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Diver Courses

NOAA Diver Course

This course is for NOAA employees/contractors, or other U.S. government employees who need to dive as part of their employment duties. NOAA Diving courses are not open to the public.

For information about NOAA diving careers and diving opportunities for both youth and adults, please see the Diving Opportunities page.

The intensive and physically demanding three week NOAA Diver course is designed for the beginner diver. It starts with diving basics and works through scientific diving, underwater dive tasks, diving safety, rescue techniques, and NOAA policies and procedures. The intent is for the diver to finish the training with the diving experience and knowledge needed to conduct underwater tasks as a dive buddy or standby diver at their unit. Successful completion of this course authorizes the candidate as a NOAA Diver.

By the end of week three individuals have gained experience in various facets of diving and underwater work techniques, including: Lift Bags and Rigging, Reels and Surface Marker Buoys, Reduced Visibility, Ship Husbandry, and Search and Recovery Techniques.

Duration

Three weeks

Certifications

  • Authorization to dive with NOAA
  • SDI Advanced Adventure Diver
  • TDI Nitrox Diver (optional)

Course Dates and Locations

NOAA Diver courses are typically held in January, May, and September, and are held at the NOAA Diving Center (NDC) in Seattle, WA. Dates and locations may change at any time. For specific upcoming course dates, locations, and application deadlines see the NDP Training Google Calendar.

  • January: Seattle, WA
    • Application deadline: first Friday of November
  • May: Seattle, WA
    • Application deadline: second Friday of March
  • September: Seattle, WA
    • Application deadline: second Friday of July

Course Cost and Fees

The NOAA Diving Program no longer charges course fees, however the student's agency is responsible for covering all costs related to lodging, all meals, equipment, and travel. Only local, state, or federal employees who need to dive as part of their job description are permitted to attend training. Courses are not open to the public. 

Equipment Requirements

Please see the NOAA Diver Sample Student Gear List for a list of recommended equipment and gear. Diver Candidates will be issued a complete pack list upon acceptance into the program. The list of required items includes:

  • SCUBA diving mask
    • Non-purge type
    • Should provide a leak-free fit, with a tempered fracture-resistant lens
    • If you wear glasses on land, consider ordering an optical mask or optical inserts, or wear contact lenses
    • Multiple sets of drysuit undergarments. Students will spend several days in drysuits during the course. Please see the Drysuit Layering Guide for how to properly layer your undergarments.
  • Laptop or tablet to access student materials and exams online
  • Non-NOAA students must also provide all their own diving equipment
    • Non-NOAA candidates should bring whatever diving equipment they will be using at their agency after training.
    • After acceptance, non-NOAA candidates will need to submit service records for the diving equipment they will bring to class.

Prerequisites

Prospective students must complete all prerequisites and all application materials on or before the established application deadline in order to be considered for the NOAA Diver course, unless otherwise indicated.

  1. Diving physical examination and form, approved by the NOAA DMO
  2. CPR, AED, and First Aid training certifications, valid through the end of training
    1. Certifications must be from the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or an equivalent course.
    2. Training can be either entirely in person, or a blended online/in person course. Online-only courses will not be accepted.
  3. A Basic Open Water certification from an organization accredited by the World Recreational Scuba Training Council (external link), such as SDI, TDI, or PADI.
  4. Successful completion of the NOAA Diver initial swim test and form.
  5. After acceptance: completion of the online portion of the DAN Emergency Oxygen for SCUBA Diving Injuries class is required. Once you have received confirmation of registration from the NOAA Diving Center, a separate link with the DAN eLearning materials and instructions will be e-mailed to you at the address you provided. Please let us know if you already have an email address associated with DAN.

Application Package

All of the following application materials must be completed and received by the NOAA Diving Center on or before the established application deadline in order to be accepted. Deadlines are at least 60 days prior to the course start date. See the NDP Training Google Calendar for specific deadlines. All application materials (except medical forms) should be submitted to the NDP Support Team. Incomplete application packages or forms will not be accepted.

