Level 4 - Scientific & Archaeological Dive Supervisor (SADS)
The Scientific and Archaeological Dive Supervisor is an individual who can safely plan and conduct diving operations to a maximum depth of 48msw using appropriate gas mixes, with a maximum of 20 minutes in-water decompression. Under the direction of the Diving Contractor, the SADS will report to the Archaeological Director for the project overview and objectives of individual operations.
Be fully competent in:
*SADS is an acronymn for Scientific and Archaeological Dive Supervisor, and does not imply qualification under the Joint Services Adventurous Training Scheme for the title of Sub-Aqua Dive Supervisor, JS SADS. Although there are similarities in training, the ADA SADS is working under the auspices of the SDSC ACoPs for archaeological and scientific diving.
The Scientific and Archaeological Dive Supervisor is an individual who can safely plan and conduct diving operations to a maximum depth of 48msw using appropriate gas mixes, with a maximum of 20 minutes in-water decompression. Under the direction of the Diving Contractor, the SADS will report to the Archaeological Director for the project overview and objectives of individual operations.
The SADS must show proof of theoretical knowledge and practical ability of the comprehensive understanding of:
- Dive project planning, including:
- The principles and practice of dive planning
- Calculations of air requirements
- The selection and assessment of divers
- Selection of appropriate diving equipment for the planned operation
- Emergency procedures and diving casualty management
- Legal aspects & responsibilities relevant to scientific and archaeological diving in Europe and elsewhere
- Diving physics and physiology
- The specific problems associated with diving to and beyond 30msw
- The causes and effects of diving related illnesses and their management
- Correct use of decompression tables, including:
- NOAA
- Decompression Software
- Including personal dive computers and guidelines as to their safe use
Be fully competent in:
- Supervision of Diving Operations
- The use and user maintenance of appropriate SCUBA diving equipment, including:
- Dry suits
- Positive pressure Full Face Masks
- Diving first aid, including:
- CPR in accordance with current ERC Guidelines
- Emergency Oxygen Administration to diving casualties in accordance with current best clinical practice
- Control of Catastrophic Haemorrhage
- SCUBA rescue techniques
- Management of casualties
- Roped or tethered diver techniques and various types of underwater communication systems such as those utilising visual, aural, physical and electronic methods.
- Search methods, such as those utilising free swimming and towed divers together with remote methods suitable for a various range of surface and sub-surface situations.
- Underwater navigation methods using suitable techniques.
- Survey methods, both surface and sub-surface, capable of accurately locating and marking objects and sites.
- Sampling techniques appropriate to the scientific discipline being pursued.
- Recording techniques using the appropriate Reporting Format Series, and collating data for archiving and publications.
- Use of the OASIS Grey Literature Archive in accordance with the Archaeology Data Service's best practice guidelines.
- Basic rigging and rope work, including the construction and deployment of transacts and search grids.
- The basic use of air bags and airlifts for controlled lifts, excavations and sampling.
*SADS is an acronymn for Scientific and Archaeological Dive Supervisor, and does not imply qualification under the Joint Services Adventurous Training Scheme for the title of Sub-Aqua Dive Supervisor, JS SADS. Although there are similarities in training, the ADA SADS is working under the auspices of the SDSC ACoPs for archaeological and scientific diving.