This is provided it is accepted by the dive mission leader and the institute. Note that the institutes themselves decide what certification is required to dive during e.g., university studies.

More information

The legislation for scientific diving in Sweden is the same as for any kind of professional diving in Sweden, and these are regulated by the Swedish Work Environment Authority: https://www.av.se/arbetsmiljoarbete-ochinspektioner/publikationer/foreskrifter/dykeriarbete-afs-201016-foreskrifter/, Work environment act AFS 1977:1160 (in English): https://www.government.se/government-policy/labour-law-and-workenvironment/19771160-work-environment-act-arbetsmiljolagen/ Work environment act AFS 2010:16 (in English): http://www.yh-dyk.se/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/AFS-2010_-16-ENGLISH-TRANSLATION.pdf

  General SD procedures are defined by law [Decree n° MTRT1901237A of May 14th, 2019]. Instructions on procedure and rules for archaeology are detailed in the ministerial order n° MCCC1610914A of April 21st, 2016. Collection Permits: in France, collecting samples by diving require prior authorization delivered by governmental competent authorities (Maritimes Affairs).

Analysis of the different criteria in each country SD national legal status SD association* Supervisory authority National Committee (NSDC) Supervisory authority Condition for initial training ESD and AESD in force by law Compatible standards by law Belgium

  Having in place a NSDC in contact with a national authority that has responsibility for occupational SD and having already implemented the ESD and AESD qualifications as the primary standards SD and NSDC recognized by law, as well as ESD and AESD or equivalent

		YES	NO		BWGSD	BELSPO		YES	YES	n/a
	Bulgaria	NO	BNAUA		NO			NO	NO	NO
	Croatia	NO	CSDC		NO			YES	NO	NO
	Cyprus	NO	NO		in progress			NO	NO	NO
	Finland	YES	FSDSA/STOY		FSDSA board	Ministry of education		YES	YES	n/a
	France	YES	Colimpha	Prefecture	CNPS	Ministry of labour		YES	NO	YES
	Current ESDP membership: Germany YES	KFT		KFT	BMBF		YES	NO	YES
	Gibraltar Candidate member: Creating a NSDC; on the way to implement ESD and AESD as minimum NO NO GSDC DESCCH initial training standards Greece NO NO in progress		YES NO	NO NO	YES NO
	YES -Updated list of members and involved institutions AIOSS Requirement: Norway Italy YES NSD Poland YES PCSD -Quality control of the initial training] Portugal YES APorMC ___________________________________________________________________________ AIOSS NSD NO NO Sweden YES NO SSDC Swedish work environment authority The Netherlands NO DSDP in progress Member: Supplementary requirement: United Kingdom YES NO SDSC HSE	6	NO YES YES NO YES NO YES	NO YES NO NO NO NO YES	NO n/a YES NO YES NO n/a
	-Published status,
	-Minutes of meetings and/or newsletter
	-Name of the national certification
	-Authority issuing certification]
	___________________________________________________________________________
	Statutory member: Supplementary requirement:
	All legal texts
	Official list of the agreed formation centres
	___________________________________________________________________________
	CURRENT SITUATION OF EUROPEAN COUNTRIES (January 2022)
	CONTACT	CANDIDATE MEMBER	MEMBER	STATUTORY MEMBER
	Austria	Cyprus	Bulgaria	Belgium
	Ireland	Gibraltar	Croatia	Finland
	Monaco	Greece	Italy	France
	Spain	Poland	Portugal	Germany
		Slovenia		Norway
		The Netherlands		Sweden
					United Kingdom

National Committes [bolded: National Committee by law] BE BWGSD: Belgium working group on scientific diving / BELSPO: PS Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue, training agency BG BNAUA: Bulgarian National Association of Underwater Activity (CMAS) DE KFT:

Die Kommission Forschungstauchen / BMBF: Deutschland Bundesministerium für Forschung und Technologie FI FSDSA/STOY: Finnish Scientific Diving Steering Association FR CNPS: National Committee for Scientific Diving FR

Colimpha: French Scientific Divers Association GI GSDC: Gibraltar Scientific Diving Committee / DESCCH: H.M. Governments Department of the Environment, Sustainability, Climate Change and Heritage HR CSDC: Coordination of Scientific Divers of Croatia IT AIOSS: Italian Association of Scientific Divers NL DSDP: Dutch Scientific Diving Platform NO NSD: Norwegian Scientific Divers PL PCSD: Polish Committee on Scientific Diving PT APorMC: Associação Portuguesa de Mergulho Científico SE SSDC:

