Scientific diving at WUR

Scientific diving is a crucial tool for scientists to study the biodiversity and functioning of aquatic environments. However, having the underwater environment as a work place also poses challenges. Therefore a Dutch protocol has been made to make diving for science more safe and effective. Furthermore, Wageningen offers two courses to students, staff and professionals to teach them proper scientific diving.

The Dutch Scientific Diving Platform has taken the lead in creating a protocol that bridges the gap between recreational diving and commercial diving. Now, a national protocol is available specifically focusing on the safety and effectiveness of scientific diving. With it, the Netherlands is now a candidate member of the European Scientific Diving Panel. We hope that with the national implementation of this protocol in the law, diving for research will become safer for the whole of the Netherlands.

Click here to download the latest protocol.

To provide knowledge on scientific diving, we provide theoretical courses for students, PhDs and professionals, and offer a practical course to gain in-water experience.

Below, we elaborate on implementing scientific diving for research, and delineate application procedures for the practical course for students and for PhDs/staff.

Scientific Diving for research

You may be familiar with recreational diving, where it's just for your own enjoyment. Scientific diving falls in the category of occupational diving, which has strict rules. Scientific diving requires dedicated skills such as monitoring, handling equipment and setting up experiments, which also requires specific safety procedures.

If you want to implement diving as part of your thesis, internship or research practice (students) or research project (PhDs and staff), there are requirements based on the European Scientific Diving standards. You should have:

  • Rescue diver or equivalent certification (part of the practical course MAE20803).

  • Proof of 50 underwater dives, including:

    • At least 5 dives in the last year
  • A medical check (<1 year ago) (https://www.duikkeuring.nl/sportmedisch-duikonderzoek)

  • Diving first aid, including:

    • Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) (done at WUR, part of practical course MAE20803)
    • Oxygen administration (done at WUR, part of practical course MAE20803)
  • WUR Scientific Diving - Theoretical Course (MAE10302)

This is applicable to all students, PhD and staff of Wageningen University. You can check if you fit the requirements by emailing the Dive Safety Officer of Wageningen University (erik.wurz@wur.nl).

Wageningen University offers two courses to enhance your diving skills and reach the requirements mentioned above:

  • Scientific Diving - Theoretical Course (MAE10302), which is an online, asynchronous course going over the 'dry' requirements. Taught in English.
  • Scientific Diving - Practical Course (MAE20803), which offers practical in-water training to achieve the necessary scientific dives, and also includes the first-aid and oxygen administration courses. Taught in English.

Application Scientific Diving - Practical Course for students

If you are a student at WUR, you can apply to join the Scientific Diving - Practical Course (MAE-20803). This course is held in Krk, Croatia.

Prerequisites for application:

  • Successfully completed the Scientific Diving - Theoretical Course (MAE10302)
  • Have the ability to swim;
  • Have a recent dive medical test (<1 year);

  • Provide a filled application form;

  • Provide a dive log proving your extensive dive experience (minimum 50 logged dives);

  • Provide a PDF containing a motivation letter (1250 characters max.), which includes details on your thesis/internship/research practice project (if already known), why the course is necessary for you and a signature of your supervisor. If you do not have a project yet, you can still apply! Just motivate why you chose this course (e.g., future aspirations).

This course has limited availability, therefore a selection of students will be made based on eligibility (prerequisites for application mentioned above), the study program, and the need for this course for further studies (if relevant), and the chair group of the thesis work (if relevant). Students who can show that this course forms an essential and urgent requirement for their further studies receive priority status. In the case more eligible candidates apply than spots available, the spots will be filled based on a draw. Students that are eligible but are not selected, will be placed on a waiting list.

The sessions for 2024 are currently filled.

Application Scientific Diving - Practical Course for PhDs and staff

If you are a PhD or staff at WUR or a different institute, you can also apply to join the Scientific Diving - Practical Course. This course is held in Krk, Croatia.

Prerequisites for application:

  • Completed the Scientific Diving - Theoretical Course (MAE10302) (recommended);
  • Have the ability to swim;
  • Have a recent dive medical test (<1 year);

  • Provide a filled application form;

  • Provide a dive log proving your extensive dive experience (minimum 50 logged dives);

This year (2024) there are positions available for the following dates:

  • Approx. 24th of July - 3rd of August, 2024
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