37631 - Scientific Diving Laboratory : Diving Techniques for Biological Survey

Academic Year 2018/2019

Learning outcomes

This course teaches the basic techniques for scientific underwater surveys. In the pool, underwater navigation exercises (compass and underwater sextant) and survey simulations (e.g. use of meter ropes, quadrats) are performed. The lecture topics include planning of air and NITROX (artificial oxygen enriched breathing mixtures) dives, sampling methods, and statistical analysis of data. Theoretical and practical knowledge also covers the prevention of accidents and rescue (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation and rescue diving techniques). The course ends with a day-trip to perform underwater fieldwork in the sea through the realization of transects and the collection of biometric and population density data of benthic organisms. Collected data will be statistically elaborated by the students and the results will be presented as a scientific-article-styled report.

Course contents

UNDER THE AUSPICES OF AMERICAN ACADEMY OF UNDERWATER SCIENCES (AAUS)

In collaboration with:

- Deakker - Olympic swimming pool

- Scientific Diving School

- PADI

-  SCUBAPRO

- Sarti Sport

- Marine & Freshwater Science Group Association

-  American Academy of Underwater Sciences Staff (AAUS Diving Control Board Members): Erik Caroselli, Maria Giulia Caccia, Carlo Comandatore, Fabio Fiori, Luana Morelli, Rocco Cannizzo, Giacomo Tedesco

Prerequisites for participation:

- Possession of a diving license issued by any internationally recognized diving agency (CMAS or WRSTC);

- Possession of a valid medical fitness certicate for scuba diving (issued after 30/6/2018). To get the medical certificate please call  Sport Medicine Center in Bologna (tel. 051 555754), or the Iperbaric Center in Ravenna (tel. 0544 500152)

- Possession of personal diving equipment (5 mm wetsuit, hard sole boots, strap fins, weight belt, weights, mask, snorkel, gloves, hood).

Diving exercises at the pool will be performed in the morning, from 08:00 to 10:00. A lecture of about 2 hours is always performed after diving. There will be seminars in the afternoon / evening time in different dates from those dedicated to diving exercises.

Guidelines: AAUS, CEN, and ERC. Students are assisted at all times by an AAUS certified diving instructor and rescue personnel.

Certificate: a UniBo scientific diver certificate will be issued at the end of the curse. The PADI certificate "Scientific Diving Lab Diver" will also be issued.

2018 picd: swimming pool; field work

2017 pics: swimming pool ; field work

2016 pics: swimming pool; field work

2015 pics: swimming pool; field work

2014 pics:  swimming pool field work

2013 pics: swimming pool; field work

2012 pics: swimming pool; field work

2011 pics: swimming pool; field work

2010 pics: swimming pool; field work

2009 pics: swimming pool; field work

2008 pics: swimming pool; field work

2007 pics: swimming pool; field work

Research group holding the responsibility of the course: Marine Science Group 

 

Info and registrations: stefano.goffredo@marinesciencegroup.org 

 

 

PROGRAM YEAR 2019

March 11, MONDAY, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, computer room of Zoology, Via Selmi 3, Bologna: PRELIMINARY MEETING FOR PRESENTATION AND LOGISTICS ORGANIZATION

March 18, MONDAY, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, computer room of Zoology, Via Selmi 3, Bologna: THEORY LESSON - SCIENTIFIC DIVING AND AMERICAN ACADEMY OF UNDERWATER SCIENCES

March 26, TUESDAY, 9:00 AM, OLYMPIC POOL (via dello Sport, Bologna): DIVING, BASIC SKILLS UPDATE. THEORY LESSON - SCIENTIFIC DIVING AND UNDERWATER SURVEY.

April 1, MONDAY, 8:00 AM, OLYMPIC POOL (via dello Sport, Bologna): DIVING, DIVING COMPASS, UNDERWATER NAVIGATION. KNOTS; SEMINAR "THE INVOLVEMENT OF CITIZENS IN ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING" (www.DUEproject.org ).

