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Courses
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Choosing a course is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make! View our courses and see what our students and lecturers have to say about the courses you are interested in at the links below.
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University Life
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About University of Galway
About University of Galway
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Colleges & Schools
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Research & Innovation
Research & Innovation
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Business & Industry
Guiding Breakthrough Research at University of Galway
We explore and facilitate commercial opportunities for the research community at University of Galway, as well as facilitating industry partnership.
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Alumni & Friends
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Community Engagement
Community Engagement
At University of Galway, we believe that the best learning takes place when you apply what you learn in a real world context. That's why many of our courses include work placements or community projects.
Accessibility & LanguageDiving
What is Scientific Diving at University of Galway and what legal standards apply?
Scientific diving qualifies as diving for work in the Republic of Ireland, and therefore is subject to strict regulation via the Diving Regulations 2018 which are enforced by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). Any researcher or student interested in using SCUBA diving as a research tool should read the University Galway SCUBA Diving Policy and Procedures QA190 adapted from the HSA Diving at Work Guidelines 2018.
Does University of Galway have a policy on diving?
Yes, NUI Galway has the SCUBA Diving Policy and Procedures QA190 in place which set out the Policy and Procedures developed to comply with the relevant parts of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Diving) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 254 of 2018) and the Code of Practice for Inland Diving and Inshore Diving (Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Diving) Regulations 2018).
What is the Diving Control Board (DCB) in University of Galway?
The Diving Control Board in University of Galway was formed in 2019 in order to facilitate and regulate scientific operations underwater within the University. The DCB assists with translating HSA regulations, planning and facilitating your diving program, and ensuring diver competency for your staff and students.
What are the required qualifications for Scientific Diving?
a) ISO 24801-3 or equivalent qualifications e.g. CMAS D***/Leading Diver or PADI Divemaster (Scientific Diving certificates preferred)
b) At least 75 logged dives in temperate waters (defined as 5 °C average winter temperatures ad 18 °C summer isotherm)
c) 20 dives to 20 m or greater
d) 40 dives in a dry suit, if dry suits are being used on the project
e) A current dive medical from a registered medical practitioner approved by the Authority to issue a certificate of medical fitness to dive.
The list of approved doctors is on the HSA website.
f) Current diving insurance, equivalent to coverage in Divers Alert Network (DAN) sports silver insurance or greater.
g) Current first aid training (O2, neurological examination, first aid for marine injuries, CPR, AED) and certification with past 2 years
A check out dive with the DCB Dive Officer at University of Galway can be done if you don’t meet training requirements to ensure competency.
How are Diving Projects to be assessed and approved?
- If you are doing research that requires scientific diving you will need to submit a Diving Project Plan to the DCB Dive Officer for approval. The template for this document is linked here.
- All divers on the project, including daily dive supervisors, must meet the required qualifications for scientific diving.
- All named dive supervisors on the project plan must sign and agree with the detail plan.
- Once approved by the DCB Dive Officer the document will go to the DCB for approval
- Daily risk assessments must be done for each dive trip, in which the weather, emergency action plan, and research targets are outlined. This must be signed by the assessor and supervisor on the project. The risk assessment template is linked here.
See link to Diving - schematic of process.
Who are the members of the Diving Control Board (DCB)?
Dariusz Nowak, DCB chair (2023-2026)
Senior Technical Officer in the Department of Zoology, University of Galway
Commercial Diver.
Storm McDonald, Dive Officer (2024 - 2027)
Technical Officer in the Department of Zoology, University of Galway.
PADI Instructor and Mon1 Diving Ireland Instructor, NAUI Scientific Diver.
Alice Daly
Health and Safety Officer, University of Galway.
Dr. Olivier Thomas
Professor in Department of Chemistry (SBCS), University of Galway.
Dr. Maeve Edwards, (not active until September 2025)
Senior Technical Officer in the Department of Zoology (SNS) at University of Galway.
Who is the Dive Officer in University of Galway?
Storm McDonald, Dive Officer (2024 - 2027)
Technical Officer in the Department of Zoology, University of Galway.
PADI Instructor and Mon1 Diving Ireland Instructor, NAUI Scientific Diver.
How can students start scientific diving?
Students who are interested in undertaking or learning about scientific diving should contact an active project within the University or a lab that can facilitate a 4th year project in this capacity. All divers are required to meet minimum training standards in order to participate in a Diving Project.
