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SFU personnel and students who participate in SCUBA diving or snorkeling activities as part of their research, occupation or instruction must be registered in the SFU Scientific Diving Program. Before undertaking diving activities under university auspices, they must have received authorization to dive/snorkel from the University Diving Safety Officer.
Scientific diver authorization
This page summarizes what you must do to become an authorized Scientific Diver under the auspices of Simon Fraser University. It also outlines what you must do to maintain your diving authorization once you obtain it. For more complete information, please contact the University Diving Safety Officer (DSO), Dr. Isabelle Côté (778-782-3705).
Step 1
Contact the DSO at 778-782-3705 to request a registration package.
It will contain the following:
- Diver registration
- Release and waiver form
- Medical history and examination form (with information sheet for medical examiners)
- Annual project description and approval form
- Dive log spreadsheet
- SFU diving safety manual
Step 2
Make an appointment to meet with the SFU DSO, Department of Biological Sciences, Room B8272. Bring to this meeting the following materials:
- Diver certification card(s)
- Current first aid and CPR card(s)
- Diver’s log book
- Completed diver registration, release and waiver forms
NOTE: If you are not a certified diver yet, you must make your own arrangements to obtain appropriate certification(s) or contact the DSO for information as some certifications may be completed in conjunction with the registration procedure.
Step 3
You must satisfactorily pass a diving fitness evaluation and medical examination.
- Schedule an appointment with the DSO for a fitness-for-diving evaluation in the SFU pool.
- Schedule an appointment for a Worksafe BC diving medical. A list of Worksafe BC-approved physicians who can perform this exam is available at https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources/health-safety/information-sheets/physicians-knowledgable-and-competent-in-diving-medicine
Step 4
You must satisfactorily complete a written examination and open water skills evaluation with the SFU DSO. Schedule appointments with the DSO to take the written examination and to do a check-out dive in open water.
The written examination will cover the following areas:
- Diving physics and physiology
- Diving equipment
- DCIEM air diving tables
- Health & safety procedures in diving
- Procedures for tides and currents in British Columbia waters
- Diver rescue and emergency procedures
- SFU Diving Safety Manual, and related regulations
The open water check-out will cover the following areas:
- Equipment and emergency (rescue) procedures
- General diving skills
Depending on your skill level and experience, additional training dives (up to 15) under DSO supervision may be necessary.
IMPORTANT: You are expected to provide/bring all necessary diving equipment.
The materials submitted to the DSO will be reviewed and, subject to approval, you will certified as a scientific diver.
Maintaining authorization to dive
To maintain your diving authorization, you must:
- Have a current CPR certification (valid 2 years)
- Maintain your diver rescue training (valid 2 years)
- Have current training in emergency first aid (valid 2 years)
- Have a current diving medical authorization (valid 1 to 2 years)
- Have dived with the SFU DSO in the last 12 months
- Have logged 12 dives in the last 12 months
- Have logged 1 dive in the last 6 months
If your authorization lapses:
- Consult the SFU Diving Safety Manual about the correct procedures for reinstating it.
- Contact the SFU Diving Officer, Dr. Isabelle Côté (778-782-3705).
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