Swedish Scientific Diving Committee / HSE: UK Health and Safety Executive UK SDSC: UK Scientific Diving Supervisory Committee *SD association: Even

  if recognised by law, and whatever benefits may be attached to it, the legal status and representativeness of an association is different from that of a national committee representing the authorities responsible for scientific diving at national level. Historically, and depending on the country, an association could, and may, become a NSDC, or a national committee could, and may, be designated by the state authorities The statutory members have all specified in their law this notion of minimum standards of initial training. For countries such as Germany, France and the United Kingdom, which had legislated on scientific diving prior to the adoption of the ESD and AESD Standards in 2000, this minimum appears in other terms. As the standards were built on what already existed, these countries which served as a model are in line with this precedent. It should be noted that the evolution of laws sometimes changes the conditions. For example, in France, the last update created a category of scientific diver which does not fall within the ESD/AESD framework (maximum depth 12 m), limiting for the moment the mobility of these divers, who are otherwise very few in number.

	Initial training conditions: Most surveyed countries do not provide initial technical training for scientific diving. Recreational levels are generally considered to be CMAS
	equivalent ***. The actual training may be partly carried out by private professional agencies (e.g. France), supplemented by peer training, often specialised according to
	the discipline. It may also be provided by nationally or internationally organised training (e.g. Sweden or Finland), recognised if the organiser is a statutory member. These
	trainings are at least in line with the ESD or ESDA minimum standards. CMAS scientific trainings are not recognised in the occupational framework of statutory members.
	Initial minimum standards:

FI

Sukellusalan ammattitutkinto,

tutkimussukelluksen osaamisala = AESD equivalent, national professional examination for scientific divers. FI FSDSA issues certificates to Finnish scientific divers that their training meets the AESD or ESD standards