  • NF 57-03-38 Training Request and Authorization Form
  • NF 57-03-39 Initial Swim Test Evaluation
    • There will be a second swim test evaluation conducted at the beginning of the NOAA Diver course. Candidates who do not pass the in-class test will not be allowed to continue training.
  • NF 57-03-09 Liability Release and Assumption of Risk (if you are not a federal employee)
  • Copies of your CPR, AED, and First Aid certificates, valid through the end of class
  • Copy of your Basic Open Water Diver certification
  • NF 57-03-52 Report of Physical Examination (Initial exam)
    • Please send medical forms directly to the NOAA Diving Medical Officer (DMO), using a secured method of transfer since these forms contain sensitive PII.
    • All candidates must have their diving physical examinations cleared by the NOAA DMO before you can be accepted into a course. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you begin the process to complete the diving medical physical exam as soon as possible to prevent delays in processing your application.
  • Non-NOAA candidates only: service records showing that diving equipment being used during class has been serviced within the 12 months of your course start date (after acceptance into a course).

Next Steps

After the application deadline, the NOAA Diving program makes a decision on which candidates will attend the next course. This decision is primarily based on the operational needs of NOAA. Most other government agency candidates who dive as part of their job description are accepted as space allows on a first come, first served basis. Once a decision is made, all accepted and waitlisted students will be notified via a welcome letter with specific instructions.

NOAA employees can view the status of their applications and materials here.

  • Preparing for your NOAA Diver class (downloadable .pdf tip sheet)
  • Please see the Sample Student Gear List for a complete list of what to bring with you to class.
  • Physical fitness training. The three-week NOAA Diver course is physically demanding: you will wear approximately 75 lbs. of equipment on land, 3 times a day, followed by homework and reading assignments. In addition, at the beginning of the course there is a second 500 meter swim test that must be completed in 15 minutes or fewer, and candidates who do not pass will not be allowed to continue training. So, it is to your advantage if you are physically prepared for the course with a pre-class fitness regimen. Suggested pre-class fitness activities include bicycling, running, swimming, racquet sports, and weight training.
  • After acceptance: completion of the online portion of the Divers Alert Network (DAN) Emergency Oxygen for SCUBA Diving Injuries class is required. Once you have received confirmation of registration from the NOAA Diving Center, a separate link with the DAN materials and instructions will be e-mailed to you. Please let us know if you are already registered (have an email account) with DAN.

 

NOAA Divemaster Course

This course is for NOAA employees/contractors, or other U.S. government employees who need to dive as part of their employment duties. NOAA Diving courses are not open to the public.

For information about NOAA diving careers and diving opportunities for both youth and adults, please see this page.

The NOAA Divemaster course is an intensive two-week program designed to help students develop the leadership skills necessary to safely and effectively plan and supervise NOAA diving activities. During the course students receive substantial theoretical and practical instruction aimed at exposing them to a variety of equipment, tasks, situations, and environments typically encountered as NOAA Divemasters. Students are evaluated on their management of diving operations and response to emergency situations and must pass a final written examination in order to receive certification.

This class is taught concurrently with the last two weeks of the NOAA Diver course in order for the Divemaster candidates to gain practical experience in directing actual diving operations.

Course Topics Covered

  • Accident Causation
  • Operational Risk Management
  • Diver Leadership. Planning and Operations
  • NOAA Dive Accident Management
  • NOAA Field Reference Guide
  • Ship Husbandry
  • NOAA/OSHA Diving Regulations
  • Lead and Supervise Dive Operations
  • Pre-dive Equipment Checks and Troubleshooting
  • Neurological Exams
  • Problem Management and Counseling
  • Line Tending of Standby Divers
  • Oxygen Administration
  • Backboarding and Spinal Immobilization
  • Injured Diver Extraction Practical
  • Extract a Diver, Perform CPR, and Administer 100% Oxygen During Diving Emergencies

Duration

Two weeks

Certification

  • NOAA Divemaster
  • SDI Divemaster

Course Dates and Locations

NOAA diver courses are typically held in January, May, and September, and are either held in Key West, or at the NOAA Diving Center in Seattle. Upcoming course dates and deadlines can be found on the NDP Training Google Calendar.