April 8, MONDAY, 8:00, OLYMPIC POOL (via dello Sport, Bologna): DIVING: TRANSECTS (USE OF METRIC ROPE, QUADRATS, CALIPER). THEORY LESSON: DIVING TABLES (AIR AND NITROX); THE ADVANTAGES OF OXYGEN ENRICHMENT; DIVE PLANNING.

April 10, WEDNESDAY, 19:30, "GHIGI" room, Via S. Giacomo 9, Bologna: Seminar  "The Decompression: history, fisiopatology, strategies and new models"; Dr Enzo Spisni, Researcher in Physiology, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna

April 15, MONDAY, 8:00 AM, OLYMPIC POOL (via dello Sport, Bologna): PRACTICAL NITROX DIVES; LIFT BAG. UNDERWATER SEXTANT. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

May 6, MONDAY, 6:00 AM, DEPARTURE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS (address: PIAZZA PORTA SAN DONATO, BOLOGNA): VISIT TO THE DIVING EQUIPMENT FACTORY SCUBAPRO, worldwide manufacturer and distributor of state-of-the-art diving equipment. In collaboration with Sarti Sport

May 13, MONDAY, 8:00 AM, OLYMPIC POOL (via dello Sport, Bologna): RESCUE. WRITTEN TEST.  

May 14, TUESDAY, 6:00 PM, DEPARTURE FROM THE DEPARTMENT, VIA S. GIACOMO 9, BOLOGNA: VISIT TO THE HYPERBARIC CENTER IN RAVENNA (FACULTATIVE). Program: 1) seminar on "Dive Computers and new algorithms", Dr Pasquale Longobardi, director of the hyperbaric center; 2) students will then experience a hyperbaric chamber compression,  40 m depth, 39 minutes dive time with optical and acoustic tests for nitrogen narcosis

May 20, MONDAY, 8:00 AM, OLYMPIC POOL (via dello Sport, Bologna): UPDATE OF SCIENTIFIC DIVING TECNIQUES AND USE OF DIVER'S SAFETY BUOY TUBE. DELIVER OF EQUIPMENT FOR FIELD WORK. BRIEFING ON FIELD WORK AND SAMPLING; HOW TO DRAFT THE FINAL REPORT AND PERFORM THE STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF DATA.

May 31, Friday, SEA FIELD WORK IN LIVORNO (scientific dive: collection of data on population density and structure of corals). DEPARTURE FROM THE POOL (via dello Sport, Bologna), 6:00 AM. 

Given the technical nature of the course, absences to lessons are not allowed.

 

 

Other info:

www.marinesciencegroup.org

http://www.sdseducational.org/brevetti-sub-brevetto-corsi-scientifici-subacquea-scientifica-sds-scuola-sub-bologna-piscina-stadio/

www.sdseducationa.org

 

Readings/Bibliography

Texts / Bibliography

 

NOAA Handbooks, AAUS  Manuals

 

Educational material: English and Italian

 

Teaching methods

HIGHLY PRACTICAL COURSE: the course emphasizes the practice of SCUBA exercises and skills, according to the international standards for scientific diving (www.AAUS.org)

Assessment methods

Evaluation and final grade

Final examination evaluates:

- Planning, preparation, and execution of scientific diving activities, according to international safety rules

- Main techniques for underwater biological sampling and survey

- Main statistical tests for the analysis of field data

- Prevention of accidents and first aid

The final mark will be calculated averaging the marks reported for SCUBA skills demonstrated during pool training, written exam, scientific diving skills demonstrated during field-work, and oral exam.

Teaching tools

Equipment supplied:

- Equipment provided to each student in personal use: SCUBA (BCD, regulator and bottle), compass and underwater sextant, dive computer, material for underwater surveys / transects.

- Other equipment: dummy for practice of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, electronic analyzer of breathing gas, lift bag.

Links to further information

http://www.marinesciencegroup.org

Office hours

See the website of Stefano Goffredo

See the website of Erik Caroselli