		Medical issue*	Specific certification	Reciprocity	First aid certification	Validity
	SD national certification YES NO NO NO YES YES YES NO NO NO YES NO ? YES NO YES YES YES YES Advised YES YES YES YES YES YES YES NO YES NO (in progress) YES Liability issues YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES NO (in progress) YES Deco issues* YES YES YES YES YES YES Breathing gas issues YES YES YES YES YES YES Special applications YES YES YES YES YES YES SD visitors Uncertified diver (occupational SD) Under conditions Under conditions Under conditions Under conditions Under conditions YES Under conditions Under conditions YES YES YES YES YES YES YES NO (in progress) YES YES YES YES YES NO Under conditions Under conditions Under conditions Under conditions YES YES YES Under conditions NO YES YES YES NO (in progress) YES YES YES Under Conditions Under conditions NO YES YES YES YES NO (in progress) YES Under conditions Under conditions Under conditions Under conditions Under conditions Under conditions YES Under conditions NO (in progress) * CCR: Mixed gas closed circuit rebreather Name BSD/ABSD n/a n/a n/a Sukellusalan ammattitutkinto, tutkimussukelluksen osaamisala CAH* (4 classes), HSE Germany Belgium Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Finland France Geprüfter Forschungstaucher Gibraltar n/a Greece n/a Italy n/a Norway Poland n/a Portugal Sweden S30, A40, SSD The Netherlands n/a United Kingdom Belgium 1 yr Bulgaria 5 yrs Croatia 1 yr Cyprus 1 yr Finland 1 yr/3 yrs** France 1 yr/5 yrs ** Germany 3 yrs Gibraltar Greece 1 yr Italy 1 yr Norway 1 yr Poland 1 yr/2 yrs** Portugal n/a Sweden 2 yrs/5 yrs*** The Netherlands n/a United Kingdom 1 yr Liability insurence Belgium compulsory Bulgaria strongly advisable Croatia compulsory Cyprus compulsory Finland compulsory France compulsory Germany compulsory Gibraltar compulsory Greece compulsory Italy strongly advisable Norway compulsory Poland strongly advisable Portugal compulsory Sweden compulsory The Netherlands n/a United Kingdom compulsory Deco tables Belgium US-Navy Bulgaria Employer choice Croatia Any deco table Cyprus Any deco table Finland National deco tables, Employer choice France** National deco tables, Employer choice* Air diving Depth limit Belgium Bulgaria Croatia 40 m/55 m Cyprus Finland 30 m/50 m surface supply France Class dependent CCR* Belgium YES Bulgaria YES Croatia YES Cyprus YES Finland YES France YES Mission Order (MO) for SD visitors specified on the Issuing authority BELSPO n/a n/a n/a Finnish National Agency for Education BCS certification Prüfungskommision Forschungstaucher n/a n/a n/a n/a Armed forces n/a HSE YES ? ? n/a n/a n/a Specific insurence compulsory strongly advisable compulsory optional optional compulsory optional advisable compulsory compulsory optional compulsory compulsory compulsory n/a compulsory Deco chamber Risk assessment 2 h, if stop(s) required Trimix YES YES YES YES YES YES Surface supply NO NO NO NO YES YES SD must be MO Certified Validity 5 yrs n/a n/a n/a 5 yrs 5 yrs /10 yrs** ? n/a n/a n/a n/a Lifetime S30, A40/5yrs for SSD n/a All divers Desirable All divers Advised All divers All divers All divers All divers Advised Desirable Team leaders Advised All divers n/a Desirable Risk assessment for dive mission advisable compulsory advisable compulsory compulsory n/a Nitrox YES YES YES YES YES Apnea NO NO NO YES YES YES** scientists Diving medical Card/logbook YES/YES n/a n/a n/a YES/YES NO/YES YES/YES n/a n/a n/a n/a YES/YES n/a 1 yr 5 yrs 1 yr n/a 1 yr/3 yrs**** ? 1 yr ? 3 yrs 5 yrs 1 yr ? n/a 3 yrs Oxygen deco (0-6 m) Oxygen emergency YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES Cold waters**** Physical ceiling***** YES YES NO NO NO YES n/a YES YES YES YES YES see consultation document 05 SD visitor can be diver team leader Postdoc PhD Other student Volunteer SD visitor can be Water temperature any temperature n/a n/a n/a any temperature Max duration in rescue team leader the country Belgium YES if resident in Belgium YES if resident in Belgium YES if resident in YES if resi dent i n BE Belgium before needing host regulation Belgium compulsory compulsory under conditi ons (Bel gian certificat or ESD/AESD) YES YES Bulgaria YES, based on certifi cation and experience YES, based on certification and experience YES, based on under conditi ons, based on certification and certification and experience experience YES Bulgaria optional optional Croatia Under conditions Under conditions NO Under conditions under conditi ons depending of the host l ab NO YES Not stated Cyprus YES YES YES YES >10°C & <30°C Croatia compulsory optional under conditions NO NO Not stated Finland YES YES NO If meets standards Speci al equipment + training *** Germany National deco tables 3 h Gibraltar Greece Any deco table Italy Any deco table Norway Any deco table Poland Employer choice Portugal Any deco table Sweden L-table 6 h if no stops required/ 30 min if planned stops/ On site if planned surface deco The Netherlands n/a n/a United Kingdom Germany 50 m YES YES YES required if <10°C Cyprus optional optional YES YES YES No limit NO only permitted in YES Gibraltar Greece 30 m/max. 50 m YES YES YES Germany YES YES YES*** YES YES depending on the risk assessment Gibraltar Finland NO n/a YES YES YES France NO NO archaeology (under n/a France compulsory compulsory under conditi ons depending of the host l ab YES YES YES conditions) Validity of the Germany YES YES YES YES national certification Italy YES YES YES YES Norway Greece YES NO NO YES YES >13°C compulsory compulsory Under conditions YES YES YES No limit Gibraltar Germany 18 m/30 m surface supply. YES YES Poland 33 m YES YES YES YES Portugal YES YES YES YES Sweden 30m on S30 and SSD/ deeper require A40 certificate YES YES YES YES The Netherlands n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a United Kingdom YES YES YES YES Italy YES NO YES YES YES n/a Norway YES YES NO YES NO Gibraltar NO n/a n/a YES YES No limit Greece YES if affiliated with GR YES if affiliated with GR YES if affiliated with GR YES if affiliated with GR institution institution institution institution -1.8°C Greece compulsory compulsory YES NO NO YES YES YES YES Italy Poland YES NO YES YES NO polar 0-6°C/4-17°C Portugal YES NO YES YES YES n/a Sweden YES NO YES YES YES depending on the risk assessment The Netherlands n/a n/a n/a n/a YES n/a United Kingdom YES NO NO YES Italy optional optional under conditi ons depending YES YES Not stated Norway YES YES YES NO of the host l ab Sweden optional comppulsory Under conditions YES, need 2 weeks course NO Poland Under conditions Under conditions Under conditions Under conditions No limit The Netherlands compulsory optional Under conditions NO NO YES YES Under conditions YES Portugal No limit Portugal optional optional YES YES YES No limit Sweden NO NO Under conditions duri ng trai ning NO and if supervised n/a YES with knowledge The Netherlands n/a n/a n/a n/a Any deco table Sweden Under conditions NO n/a Under conditions YES of Swedish regulation YES Not stated United Kingdom YES, but default to UK YES, but default to UK YES, but default to UK YES, but default to UK Under conditions regulation for long stay regulation for long stay regulation for long stay regulation for long stay
	FR The Netherlands ** max 10 m NO (in progress) FR * CAH: Certificat d'Aptitude à l'Hyperbarie, 4 classes: 0: max 12m, I: max 30m, II: max 50m, III: beyond 50m / HSE approved n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a . FR SE SSD: Swedish Scientific Diver / S30: SCUBA 30m / A40: diving to greater depth than 30m, but compatible with AESD only additional training NO ***** cave, ice, wreck diving BCS: Centers certified by the French Committee for Accreditation (fulfils the requirements of the standard NF EN ISO/CEI 17065:2012) DE *** under condition **** polar seas, mountain lakes United Kingdom Under conditions compulsory compulsory under conditi ons (CMAS*** equival ent) YES YES YES	n/a HSE criteria for short visits
	SE	EDTC: The European Diving Technology Committee
	BE	BELSPO: Belgian Science Policy Office / BSD: Belgian Scientific Diver / ABSD: Advanced Belgian Scientific Diver
	UK, FR HSE: Health and Safety Executive
	FR	** general validity 5 yrs, specific validity for archaeology 10 yrs

