To become an ABSD you need to fulfill the following.

• Recommended by a Belgian University or a Belgian research laboratory or equivalent
• be at least BSD (and minimum CMAS 3* diver or equivalent (instructor level 2 is strongly encouraged)
• Show proof (logbook  scan  copies) of 100 dives when registering for the course including 20dives conducted between 20 and 29m with 10 deeper than 29 m, including 50 dives with a scientific task, 20 dives as dive leader and 20 dives in adverse conditions (current, cold, dark,…)

For the dives, list the 100 dives, including the dive number in the logbooks.

For the 50 scientific dives, we only accept copy of the official BELSPO logbook fully filled according to the document (link to the document instructions for filling the logbook).

Remainder: A scientific dive is dive organised by a recognised scientific institution and including a scientific task. The scientific institution signs the concerned dive.

• Show proof  (scan copy)  of a current first aid certificate for basic life support  AND oxygen first aid administration. (less than 2 years old at the time of the assessment)
• Having a   medical   certificate   for occupational scientific  diving  (see Royal decree  and Belspo website for blank document)  not   older   than   a   year   at   the   date   of   the   end   of   the   assessment
• Proof of insurance covering the applicant for the professional, scientific diving activity.
  * Proof of 14 dives within the civil year of the application, including 6 with a scientific task of work. All listed as above

To have shown proof of theoretical knowledge and a comprehensive understanding of:

• Diving physics and physiology, the causes and effects of diving-related illnesses and disorders and their management.
• The specific problems associated with diving to and beyond 30m, calculations of air requirements, correct use of decompression tables.
• Equipment, including personal dive computers and guidelines as to their safe use.
• Emergency procedures and diving casualty management.
• The principles and practice of dive planning and the selection and assessment of divers.
• Legal aspects and responsibilities relevant to scientific diving in Europe and elsewhere.
• Dive project planning.
  

WORK METHOD STATEMENT (WMS)

To assess the theoretical knowledge, and the leadership experience, you are asked to create a complete work method statement document (WMS) (This document of about 30 pg is the document that is needed for any scientific diving project).

The chapters that must be addressed are:

• Executive summary
  
• Task list
  Here you describe all the tasks you will plan to operate during your project, the equipment you will be using and how, …
• Scientific diving procedure,
  This part explains at least how you proceed to the selection of your team, which procedures you apply for the scientific dives, …
• The operational risk management (ORM)
  ORM is a decision-making tool that helps to systematically identify risks and benefits and determine the best courses of action in any given situation. Like other safety risk management processes, the risk management process is designed to minimise risks, reduce mishaps, preserve assets, and safeguard health and welfare. The whole approach is pre-emptive, rather than reactive.
  Its clearly identify risk mitigation measures you take to reduce any identified risk.
• The specific procedures you apply in special conditions if any, the safety equipment consideration and the Emergency plan
  The subject of your WMS will be discussed with you and based on your ongoing research project involving scientific diving.

DEADLINES FOR WMS

Please submit your WMS, on an editable format like word, first draft at least 60 days before the start of the assessment.
It will be reviewed within one month by the instructors’ team. Based on that review you will have to submit your final version one week before the assessment starts (Failing to respect those deadlines is considered a no-go for the assessment)

YOUR ABSD ROLE DURING THE WEEK ASSESSMENT

During the one-week assessment, you will be responsible for the full organisation, from A to Z, of one scientific dive team of a maximum of 4 to 5 divers for air diving to 40m depth (another format like mixed gas CCR is also possible).
This includes ALL ASPECTS, outside the water and underwater, including all dive tasks we perform, which will be based on the WMS.
We also ask you to design your own scientific diving task and to operate with your team during one dive during your week. This is based on your ohw research field and experience.

FULL FACE MASK

You may be assessed (not trained, see standard) on using a Full-Face Mask for at least two dives. In case you do not have a training yet on that matter, please take a training in Belgium before the ABSD assessment

ASSESMENT:

The instructors’ team will assess you on your WMS and on every dive (dive leadership, diving skills, and safety underwater for yourself and the dive team according to the CMAS 3* dive leader and all tasks listed in the ABSD standard).
You will be assessed on the work you do out of the water, like briefing, general safety organisation of your team, dive sheet, diving debriefing, scientific task debriefing, diving attitude, and reaction to task loading.
Your ‘diving attitude’ and human factor, in general, are key to your own and your team safety.

In case of need, please refer to:

• Under Pressure: Diving Deeper with Human Factors by Gareth Lock
• Risk Management for Diving Operations: How to enhance the safety and proficiency of diving teams by PhD Giorgio Caramanna and MD Brian Strickland | Oct 21, 2023
• https://dan.org/alert-diver/article/the-effect-of-experience-on-risk/
• https://alertdiver.eu/en_US/articles/psychological-reactions-and-scuba-diving-description-of-a-treatment
• https://scubapsyche.com/2018/01/07/what-can-psychology-do-for-divers/

The instructor team:  Alain Norro, Sven Van Haelst and Valérie Woit