PROPOSED MASTER DIVER TRAINING PLAN FY11 – 12

NOAA DIVING PROGRAM

PROPOSED MASTER DIVER TRAINING PLAN

FY11 – 12

  NOAA Scientific Diver Training Program

Beginning in CY11, individuals interested in becoming NOAA certified at the Scientific Diver level will be required to complete the NOAA Scientific Diver Training Program (NSDTP).  The NSDTP was developed for NOAA by Diving Science and Technology and instructors for the Program will be trained and certified in CY11 via train-the-trainer classes.  The NSDTP consists of approximately 75% evaluation of current knowledge and skills and 25% instruction of and evaluation on new material. Prerequisites for the NSDTP are scuba certification at the Rescue Diver level or above, approved diving physical, current CPR, first aid, and oxygen administration, and a minimum of 25 logged dives.  A swim test, written exams, and numerous diving skills are included in the NSDTP – all of which must be successfully demonstrated in order to receive certification.

In FY12, the title of the training program will be changed to the NOAA Basic Diving Training Program (NBDTP) to coincide with changes being made to the NOAA Working Diver Training Program (NWDTP).  The NSDTP, and later the NBDTP, will be offered periodically during FY11 and 12 at the NOAA Diving Center (NDC), as well as other locations around the country, based on interest (see attached tentative master training schedule).

 NOAA Working Diver Training Program

 Beginning in FY12, individuals interested in getting NOAA certified at the Working Diver level will be required to complete the NBDTP (see above) prior to attending the Working Diver course.  In addition to completing the NBDTP, applicants will also be required to have a minimum of 50 logged dives. 

 Unlike previous Working Diver classes which spent considerable time teaching students how to dive, the new NWDTP will assume attendees know how to dive and have a moderate level of proficiency in diving.  Thus the objective of the new NWDTP will be to train experienced divers in the various tools and techniques used to perform work underwater.  

 Some examples of the knowledge, skills and abilities that might be covered in the new NWDTP include:

 Knowledge

• UW work techniques and procedures
• Ship husbandry
•  Topside and U/W rigging
• Lift bags
• Hand and power tools
•  Tethered scuba diving equipment and techniques
•  UW cutting equipment
• UW camera system
• Light-weight surface-supplied diving equipment and techniques

 Skills  

•   Standard scuba diving outfit
•   Hand and power tools
•   Lifting and rigging devices
•   Exothermic cutting devices
•   Tethered scuba diving systems
•   Search and recovery systems
• Active and passive sonar systems
•  Underwater still and video camera systems
• Light-weight surface-supplied diving equipment

 Abilities 

•   Locate an item on the seafloor using basic search patterns with lines and electronic devices (e.g., metal detectors, active sonar systems)
•  Rig, move and/or lift an object using mechanical means (e.g., lift-bags, pulleys, come-a-longs)
•  Locate and uncover a submerged object using an air-lift or water dredge
• Cut an object using a Brocco torch
•  Assemble and/or disassemble projects using hand and/or power tools
• Secure an item to a vertical and/or overhead structure
•   Un-foul a propeller
• Remove and/or install an anode on a vessel’s understructure
•  Remove debris from a vessel sea strainer, hull, etc.
•  Install a temporary mooring into the seafloor
•  Locate an acoustic sound source using a passive sonar system
• Take pictures/film an object underwater using a still / video camera
•  Inspect and document (verbally and/or in writing) an underwater object (e.g., location, dimensions, maximum and minimum depth, construction, condition)
•  Install an underwater grid in a predetermined location
•  Perform one or more tasks in zero visibility
•   Extricate an unconscious diver from the water onto a vessel

For those individuals who cannot meet the prerequisites for the Working Diver Course (i.e., NBDTP), the NDC will offer a preparatory class that will train non-divers (or basic-trained divers) to the Rescue Diver level.  It is anticipated that the course will be 11 days in length.  Upon completion of the course, divers will still have to perform additional dives to meet the 50 dive requirement to attend the Working Diver course.  These additional dives may be performed either during official work time or after hours.  This preparatory class will be offered by the NDC beginning in FY11.  

NOAA Divemaster Training Program

Beginning in September 2010, the Divemaster Course will be lengthened by 1-week.  The impetus behind the lengthening is the consistent end-of-course comments from students wanting more experience supervising divers.  The additional week, which will overlap with the second week of the Working Diver class, will provide the students additional time to interact with the students and gain more supervisory experience under the tutelage of the NDC instructors.  The additional time will also allow additional material to be presented during the class.

Some examples of the knowledge, skills and abilities that might be covered in the new NDMTP include:

Knowledge 

• Duties, responsibilities, expectations and authority of a Divemaster
• Diving regulations, standards, and policies
• Dive planning and execution
•  Recognition and prevention of diving accidents
•  Management of diving accidents
•  Proper use and maintenance of diving equipment
•  Problem management
•  Principles of leadership
• Lost diver procedures

  Skills

•  Recognize and correct improper equipment configuration
•   Determine acceptable conditions and readiness of divers to dive
•  Counsel divers on inappropriate behavior, skills, etc.
• Taking corrective action when presented with simulated diving-related problems

 Abilities

•  Conduct a pre-dive briefing
•  Conduct a hands-on pre-dive inspection of divers
• Conduct a post-dive debriefing
•  Conduct a field neurological examination
•  Recognize signs and symptoms of diving-related accidents or injuries
• Communicate with medical provider
• Perform CPR on an unconscious, non-breathing victim
•  Extricate an unconscious diver from the water
•  Plan and supervise a dive operation
• Develop a dive plan and accident management plan
• Complete all required paperwork prior to and following a dive

  TENTATIVE MASTER TRAINING SCHEDULE

FY11 & 12

 FY11

 January

NOAA Working Diver Training Program (Old)	Jan 10 – 28, 2011	FKCC
NOAA Scientific Diver Training Program (Train-the-Trainer)	Jan 31 – Feb 5, 2011	FKCC
NOAA Divemaster Training Program	Jan 17 – 28, 2011	FKCC

  

May

NOAA Basic Diver Training Program (Preparatory)

May 9 – 27, 2011

NDC

 June

NOAA Scientific Diver Training Program (Train-the-Trainer)	June 13 – 24, 2011	NDC
NOAA Scientific Diver Training Program	June 20 – 24, 2011	NDC

 September                                                                                                     

NOAA Working Diver Training Program (Old)	Sept 5 – 23, 2011	NDC
NOAA Divemaster Training Program	Sept 12 – 23, 2011	NDC

   

FY12

 January

NOAA Working Diver Training Program (New)	Jan 9 – 27, 2012	FKCC
NOAA Divemaster Training Program	Jan 16 – 27, 2012	FKCC

 May

NOAA Basic Diver Training Program (Preparatory)

May 7 – 25, 2012

NDC

 June

NOAA Scientific Diver Training Program (Train-the-Trainer)	June 12 – 22, 2012	NDC
NOAA Scientific Diver Training Program	June 18 – 22, 2012	NDC

  

September

NOAA Working Diver Training Program (New)	Sept 10 – 28, 2012	NDC
NOAA Divemaster Training Program	Sept 17 – 28, 2012	NDC