University of Hawaii Scientific Diver Qualification Course

UH-MANOA Scientific Diver Qualification Course, SPRING SEMESTER 2026

Tuesday, January 20, 2026 – Thursday, May 07, 2026

Conducted by the UH-Manoa Diving Safety Program

This course is designed to meet the University of Hawaii and American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) diving knowledge and skill requirements for authorization as a Scientific Diver.

Lectures and Practical Sessions (Tue/Thu 5:30pm – 8:30pm)

Dive Activities (Saturday 8:30am – 5:00pm)

Topics will include: CPR, First Aid, Oxygen Administration for Diving Accidents, Diving Rescue and Accident Management; Applied Physics and Physiology; Equipment Design, Function, Maintenance, and Field Troubleshooting; Dive Planning and Air Management; Decompression Theory, Dive Tables and Dive Computers; Physical and Biological Diving Environment; Introductions to Specialized Diving Modes.

Training exercises will include: Diver Rescue; Dive Accident Management; Out of Air Emergency Protocols; Underwater Navigation; Search and Recovery; Boat Diving; Night Diving; Deeper Diving; Nitrox Diving; Marine Life Survey and Data Collection Methods.

Cost Recovery Fee UH Student/ Faculty/ Staff: $850.00

Cost Recovery Fee for Partner Institutions: $1,700.00

Payable at the start of class. Includes e-learning, Registrations, SCUBA Cylinders and Air fills, and Boat charters. Divers must provide their own SCUBA equipment meeting UHDSP regulations, or make prior arrangements with the UH Dive Safety Program.

Prerequisites:

1.  Approval of advisor or major professor, verifying need for studies or work.

2.  UH Diver Application and UH Diving Medical Exam

Must be received by UHDSP prior to November 17, 2025:

  • Application and certifications
  • UH Diving Medical Examination and Physician’s Approval to Dive

3.  Diver-In-Training status

Completed prior to start of diving

  • Personal Equipment Service/Inspection (regulator, alternate air source, BC inflator, gauges)
  • Pool Swim and Dive Skill Evaluations will be held on December 1st and 2nd, 2025
  • Open Water Skill Evaluations will be held on December 4th and 5th, 2025

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • In case of over-enrollment, priority will be given based on order of university rank, date of DIT qualification, and immediacy of need for training
  • Admittance pending on space availability

To Register, or for more information, contact:

UH Diving Safety Office at (808) 956-9643 or email: liv4@hawaii.edu