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College of Arts & Sciences
Texas A&M University Anthropology

Archaeological Diving

Archaeological Diving Safety

Texas A&M University is committed to preserving the health and safety of its students, staff, faculty, affiliates, and visitors, and to protecting the environment in which archaeological SCUBA diving occurs.

All students, staff, and faculty of the Department of Anthropology who intend to participate in an archaeological diving project must satisfy these five diving safety requirements:

  1. Be an Open Water Scuba Diver (or higher) certified by a recognized agency
  2. Complete a Diver Data and Contact Information form (Appendix A)
  3. Pass a physical examination using the Medical Examination form (Appendix B)
  4. Maintain current certifications in CPR, Basic First Aid, and Oxygen Administration
  5. Carry Master or Preferred level insurance from the Divers Alert Network (DAN)

These requirements pertain to all archaeological divers in the Department of Anthropology, regardless of whether they are participating in a project led by Texas A&M students/faculty or a project under the auspices of another institution or organization.

The objective of these requirements is to enhance and ensure the safety of all divers on a project regardless of whether they are affiliated with Texas A&M or not. Please consult the Archaeological Diving Safety Manual below for more specific information on these requirements.

Texas A&M students needing a dive physical should contact Student Health Services at 979.458.8310 to schedule an appointment. Physicals are administered on Mondays and Thursdays.  Students will need to bring a copy of the dive physical form (Appendix B).

CPR/First Aid/AED training is available locally; visit the website of the American Heart Association to research course times and locations.  Aggieland Scuba offers PADI Emergency Oxygen Provider training.  Occasional opportunities to package multiple certifications in a short-course format will be announced via the Nautical Archaeology Program Listserv.

Completed paperwork should be submitted to the chair of the Archaeological Diving Control Board, Dr. Chris Dostal, at dostalc@tamu.edu