  • January: Seattle, WA
    • Application deadline: first Friday of November
  • May: Seattle, WA
    • Application deadline: second Friday of March
  • September: Seattle, WA
    • Application deadline: second Friday of July

Course Cost and Fees

The NOAA Diving Program no longer charges course fees, however the student's agency is responsible for covering all costs related to lodging, all meals, equipment, and travel. Only local, state, or federal employees who need to dive as part of their job description are permitted to attend training. Courses are not open to the public.

Equipment Requirements

A full gear list will be available after acceptance, or by request.

  • Laptop or tablet to access student materials and exams online
  • Wrist watch or other timing device
  • Cutting device
  • Closed-toe shoes
  • Outdoor clothing for various weather conditions
  • Diving equipment (optional for non-NOAA candidates, unless you are participating in the dive day)

Prerequisites

Please note: the following certification training courses can be either entirely in person, or a blended online/in person course. Online-only courses will not be accepted.

  • Current CPR, AED and First Aid certification (must be from the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or an equivalent course)*
  • Current Oxygen Administration for Diving Injuries certification (must be from DAN, or an equivalent course)
  • A SCUBA certification from an organization accredited by the World Recreational Scuba Training Council (external link), such as SDI, TDI, or PADI. 
  • If you are a NOAA employee, you must also have a current NOAA Diver certification

Application Package

All of the following application materials must be completed and received by the NOAA Diving Center on or before the established application deadline in order to be accepted.  Deadlines are at least 60 days prior to the course start date. Please see the NDP Training Google Calendar for specific deadlines. All application materials (except medical forms) should be submitted to the NDP Support Team. Incomplete application packages or forms will not be accepted.

  • NF 57-03-38 Training Request and Authorization Form
  • NF 57-03-09 Liability Release and Assumption of Risk Form (if you are not a federal employee)
  • Copies of your CPR, AED, First Aid, and Oxygen Administration certificates, valid through the end of class. (NOAA employees only: If you are an existing NOAA Diver and if your safety certifications are current in the NOAA Dive Log, then you may omit this step.)
  • Copy of your initial diving certification
  • NF 57-03-52 Report of Physical Examination (Initial exam) 
    • Please send medical forms directly to the NOAA Diving Medical Officer (DMO), using a secured method of transfer as these forms contain sensitive PII. 
    • Non-NOAA candidates only: in lieu of this form, you may send your organization’s diving medical clearance to the DMO for final approval. DoD physical exam forms may be used if all of the required tests and information are included with your submission.
    • All candidates must have their diving physical examinations cleared by the NOAA DMO before you can be accepted into a course. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you begin the process to complete the diving medical physical exam as soon as possible to prevent delays in processing your application. 
    • NOAA employees only: If you are an existing NOAA Diver, check your NOAA Dive Log profile to see if you need to submit this form, or if you need to submit the NF 57-03-54 Annual Update instead. Your medical DMO clearance must be valid through the end of your course. If your medical is valid through the end of training, you may omit these medical forms from your application package.
  • Non-NOAA candidates only: if you are participating in the optional divemaster dive day, please send service records showing that diving equipment being used during class has been serviced within the last 12 months of your course start date (after acceptance into a course).

Accepted Divemaster Students

After the application deadline, the NOAA Diving program makes a decision on which candidates will attend the next course. This decision is primarily based on the operational needs of NOAA. Most other government agency candidates who dive as part of their job description are accepted as space allows on a first come, first served basis. NOAA employees can view the status of their applications and materials here.

Preparing for your NOAA divemaster Class (downloadable .pdf tip sheet) .

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