Marine Diving Technician, Certificate of Achievement (C)

Program Overview

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Marine Diving Technician, Certificate of Achievement (C)

Overview

A certificate of achievement as a Marine Diving Technician certifies professional commercial divers for employment under ANSI/ACDE- industry standards. The training curriculum includes instruction in all phases of commercial diving, hyperbaric medicine, bell/saturation diving emergency medicine, and remote operated vehicles (ROV’s) to name but a few. Teamwork and Safety are the prime emphases of marine technician training. Students completing the certificate program receive industry certifications which are required for employment. Students completing the full certificate program have the option to seek employment in the marine industry or combine their completed coursework toward an Associate in Science degree in Marine Technology at SBCC.

Admission Requirements

• The program is open to all interested students to both diving and non-diving classes.
• Non-diving students submit an SBCC Application to Admissions Office.
• Students enrolling in diving classes, provide proof of diving certification and submit the Department Application for Diving

Certificate of Achievement Requirements

Complete all Department Requirements for the Certificate of Achievement with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or better. Candidates for a Certificate of Achievement are required to complete at least 20% of the department requirements through SBCC.

Department Requirements

Course List Code	Title	Units
MDT 101	Information and Introduction to Marine Diving Technology	0.3
MDT 104	Fundamentals and Practices of Diving	2
MDT 105	Advanced Scuba Techniques	1.7
MDT 106	Open Water Navigation And Rescue	0.7
MDT 107	Hyperbaric Chamber Operations	1.5
MDT 108	Rigging	1
MDT 109	Seamanship and Small Boat Handling	1.5
MDT 111	First Aid For The Diving Professional	1.4
MDT 112	Introduction To Marine Welding	1.1
MDT 140	Principles Of Surface-Supplied Diving	1
MDT 141	Commercial Diving Equipment	1.5
MDT 142	Surface-Supplied Ocean Diving	1.8
MDT 143	Mixed Gas Diving	1.1
MDT 145	Principles Of Underwater Cutting And Welding	1
MDT 146	Advanced Underwater Cutting And Welding	1.5
MDT 147	Ocean Structures	0.5
MDT 148	Hydraulics I	0.7
MDT 152	Underwater Tools And Inspection	1.7
MDT 154	Bell And Saturation Diving Procedures	1.7
MDT 179	Nitrox Diving	0.8
MDT 190	Assessment And Development Of Diving Competence	1
Total Units	25.50

Recommended Electives

Course List Code	Title	Units
BIOL 124	Biological Oceanography	3-4
or BIOL 142	Marine Science
or ERTH 151	Introductory Physical Oceanography
BIOL 125	Marine Biology	4
CS 101	Computer Concepts	4
DRFT 101	Basic Drafting	3-5
or DRFT 130	Computer-Assisted Drafting And Design I
or ENGR 105	Engineering Graphics
EMT 110	Emergency Medical Technician-Basic	6
PE 134A	Swimming For Conditioning: Beginning	1.5
PHYS 101 & 101L	Conceptual Physics and Conceptual Physics Laboratory	4

Learning Outcomes

• Meet the qualifications of an entry-level commercial diver established by the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the United States Coast Guard, the American National Standards Institute and the Association of Diving Contractors
• Comprehend physical laws governing hyperbaric and industrial operations in a marine environment
• Conduct hyperbaric and industrial-related activities safely and in accordance with recognized agency and industry standards
• Apply knowledge of diving techniques and associated capabilities to determine proper operational procedures for diverse marine-related construction, inspection, maintenance, repair and decommissioning projects
• Perform the assigned duties of an entry-level diver as an individual or member of a support team in a safe, effective and efficient manner

Recommended Sequence

Make an appointment with your SBCC academic counselor through Starfish to create a Student Education Plan that reflects a recommended course sequence for this program that is tailored to your individual needs.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

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Overview:

A certificate of achievement as a Marine Diving Technician certifies professional commercial divers for employment under ANSI/ACDE-01-1998 industry standards. The training curriculum encompasses instruction in all aspects of commercial diving, including hyperbaric medicine, bell/saturation diving emergency medicine, and remote operated vehicles (ROVs). Teamwork and safety are paramount in marine technician training. Graduates of the certificate program receive industry certifications essential for employment. They can either seek employment in the marine industry or continue their education towards an Associate in Science degree in Marine Technology at SBCC.

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Objectives:

• Meet the qualifications of an entry-level commercial diver established by the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the United States Coast Guard, the American National Standards Institute, and the Association of Diving Contractors.
• Understand the physical laws governing hyperbaric and industrial operations in a marine environment.
• Conduct hyperbaric and industrial-related activities safely and according to recognized agency and industry standards.
• Apply knowledge of diving techniques and capabilities to determine proper operational procedures for various marine-related construction, inspection, maintenance, repair, and decommissioning projects.
• Perform the assigned duties of an entry-level diver as an individual or team member safely, effectively, and efficiently.