* See also ESDP consultation document 05 FI, FR, PL ** depends on the hyperbaric physician SE *** depends on age 5 yrs up to 40, 2 yrs if more than 40 FI **** depends on certification * Also concerns the choice of dive computer by the employer who thus assumes the choice of the decompression table FR ** in the case of diving by nationals of several countries with different laws, or by any scientist diving abroad, the rule is to use the most restrictive table FR *** the legislation currently in force does not indicate a limit in the case of remote field work

21 Welcome to dive for science in France! (2022) Legal status of scientific diving

  Scientific diving in Cyprus is currently being formulated following ESDP standards. For any further information or questions concerning scientific diving in Cyprus, you can contact the scientific diving team representatives at the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute. https://www.cmmi.blue/ There is a professional certification for "diving scientists" [Certificat d'Aptitude à l'Hyperbarie -CAH, mention B] defined by law[Decree n° 2011-45 ETST1023798D of January 11th, 2011]. For foreign scientists who don't have a CAH, it is necessary to hold a professional scientific diver (SD) certificate issued by a relevant national SD authority and a written authorization of their employer. Certificates that comply with the ESD and AESD standards are generally accepted, but a check-out dive is a common practice for new members joining a SD team.

	Contact: Louis.Hadjioannou@cmmi.blue

  ). Foreign workers can work as long as they or their employers are qualified to work in Italy, or they are guests of an Italian employer (public or private) who takes responsibility for them (based on signed agreements). All workers undergo occupational safety and health regulations(L. 81/2008). This means that all work activities are subjected to a risk assessment for which the employer is responsible. Although no explicit law applies to scientific dive, employers are called to regulate and supervise the safety of their work activities. In this context, the Higher Institute for Environmental Protection and Research and the Regional Environmental Protection Agencies have published the handbook of Good Practice for the safe conduct of underwater activities, which has been approved by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies in 2013. This manual forms the basis for the rules applied by many Universities, Research Institutes and other public and private institutions. All these manuals provide that the minimum training of scientific divers is that defined by the European Scientific Diving Panel (ESDP) for European and Advanced European Scientific Divers, with the exception of students and trainees, for whom specific derogations, strict limitations and trainer supervisions are provided.

