In order to remain under the exemption of commercial diving standards granted by OSHA in 1985, there are several prerequisites one must meet. Once the appropriate paperwork has been submitted and reviewed, you may enroll in a scientific diver certification course. A class is offered each semester at WIES and one is offered in the summer as well. Sampling techniques taught during class dives include quadrats, band transects, fish counts and point contacts.
Students typically dive on rocky reefs, sandy bottoms, pier pilings, in kelp beds and blue water.
In order to do this you must also submit copies of CPR, oxygen, and first aid certifications. There will be a confined water skills test, a series of open water dives, and a written examination. For safety reasons scientific divers are also asked to provide their own scuba gear.