Objective: To train NOAA employees to be competent, safe divers capable of supporting the underwater activities required of their organizational unit.

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Greg McFall/NOAA

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Students taking the NOAA Diver course practice their newly acquired line tending skills at the NOAA Diving Center (NDC).

Module 1: Fundamentals of NOAA Diving

Module 1 is a two-week course designed for the beginner or inexperienced diver. It starts with diving basics and works through underwater tasks, rescue techniques, and NOAA policies and procedures. The intent is for the diver to finish Module 1 with the diving experience and knowledge needed to conduct underwater tasks as a dive buddy or standby diver and authorized to conduct workup and proficiency dives with their unit. Successful completion of this module certifies the candidate as a NOAA Diver.

Module 2: NOAA Diver Refresher

This one week course is designed for individuals previously certified as NOAA divers who have had a lapse in proficiency and require a refresher to be re-authorized as a NOAA Diver. Candidates must receive LODO and UDS approval to attend Module 2. With prior experience as a NOAA Diver, students focus on checkout skills, underwater tasks, rescue techniques, and NOAA policies and procedures. Successful completion of this module re-certifies the candidate as a NOAA Diver.

Module 3: Practical Applications for Scientific and Working Dives

Module 3 can be taken in conjunction with Module 1 or 2, or as a stand-alone course for current NOAA Divers. It is a one week course designed to train individuals in the various facets of diving and underwater work techniques resulting in Special Task Endorsements (STE). Core STEs include: Lift Bags & Rigging, Reels & Surface Marker Buoys, Reduced Visibility, and Search & Recovery Techniques. Optional STEs include: Dry suit, Scientific Survey, Long Distance Navigation, Ship Husbandry, Anchoring Devices, Pneumatic Tools, Disentanglement, and Full Face Mask.

Duration and Schedule

• Module 1: two weeks
• Module 2: one week (begins on the second week of module 1)
• Module 3: one week (begins after modules 1 and 2)
• Download a sample schedule (pdf)

Certifications

Students must complete all water work and pass written examinations to receive certification.

• NOAA Diver
• NAUI Advanced Diver
• NAUI Nitrox Diver (optional)

Prerequisites

All modules

• NOAA diving physical exam
• CPR, AED and first aid training (current during the entire class: certificates that expire during class are not acceptable)

Modules 1 and 2 only

• Successful completion of the NOAA Diver initial swimming test before the start of class (please submit NF 57-03-39, Swim Test Evaluation before the deadline) and again at the start of your module. 
• Completion of the online portion of the Divers Alert Network (DAN) Emergency Oxygen for SCUBA Diving Injuries class before the start of your module. Once you have received confirmation of registration from the NOAA Diving Center, a separate link with the DAN materials and instructions will be e-mailed to you by the NOAA Diving Medical Officer. 

Module 2 only

• UDS and LODO approval and:
  • previous certification as a NOAA Diver

Modules 2 and 3 only

• Review the NOAA Diver Check Out Skills video in its entirety. You will be required to perform these skills on your first day of class exactly as shown on the video.

Module 3 only

• Must be enrolled in modules 1 or 2, or be currently certified as a NOAA Diver

Equipment Requirements

• SCUBA diving mask
• Drysuit undergarments
• Laptop or tablet to access student materials and exams online
• All other diving equipment will be provided by the NOAA Diving Center to NOAA students
• Non-NOAA students must provide all their diving equipment (download a list of gear for non-NOAA students)

Application Materials

All training request forms and SEP measurement forms must be RECEIVED by the NOAA Diving Center at least 60 days before the course start date. All other materials must be RECEIVED 30 days before the course start date. They can be e-mailed to the Diving Center at Support.NDC@NOAA.gov.

All Modules

• NF 57-03-38, Training Request and Authorization Form
• NF 57-03-65, SEP Measurement Form
• NF 57-03-67, SEP User Agreement
• NF 57-03-39, Swim Test Evaluation
• NF 57-03-09, Liability Release and Assumption of Risk
• Copies of your CPR, AED & first aid certificates (these should be current through the end of class)
• Non-NOAA divers only: service records showing that diving equipment being used during class has been serviced within the last 12 months

Please send the following required medical forms via fax at 206-529-2759 or use an encrypted file transfer method (such as Accellion) to send to DMO@NOAA.gov (answers to these forms contain sensitive Personally Identifiable Information):

• NF 57-03-50, 51, 52, Report of Physical Examination – Diver

NOAA Diver Modules 2 and 3

• NF 57-03-41, Diving Activity Resume

Registered NOAA Diver Students

• Preparing for your NOAA Diver class (downloadable .pdf tip sheet)
• Non-NOAA students will be required to provide all their diving gear: download the list