Scientific Diving Procedures

APPENDIX

Legal status of scientific diving

There is a professional examination for scientific diver that follows the standard for Advanced European Scientific Diver (AESD). Whether it is necessary to hold a professional SD certificate, depends on the employer or head of the unit responsible for the SD activity. Certificates that comply with the ESD and AESD standards are generally accepted, but a check-out dive is a common practice for new members joining a SD team.

Medical examinations

Medical examinations obtained in other countries apply also in Finland, as long as they comply with the local level of scrutiny. The examinations for professional diving are generally valid for 12 months, but in special cases, such as scientific diving, the doctors may extend the validity up to 36 months.

Insurance

If you are employed to dive by a Finnish employer, you are automatically covered by a statutory accident insurance. However, it is a good idea to remind the employer to declare your work profile to the insurance company to avoid any penalty fees. If you are working with a grant or acting as a volunteer, you need to get an insurance yourself.

Decompression issues

The choice of decompression planning method is for the team leadership to decide, based on a risk assessment. Diving computers are generally used during dives.

First Aid

All divers must have a valid first aid (CPR) qualification for treating diving casualties. Dive mission leaders need to have an advanced level (Finnish Red Cross Level 2) qualification. All SD team members also need to have a training for all he first aid equipment available, including oxygen administration to diving accident casualties.

Breathing gas

Air diving limit for professional scientific diving is dependent on the risk assessment and the divers' qualification. The Professional SD certificate allows diving down to 30 meters with air. Mixed gases may be used according to the qualifications and risk assessment.

Volunteers

Volunteers may join SD teams, if accepted by the dive mission leaders. Finnish work legislation may consider volunteers as employees, if any kind of compensation such as food or accommodation is provided.

More information

The coordinating body for Finnish scientific diving is FSDSA. For any further questions concerning scientific diving in Finland, you can contact us. Please find the contact information of the board ("Hallitus" in Finnish) on these pages. https://www.facebook.com/tutkimussukellus/

22

In all cases, visitor scientists are invited to seek advice from the local diving officer. All their dives will be carried out under the responsibility of a hyperbaric operations manager who will ensure the proper application of the rules.

Breathing gas

Air diving limit for SD depends on the risk assessment and the divers' qualification. The French SD certificate allows diving down to 50 meters with air; however mixed gases can be used at any depth and must be used for greater depth. Mixed gases or pure oxygen may be used according to specific qualifications and risk assessment.

Volunteers

Non SD certified volunteers are currently not accepted. An exception is made for the employment of volunteers in the context of an archaeological workcamp. The DRASSM may grant a temporary authorisation.

More information

The coordinating body for French SD is the CNPS (Comité National de la Plongée Scientifique). For any further questions concerning SD in France, please contact us.

-Gérard Thouzeau: gerard.thouzeau@univ-brest.fr (Chairman of the CNPS): https://www.imbe.fr/comite-national-de-la-plongee.html?lang=en You can also contact:

Legal status of scientific diving

There are currently no legal standards regulating scientific diving in Gibraltar although these are currently being drafted. Any research efforts in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters (BGTW) require a licence from the Ministry for the Environment.

Medical examinations

It is highly recommended to undergo medical examinations, prior to any dive.

Insurance

Divers are required to be insured for any diving activities.

Decompression issues

Decompression planning is not a requirement but should be implemented by the diving team.

First Aid

It is desirable, but not currently a requirement for all divers to have a valid first aid (CPR) qualification.

Breathing gas

Breathing gases should be relevant to the dive team expertise and qualifications, these would be implemented by the dive team.

Volunteers

Volunteers may join SD teams, if accepted by the dive leaders.

More information

Scientific diving legislation in Gibraltar is currently being drafted to ESDP standards. Further information can be obtained by contacting the Department of the Environment, Sustainability, Climate Change and Heritage. email: marine.monitoring@gibraltar.gov.gi or clive.crisp@gibraltar.gov.gi

33

Welcome to dive for science in the United Kingdom! (2020) Legal status of scientific diving Scientific and Archaeological Diving is recognised as one of the five main diving at work sectors in the UK. All UK diving at work must adhere to the 1997 Diving at Work Regulations (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1997/2776/contents/made) with specific advice and guidance on scientific diving (SD) being provided by the Scientific and Archaeological diving projects Approved Code of Practice (2014 edition: https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l107.htm). The ESD and AESD standards are approved qualifications to dive as are some other national qualifications and some recreational qualifications (https://www.hse.gov.uk/diving/qualifications/approvedlist.pdf). A check-out dive is a common practice for new members joining a SD team.

