ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIVERS AWARD:

The Archaeological Divers Award has been designed to provide both the theoretical and practical training required to participate in archaeological diving projects.  All live project diving is conducted under the SDSC Scientific & Archaeological Diving Approved Codes of Practice (ACoPs).

Archaeological Diver Training:
Training to be an archaeological diver covers 7 main areas of competency. Upon completion of the award, the Archaeological Diver will be able to safely and competently participate on a broad spectrum of archaeological projects, ranging from underwater to inter-tidal to wetland.

Training Objectives:

  1. Foundation Certificate in Underwater Archaeology
  2. Search & Survey
  3. Dive Planning & Management
  4. Emergency Planning
  5. Site Recording
  6. Excavation & Conservation
  7. Full Face Mask Training

As well as theoretical and dry practical training, the award also includes Open Water Dives comprising of Full Face Mask Training, Tendered Diving, Survey Dives and Geological Sample Collection to name just some of the elements you will cover. Of course, you will spend the majority of the dives on archaeological wreck sites, including some that are protected for historical reasons. Participation in dive projects ensures that the archaeological diver is trained to the highest competency standards currently available.


NVQ in Archaeological Practice:
Students who have registered with the IFA for the NVQ in Archaeological Practice can have their ADA(UK) training counted towards their NVQ award. ADA(UK) works closely with the NVQ Assessors to facilitate approved and recognised training, leading to internationally recognised vocational & academic qualifications.

Approved Prior Education & Learning (APEL):
ADA(UK) recognises that divers have a diverse background in both their diving and archaeological training and backgrounds.  Many members may have already completed some underwater archaeological training with other agencies, or are working towards their ESD/AESD award.  The professional training staff of the ADA(UK) will help you in compiling previous experience and knowledge so as to reduce their training time and commitments without lowering the high standards of the association.

Divers who wish to have there training counted towards their Archaeological Divers Award must, in the first instance be a member of ADA(UK); APEL is not offered to non-members.  The student then compiles evidence in support of the training objective they are wishing to apply APEL to.  An example of this is the British Sub-Aqua Club's (BS'AC) Search & Survey SDC equates to the Training Objectives relating to Search & Recovery. 

Once APEL is completed send copies into ADA(UK) along with the APEL Process fee which is currently only £5 per Training Objective which covers administration costs.

ADA(UK) recognises the diverse recreational diver training available and will accredit any previous training so long as it meets the specific requirements of both the ADA(UK) and the SDSC Competencies in Scientific and Archaeological Diving. Some courses have been developed in partnership with ADA(UK) and receive automatic accreditation. In most cases, the Training Objective APEL administration fee is also waived.  APEL can only be claimed by ADA(UK) Members.