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INSTITUTE
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POLICIES
FOR INDIVIDUAL
DIVERS
Every professional organization that uses scuba diving as a means of conducting their research has a set of standards that their personnel must meet to be eligible to participate in scuba diving activities. The Nautical Archaeology Program (NAP) and the Institute of Nautical Archaeology (INA) follow the dictates of the Texas A&M University Scientific Diving Safety Manual. Please contact the Diving Safety Officer if you have any questions about these policies.
All divers participating in Nautical Archaeology Program and/or Institute of Nautical Archaeology projects must:
1. Submit a completed INA Diver Experience Record and Contact Information Form.
2. Be certified as an Open Water Scuba Diver (or higher) by a recognized certification agency.
3. Successfully pass a scuba diving physical examination form using the Texas A&M University Medical Examination Form.
4. Successfully complete a CPR certification course every two years and a Basic First Aid certification course every three years.
5. Maintain an insurance policy that covers diving related accidents. All NAP/INA divers should carry Divers Alert Network (DAN) insurance at a minimum of the Master Level.
Please submit all required documentation to the Diving Safety Officer by May 1, 2003. If you previously submitted any of these documents, please email the Diving Safety Officer to ensure that your file is current. Divers should also provide their Project Director with copies of these documents. Individuals who fail to comply with these requirements will not be permitted to participate in any diving activities related to Nautical Archaeology Program and/or Institute of Nautical Archaeology projects. If you are having difficulties meeting these requirements, please contact the Diving Safety Officer as soon as possible.
Diver Experience Record
and Contact Information Form This form provides a record of the diver’s experience and training, as well as emergency contact information. The form can be downloaded here: Diver Record Form for WordPerfect
Scuba
Certification
Please submit photocopies of both sides of your scuba certification card to the Diving Safety Officer. If you have additional certifications (e.g., Nitrox, Advanced, Rescue, Dive Master, etc.) these should also be submitted. If you received your open water certification from an agency other than PADI, NAUI, YMCA, or BSAC, please contact the INA Diving Safety Officer for approval. Diving
Physical Examination
The requirements for diving physical examinations were changed in 2001. In general, these changes reduced the number of required tests and extended the period of effectiveness for the physical. The examination must be repeated as follows:
Age 39 and below: Five (5) years; Age 40 to 59: Three (3) years; Age 60 and older: Two (2) years.
Please make a photocopy of the completed examination form for your records and submit the original to the Diving Safety Officer. The physical examination form can be downloaded here: Diving Physical Examination Form for Word Diving Physical Examination Form for WordPerfect
CPR and First Aid
Certification Please submit photocopies of both sides of your CPR and First Aid certification card(s) to the Diving Safety Officer. If you have additional certifications (e.g., DAN Oxygen Administrator) these should also be submitted. Acceptable certification agencies include PADI, the American Red Cross, and the American Heart Association. If you plan to seek certification from another agency, please contact the Diving Safety Officer for approval.
Diving Accident Insurance All NAP/INA divers should carry Divers Alert Network (DAN) insurance at a minimum of the Master level. The total annual cost of Master level insurance and DAN membership is approximately $64. per year. You may want to consider purchasing the Preferred plan (total price is approximately $99. per year), especially if you do not otherwise have travel insurance, as this option covers up to $15,000 for non-diving accidents while traveling. More information is available from the Diving Safety Officer or from the DAN website. Please submit a photocopy of your insurance card to the Diving Safety Officer.
Diving insurance can be purchased online at http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/
or by calling DAN at 1-800-446-2671.
Further Information For further information or clarification of any of these requirements, please contact the INA Diving Safety Officer:
By telephone: (979) 845-6694
By mail: Diving Safety Officer
By email: elaanela@tamu.edu |