Medical examinations -fitness to dive

Medical examinations suitable for diving at work in obtained in other EU countries apply also in the UK, as long as : -they comply with the local level of scrutiny ; -have been carried out by a medical practitioner ; -have been carried out within 3-months of coming to the UK. The examinations can only remain valid for 12 months from the date of examination irrespective if the medical is valid for longer in the other country. If staying longer than 12 months, it would be expected that the diver obtains a UK diving medical.

Insurance

If employed by an UK institution, the diver would be covered by that institution's liability and indemnity insurances. If not, then the diver would have to provide their own. Medical insurance would depend on the country of origin. At present, all healthcare in the UK for citizens of the EEA and Switzerland is covered by the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) scheme; this includes recompression of divers. This remains valid until 31 December 2020; arrangements for people travelling to the UK after 31 December 2020 are subject to the current negotiations on the future UK-EU relationship

Decompression issues

There are no specified methods for controlling decompression. All the regulations state is that "Decompression procedures (including the use of a decompression computer) should be appropriate for the type of diving technique undertaken and their use included in the diving project plan. For surface-orientated diving, decompression procedures should be consulted to determine whether the dive requires 'in-water' decompression. All decompression procedures should be designed to take into account the risks of a particular type of dive and should include the various rules and procedures needed in order to reduce the risk of decompression illness (DCI)."

First Aid

Although it is recommended that all divers possess certified training in first aid at work, the regulations state that there should be sufficient people in the team qualified for first aid. This would be determined by risk assessment. All UK diving at work must adhere to the 1997 Diving at Work Regulations with specific advice and guidance on scientific diving (SD) being provided by the 2014 Scientific and Archaeological diving projects Approved Code of Practice. Additional guidance notes on SD are recognised by the UK regulators but are currently being revised.

Breathing gas / equipment / depth limitations All diving equipment must be CE marked but there are no other limits on what diving equipment or breathing gases can be used if the divers and dive supervisors are all competent in their use. Although no depth limitations are stipulated in the regulations, any dives deeper than 50 metres require a suitable, operational, two-person, two-compartment chamber on site.

Volunteers

The situation for accepting volunteers for SD is complex in the UK and should be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

More information

The coordinating body for UK SD is the SDSC (Scientific Diving Supervisory Committee). For any further questions concerning SD in UK, please contact us via the website at : www.uk-sdsc.com


Common Practices for Recognition of European Competency levels for Scientific Diving at work (October 2022)

-PREFACE

The common practices for recognition of European competency levels for scientific diving at work as set out in this document have the following aims and objectives:

1.1 RATIONAL Diving at work in support of science is regulated at national levels in many different ways across Europe. In accordance with EU directive 2005/36/EC, there is a requirement for an established methodology to facilitate the recognition of original professional qualifications by other member states. This document outlines a framework whereby competence levels achieved by an individual diver while at work or under training in their own country can be recognized by another EU Member State.

AIMS

To create a framework on which competencies for scientific diving recognized in different Member States under different training routes and differing levels of national legislation can be translated easily and effectively in order to facilitate greater participation by scientists in diving-based pan-European research programmes.

1.3

OBJECTIVES Diving is a highly-productive, cost-effective research tool that supports underwater research through efficient and targeted sampling, quantitative survey, quantitative observation, making in situ measurement, undertaking impact studies, performing ecological analyses, evaluating new techniques, mapping underwater areas, profiling subtidal geology/geochemistry, and accurate deployment/retrieval of underwater apparatus.

The achievement of a common working framework will: a. highlight and improve the quality of science achieved through the use of diving as an effective research tool; b. raise the potential for diving-based, multi-disciplinary pan-European research programmes; c. create a European research community united through the use of diving as a research tool; d. create a European forum for discussion and dissemination of advances in diving technologies and procedures that would enhance scientific progress while maintaining and improving safe working practices.

TOOLS

The European Scientific Diver (ESD) and Advanced European Scientific Diver (AESD) qualifications recognize the current level of competency of an individual diving at work in their own country. These certified levels of competency then permit organizations in other Member States to recognize that level within their own national regulations. The ESD and AESD qualifications are, therefore, approved by national scientific diving committees that themselves are recognized by national regulating bodies.

