Scientific diving at ZMT

Scientific diving is an indispensable method for many aspects of marine sciences and is a prerequisite for many of the approaches undertaken by ZMT researchers. Examples include physiological studies on coral reef organisms, reef ecology experiments and surveys, acquisition of environmental data, and sedimentological as well as biogeochemical sampling. In response to the demand for diving as a fundamental research tool, the ZMT has become a member of the German Commission for Scientific Diving (KFT) and is a government-approved training facility.

Diving centre

The scientific diving centre at ZMT (SDC) serves its scientific departments through consulting, logistics and training. The unit consists of a team of scientists and staff trained as instructors and assistants and is headed by the dive safety officer. Together they train new research divers and assist in planning and leading scientific dive missions. Weekly fitness training is offered in the swimming pool of the University of Bremen. Provision and maintenance of equipment round up the service of the diving unit.

Training programme

The course is a vocational training course approved by the German Professional Association of the Construction Industry offering a qualification as "Certified Scientific Diver " and "European Scientific Diver (ESD)" that is recognized Europe-wide. The course is offered annually with a maximum capacity of 12 scientists or students. Since 2015, the two-part training course has taken place on the island of Helgoland (Germany) and in Kristineberg, Sweden as a German, Swedish and Finnish cooperation. In 2017/18 ZMT trained students in Bremen and Eilat (Israel) for the first time in a 5 weeks training course.

Training components

advanced diving training for students in research diving
theory lessons, including diving medicine and technical aspects
training for already advanced divers in diving supervision procedures as applied in professional diving
legal and practical aspects of planning and supervising a dive project
rescue procedures

Prerequisites for enrolment in the course: “Certified Scientific Diver” according to BGR/GUV 101-023 former BGR/GUV-R 2112:

CMAS-2-star diving qualification or equivalent (e.g. Rescue Diver)
30 hours of logged diving experience
- 40 min deeper than 25m
- 700 min in 15-25m depth
G31 diving medical exam for diving at work
DLRG rescue swimmer Silver or equivalent (ILS Lifesaver)
First aid course of 8h (not older than 1 year)
Entry exam in pool fitness and theory