SCUBA BASIC AND ADVANCED TRANING

While the SCUBAnauts International (SNI) is not a “dive club”, safe diving practices are paramount for safe underwater exploration and science. New SCUBAnauts do not need to already be SCUBA certified, but if they are, that makes things a little easier.

Initial (Open Water) training certifications are given through YMCA SCUBA program instructors closely associated with SNI. Open Water certification prepares divers with all the skills necessary to dive in relatively good conditions to depths of less than 60 ft. A strong foundation at this level is critical to later diving success.

Advanced training is performed by instructors from the YMCA SCUBA program and NAUI who volunteer their time with SNI. Many of the instructors are also career scientific divers, including a past president of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS). Within a year of joining the program, SCUBAnauts are required to complete several advanced courses, including:

• Advanced Scuba Diver: Training for more challenging dives, including deeper diving, night diving, and navigation.
• SLAM: YMCA SCUBA program Scuba Lifesaving and Accident Management (SLAM) rescue course.
• DAN O2: The Divers Alert Network (DAN) Oxygen First Aid for SCUBA diving injuries course (a “dry” course).
• CPR and First Aid: This training is required for the SLAM certification and to safe diving in general.

Additional advanced training is available for SCUBAnauts who are qualified and wish to pursue it, including:

• Nitrox: Training to dive with oxygen enriched gas blends that can extend bottom time in shallower depth ranges.
• AAUS scientific diver qualification: This rigorous program requires more than 100 hours of special training and prepares the diver to be a safe and successful scientific diver at the level expected by universities and government scientific divers.

As an AAUS organizational member, SNI complies with the policies of AAUS and internal diving policy is governed by the SNI Diving Control Board.