The European Scientific Diving Panel (ESDP) of the Marine Board of the European Science Foundation is made up of representatives of Member State national scientific diving committees. As such, it monitors the implementation of the ESD and AESD scheme and collates activity; approval and adoption of the scheme can only be achieved through the national scientific diving committees.

EUROPEAN RECOGNITION OF DIVING COMPETENCY LEVELS

The goals of the European Competency levels for Scientific Diving are: a. to harmonize standards of competence for scientific diving, gained by training, experience or both, and in doing so assure the mobility of fully trained scientific divers. b. to establish a common format against which competence levels can be assessed. c. to facilitate continued professional development through harmonized standards for scientific diver training.

ESDP Consultation

-EUROPEAN COMPETENCY LEVELS FOR SCIENTIFIC DIVING

There are two different levels of recognition, both of which are professional.

1. The European Scientific Diver (ESD); 2. The Advanced European Scientific Diver (AESD).

Both awards represent a minimum agreed training and attestation of competence which promote scientists to move freely throughout EU countries in order to co-operate on and participate in sub-aquatic research projects involving diving using SCUBA. The equivalence is issued following certification by authorised national agencies.

Depth and breathing gas limitations may apply.

The In all of these cases, all dives must be logged and certified in the candidate's personal log. Any scientific dives must be further certified by the person responsible for diving safety at the scientific research institute for which they were undertaken.

A minimum of 18 years of age is required.

Both the ESD and AESD competency can be issued to members of permanent staff, contract staff, research students, technicians, and trainees or students of nationally recognized research institutions. The issuing institutions should be members of the national scientific diving authorities that are represented on the ESDP (see Annex 1).

A scientific diver who satisfies these requirements will gain either a certificate an ESD or an AESD competency that is valid for five years (or for a period in balance with national laws). The competency certificate must then be renewed every five years by making an application to the issuing authority. Holders of these certificates must comply with all national and local rules concerning third party insurance, medical fitness, safety at work and scientific diving activities when diving in a host member country when they are engaged in scientific diving activities. The competency certificate only indicates the training level, and not the current level of diving competence.

ESDP Consultation

2.2.4

Show proof of having undertaken 70 open water dives, to include a minimum of: 2.2.4.1 20 dives with a scientific task of work supervised by a recognized research institution, such as listed above. 2.2.4.2 10 dives between 15m and 25m. 2.2.4.3 5 dives greater than 25m. 2.2.4.4 12 dives in the last 12 months, including at least 6 with a scientific task of work.

All evidence must be recorded in nationally acceptable logs, countersigned by suitably qualified persons. None of the above precludes the possible requirement for a practical or theoretical demonstration of any or all of the points shown.

the minimum basic training of a scientific diver as needed for mobility and as a basic training level on which the employer can build further training modules.

  ESD and AESD do not include any regulations such as insurance, medical examinations, employment rules, safety rules, diving limits, rules for recognition of national scientific diving schools, etc. These are covered by national law and European Directives. Neither do the ESD and AESD take account of any specialty requirements by employers. They simply define

National laws and regulations may regulate training but the minimum competency levels must be maintained.

Scientific diving training for these awards can be given by either one or a combination of more than one of the following:

a. a taught course. b. a supervised programme of continuous training and assessment carried out in a nationally recognized institution. c. diving activities under the auspices of a nationally recognized diving training organization:

diver capable of acting as a member of a scientific diving team.

