Overview of the Program

The Scientific Diving Control Board (DCB) reviews research activities that require scuba or surface supplied air diving by members of the Urbana-Champaign campus including employees of the university and affiliated State Agencies [Illinois], where such employees are acting within the scope of their employment, and the operations of other persons, including students, who are engaged in scientific diving of university or affiliated State Agencies [Illinois]. The committee reports to the Vice Chancellor of Research and Innovation. The Division of Research Safety (DRS) provides administrative support.

Questions? email drs@illinois.edu or call 217.333.2755.

Scientific Diving Defined

All diving performed by individuals necessary to and part of a scientific, research, or educational activity, in conjunction with a project or study under the jurisdiction of any public or private organization, department or group.

Diving Standards

The purpose is to ensure that all scientific diving is conducted in a manner that will maximize protection of scientific divers from accidental injury and/or illness, and to set forth standards for training and certification. Fulfillment of the purposes shall be consistent with the furtherance of research and safety.

No person may engage in scientific diving operations under the auspices of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Scientific Diving Program unless the prospective diver holds a valid certification card from a recognized diver training organization (e.g., from PADI, NAUI, military duty training, other recognized training organization).

Scientific diving for University of Illinois Urbana Champaign must not be conducted without the prior approval from the Scientific Diving Control Board and in accordance with OSHA 1910 Subpart T App B Guidelines for Scientific Diving.

Scientific Diving Safety Manual

The purpose of the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign's Scientific Diving Safety Manual is to outline policies and procedures that will enable divers to meet requirements safe dive practices of local environments and conditions.

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Scientific Diving Manual includes:

1. For each diving mode engaged in: (i.e., SCUBA, surface-supplied air, or other dive modes)
   1. Safety procedures for the diving operation
   2. Responsibilities of the dive team members
   3. Equipment use and maintenance procedures
   4. Emergency procedures
2. Emergency evacuation and medical treatment procedures: For each diving location a procedure must be established to locate and transport a diver to an operational hyperbaric chamber when dive conditions could allow for saturation diving.  All dive applications will include the name, address, and route to the nearest medical facility.  This information is to be carried by the diving party.  The Divers Alert Network (aka DAN) 24/7 Emergency Hotline may be of assistance in determining the location and current status of recompression chambers.  Phone (919) 684-9111.

Required Certification/Training

The University of Illinois Urbana Champaign requires that no person engage in scientific diving unless that person holds a valid diving certificate issued by a recognized diver certification Association. Examples of such recognized professional associations are:

NAUI          National Association of Underwater Instructors

                  P. O. Box 14650

                  Montclair, CA 91763

PADI          Professional Association of Diving Instructors

                  P. O. Box 25010

                  Santa Ana, CA 92799-5010

Other certification associations or agencies will be considered by the Diving Control Board.

Diving Operations

Lead Diver or Responsible Person

For each dive, one individual must be designated as the lead diver or responsible person and complete a Scientific Diving Safety Plan that includes an Emergency Plan. An application must be submitted for each plan and include the dive site information.

The Scientific Diving Plan Application includes the dive plan and includes information necessary for safety and health aspects of all divers and support personnel. The dive plan must also include:

1. Other divers involved, and their qualifications/competence and the type of certificate/permit held by each participating diver.
2. Name, telephone number and relationship of person to be contacted for each diver and support personnel in the event of an emergency.
3. Approximate number of proposed dives.
4. Location(s) of proposed dive(s).
5. Estimated depth(s) and bottom time(s) anticipated.
6. Proposed work, equipment, and boats to be employed, repetitive dives, if required, and details of any hazardous conditions anticipated.
7. Roles and conditions for support personnel on the surface – those on primary dive boat or platform, in adjacent support boats or platforms, and at adjacent staging area(s).

Dive Safety Plan and Review Process

• Completed Scientific Diving Plan forms are submitted to drs@illinois.edu for review. Once a plan is submitted for review, you will receive an email confirming receipt. The scientific diving plan will be assigned to a panel of reviewers who will review the proposed diving plan, diver’s credentials, and emergency planning.
• Each diver must submit completed Medical Waivers to verify that they are medically fit and cleared to engage in diving activities. The diver must undergo a medical examination and obtain a signature verification from the examining physician.
• Each diver must submit a release and waiver form indicating that they understand the risks associated with engaging in diving activities. Only divers who are 18 years and older may engage in scientific diving. The release and waiver form must be submitted with the application materials and contain the diver’s signature and the date signed.
• The next step is the question-and-answer period where the reviewers ask questions about the dive plan. The questions will then be sent to the lead diver and/or responsible person via email and their responses to questions are due by a specific date. Certification credentials, medical waivers, and a release and waiver form must be submitted for each diver to drs@illinois.edu.
• Approvals will not be issued until all questions have been addressed and all required credentials and forms are verified for each diver.

DCB Approval

A Dive Plan will be approved for 1 year.  If diving activities will continue after the initially approved year or planned diving activities will need to be updated or changed, then the lead diver or responsible person must review, update, and submit the plan for DCB review. The renewal or amended plan must be approved by the DCB before engaging in new or amended diving activities.

Diving Accident Reporting

All diving accidents must be reported to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Diving Control Board within 24 hours. Submit an incident or near miss through the DRS event report. More information about Incident Reporting and Investigation can be found on the DRS website.

Complete the First Report of Injury/Illness form within 24 hours and send to the contacts listed on the form. Additional information deemed necessary may be required.

IL OSHA Reportable Incidents

Fatalities, in-patient hospitalizations, amputations, and physical loss of an eye must be reported to Safety & Compliance at 217-255-2106 immediately so they can make the required notification to IL OSHA.

For more information please see and post in a readily visible area the Illinois OSHA Injury Reporting Requirements and direct any questions to oshs@illinois.edu.