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Outline:

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Content and Structure:

The certificate program comprises the following essential coursework:

• Information and Introduction to Marine Diving Technology
• Fundamentals and Practices of Diving
• Advanced Scuba Techniques
• Open Water Navigation and Rescue
• Hyperbaric Chamber Operations
• Rigging
• Seamanship and Small Boat Handling
• First Aid for the Diving Professional
• Introduction to Marine Welding
• Principles of Surface-Supplied Diving
• Commercial Diving Equipment
• Surface-Supplied Ocean Diving
• Mixed Gas Diving
• Principles of Underwater Cutting and Welding
• Advanced Underwater Cutting and Welding
• Ocean Structures
• Hydraulics I
• Underwater Tools and Inspection
• Bell and Saturation Diving Procedures
• Nitrox Diving
• Assessment and Development of Diving Competence

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Modules with Descriptions:

• Information and Introduction to Marine Diving Technology: Explores diving history, terminology, equipment, and hazards, as well as career opportunities and the role of diving in various industries.
• Fundamentals and Practices of Diving: Introduces the fundamentals of scuba diving, including equipment, decompression theory, dive planning, and underwater navigation.
• Advanced Scuba Techniques: Delves into specialized scuba diving techniques, such as underwater search and recovery, underwater photography, and night diving.
• Open Water Navigation and Rescue: Focuses on developing advanced navigational skills for scuba diving in open water environments.
It also covers rescue techniques for scuba divers.
• Hyperbaric Chamber Operations: Familiarizes students with hyperbaric chamber operations, including hyperbaric chamber maintenance and safety protocols.
• Rigging: Instructs students in rigging techniques used in commercial diving operations.
• Seamanship and Small Boat Handling: Provides knowledge and skills in seamanship and small boat handling relevant to commercial diving operations.
• First Aid for the Diving Professional: Equips students with first aid and CPR techniques specific to diving emergencies.
• Introduction to Marine Welding: Introduces marine welding techniques, equipment, and safety procedures used in underwater welding operations.
• Principles of Surface-Supplied Diving: Explores the principles and techniques of surface-supplied diving, including surface gas supply systems and diver communications.
• Commercial Diving Equipment: Familiarizes students with the various equipment used in commercial diving operations and their maintenance and operation procedures.
• Surface-Supplied Ocean Diving: Provides hands-on experience in surface-supplied diving, including underwater construction, repair, and maintenance operations.
• Mixed Gas Diving: Focuses on the theory and practice of mixed gas diving, including gas blending and diving procedures for mixed gas environments.
• Principles of Underwater Cutting and Welding: Introduces the principles and techniques of underwater cutting and welding, including equipment and safety procedures.
• Advanced Underwater Cutting and Welding: Delves into advanced techniques for underwater cutting and welding, including underwater welding inspection and repair procedures.
• Ocean Structures: Examines the various types of underwater structures, their construction, maintenance, and repair techniques.
• Hydraulics I: Provides a basic understanding of hydraulic principles and their application in marine diving operations.
• Underwater Tools and Inspection: Covers the different tools used in underwater inspection and repair operations and their proper use and maintenance.
• Bell and Saturation Diving Procedures: Explores bell and saturation diving procedures, including saturation diving systems and decompression procedures.
• Nitrox Diving: Instructs students in the use of enriched air nitrox in recreational and technical diving.
• Assessment and Development of Diving Competence: Evaluates students' diving skills and knowledge, providing feedback for improvement and development.

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Assessment:

The program uses a variety of assessment methods to evaluate student learning, including:

• Practical skills demonstrations in diving simulations and real-world diving environments.
• Written exams and quizzes to test theoretical knowledge and understanding of diving principles and procedures.
• Oral presentations to assess students' communication skills and their ability to convey diving knowledge and experiences.
• Projects and assignments to demonstrate students' problem-solving abilities and their proficiency in applying diving techniques to practical applications.

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Teaching:

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Teaching Methods:

The program employs various teaching methods to provide a comprehensive learning experience for students:

• Lectures: Instructors deliver theoretical knowledge and principles of diving through lectures and presentations.
• Hands-on Training: Students actively participate in diving simulations and real-world diving scenarios to develop practical skills and experience.
• Field Trips: The program organizes field trips to diving sites, allowing students to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world settings.
• Guest Speakers: Industry professionals are invited to share their experiences and expertise in commercial diving, providing students with insights into the field's practical aspects.

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Faculty:

The program is led by experienced instructors and faculty who hold industry certifications and have extensive practical knowledge in commercial diving. They provide personalized guidance, mentorship, and support to students throughout the program.

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Unique Approaches:

The program emphasizes teamwork and safety as essential elements in commercial diving. Students work together in teams to complete assignments, projects, and diving simulations, learning the importance of communication, coordination, and reliance on one another in diving operations.

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Careers:

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Potential Career Paths:

Graduates of the Marine Diving Technician certificate program can pursue careers as:

• Commercial divers
• Dive supervisors
• Underwater welders
• Underwater inspectors
• Remotely operated vehicle (ROV) operators
• Hyperbaric chamber operators

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Job Opportunities:

The program prepares graduates for employment in various industries, including:

• Offshore construction
• Underwater repair and maintenance
• Marine salvage and recovery
• Scientific research
• Aquaculture

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Earnings and Job Outlook:

Commercial divers can earn competitive salaries depending on their experience, skills, and certification levels. The job outlook for commercial divers is expected to remain favorable due to the increasing demand for skilled divers in offshore energy exploration and production, underwater construction projects, and environmental protection efforts.