  An Advanced European Scientific Diver is a diver capable of organizing a scientific diving team. He/she may attain this level by either a course or by in-field training and experience under suitable supervision or by a combination of these two methods. Equipment, including personal dive computers and guidelines as to their safe use. 2.1.1.4 Emergency procedures and diving casualty management. 2.1.1.5 The principles and practice of dive planning and the selection and assessment of divers. 2.1.1.6 Legal aspects and responsibilities relevant to scientific diving in Europe and elsewhere. 2.1.1.7 Dive project planning. Search methods, such as those utilizing free swimming and towed divers together with remote methods suitable for a various range of surface and sub-surface situations. 2.1.3.2 Survey methods, both surface and sub-surface, capable of accurately locating and marking objects and sites. 2.1.3.3 The basic use of airbags and airlifts for controlled lifts, excavations and sampling. 2.1.3.4 Basic rigging and rope work, including the construction and deployment of transects and search grids. 2.1.3.5 Underwater navigation methods using suitable techniques. 2.1.3.6 Recording techniques. 2.1.3.7 Roped/tethered diver techniques and various types of underwater communication systems such as those utilizing visual, aural, physical and electronic methods. 2.1.3.8 Sampling techniques appropriate to the scientific discipline being pursued. He/she may attain this level by either a course or by in-field training and experience under suitable supervision or by a combination of these two methods. Legal aspects and responsibilities relevant to scientific diving in Europe and elsewhere. Survey methods, both surface and sub-surface, capable of accurately locating and marking objects and sites. 2.2.3.3 The basic use of airbags and airlifts for controlled lifts, excavations and sampling. 2.2.3.4 Basic rigging and rope work, including the construction and deployment of transacts and search grids. 2.2.3.5 Underwater navigation methods using suitable techniques. 2.2.3.6 Recording techniques. 2.2.3.7 Acting as surface tender for a roped diver. 2.2.3.8 Sampling techniques appropriate to the scientific discipline being pursued.

	2.1 2.2	The Advanced European Scientific Diver (AESD) The European Scientific Diver (ESD)
	The AESD must: A European Scientific Diver is a The ESD must:
	2.1.1 Show proof of theoretical knowledge and a comprehensive understanding of:
	2.2.1	2.1.1.1 Diving physics and physiology, the causes and effects of diving related illnesses and Show proof of basic theoretical knowledge and a basic understanding of:
			disorders and their management. 2.2.1.1 Diving physics and physiology, the causes and effects of diving related illnesses and
			2.1.1.2 The specific problems associated with diving to and beyond 30m, calculations disorders and their management.
			of air requirements, correct use of decompression tables. 2.2.1.2 The specific problems associated with diving to and beyond 20m, calculations
	of air requirements, correct use of decompression tables. 2.2.1.3 Equipment, including personal dive computers and guidelines as to their safe use. 2.2.1.4 Emergency procedures and diving casualty management. 2.2.1.5 Principles of dive planning. 2.1.1.3 2.1.2 Be fully competent with/in: 2.2.1.6 2.2.2 Be fully competent with/in:
			2.1.2.1 Diving first aid, including CPR and oxygen administration to diving casualties. 2.2.2.1 Diving first aid, including cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and oxygen
			2.1.2.2 Rescue techniques and management of casualties. administration to diving casualties.
			2.1.2.3 The use and user maintenance of appropriate diving equipment, such as dry suits and 2.2.2.2 Rescue techniques and management of casualties.
			full face masks. 2.2.2.3 The use and user maintenance of appropriate diving equipment.
			2.1.2.4 Basic small boat handling, and electronic navigation.
	2.2.3	2.1.2.5 Supervision of diving operations. Be fully competent with:
			2.2.3.1 Search methods.
	2.1.3	Be fully competent with: 2.2.3.2
	2.1.3.1 2.1.4 Show proof of having undertaken 100 open water dives, to include a minimum of:
			2.1.4.1 50 dives with a scientific task of work, such as listed above.
			2.1.4.2 10 dives between 20m and 29m.
			2.1.4.3 10 dives deeper than 29m.
			2.1.4.4 12 dives in the last 12 months, including at least 6 with a scientific task of work.
			2.1.4.5 20 dives in adverse conditions, such as currents, cold water, or moving water.
			2.1.4.6 20 dives demonstrating dive leadership.
	All evidence must be recorded in nationally acceptable logs, countersigned by suitably qualified persons. None of
	the above precludes the possible requirement for a practical or theoretical demonstration of any or all of the points
	shown.
	ESDP Consultation Document Number 1 (rev. 2): Common Practices for Recognition of European
			Competency levels for Scientific Diving at work (October 2022)

Document Number 1 (rev. 2): Common Practices for Recognition of European Competency levels for Scientific Diving at work (October 2022)

ANNEX 1: Recognized National Authorities for Scientific Diving at Work in Europe (as of October 2022)

Harmonization of scientific diving competencies has to be recognized within the legal framework of the respective member states and has to be represented by authorities with a clearly defined national status. This Annex maintains an ongoing summary assessment of acknowledged scientific diving authorities in Europe with their nominated representatives.