Scientific River Diving Safety

Target Audience:

Anyone that SCUBA dives in rivers as part of their job.

Summary and Objectives:

This course will address safety procedures, hazards, risks, benefits, and equipment associated with Scientific River Diving. Throughout the course, divers will practice and show mastery in the following skills: diving with a full-face mask, communicating verbally with full-face mask divers from the surface and collecting data, communicating using tactile and line signals, diving on a tether, tending divers on a tether, diving with a hookah, briefing a river dive, and creating a river dive plan. Students that demonstrate mastery will receive certifications in Scientific River Diving and Full-Face Mask through PADI.

Prerequisites:

Due to the unique hazards involved with river diving, all participants are required to complete the Rescue Diver certification and First Aid/CPR and O2 delivery prior to the course. Dry suit certification also is required if participants plan to use a dry suit during the course. YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE COPIES OF THESE CERTIFICATIONS PRIOR TO SIGNING UP TO ATTEND TRAINING.

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe and execute the planning and organization of a river dive.
• List the equipment needed for conducting river dives.
• Describe and execute the techniques and procedures for conducting river dives.
• Explain the hazards of river diving and how they may be avoided or overcome.
• Describe and execute river diving safety procedures.
• Demonstrate mastery of all open-water skills.

Competencies Addressed: 

Safety - Advanced, Health and Safety Awareness - Intermediate, First Response - Intermediate, Risk Management - Intermediate, Oral Communication - Basic