91408 - Laboratory of Scientific Diving

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 [http://www.aaus.org/])

In collaboration with:

- Municipality of Bologna, Sports System of the City - Sport Sector - Culture, Sport and City Promotion Department

- 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, Carlo Comandatore, Mariana Machado Toffolo, Francesca De Witt, Stefano Goffredo. Specialized underwater photographer: Miriam Ruocco.

MANDATORY 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 30/6/2024). 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 09:00 to 11:00. A lecture/debriefing of about 2 hours is always performed after diving. There will be seminars/lectures 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.

2024 pics: swimming pool; field work;

2023 pics: swimming pool; field work;

2022 pics: swimming pool; field work; 

2021 pics: swimming pool; field work;

2020 pics: pics not available because the course was taught exclusively online due to COVID emergency;

2019 pics: swimming pool; field work;

2018 pics: 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: subacqueascientifica@marinesciencegroup.org

PROGRAM YEAR 2025

MARCH 3, Monday, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, computer room of Zoology, via Selmi 3, Bologna: PRELIMINARY MEETING FOR PRESENTATION AND LOGISTICS ORGANIZATION

MARCH 10, Monday, 5:00 PM to 87:00 PM, computer room of Zoology, via Selmi 3, Bologna: THEORY LESSON - SCIENTIFIC DIVING AND AMERICAN ACADEMY OF UNDERWATER SCIENCES

MARCH 17, Monday, 8:55 AM, OLYMPIC POOL (via dello Sport, Bologna): DIVING, BASIC SKILLS REACTIVATE.

MARCH 19, Wednesady, 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, computer room of Zoology, THEORY LESSON - PROCEDURES FOR SCIENTIFIC DIVING.

MARCH 31, Monday, 8:55 AM, OLYMPIC POOL (via dello Sport, Bologna): DIVING, DIVING COMPASS, UNDERWATER NAVIGATION. KNOTS;

APRIL 1, Tuesday, 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, computer room of Zoology, via Selmi 3, Bologna: SEMINAR "THE INVOLVEMENT OF CITIZENS IN ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING" (www.DUEproject.org).

APRIL 7, Monday, 8:55 AM, OLYMPIC POOL (via dello Sport, Bologna): DIVING: TRANSECTS (USE OF METRIC ROPE, QUADRATS, CALIPER).

APRIL 10, Thursday, 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, computer room of Zoology, via Selmi 3, Bologna: THEORY LESSON: NITROX. THE ADVANTAGES AND LIMITS OF OXYGEN ENRICHMENT; NITROX DIVE PLANNING (DIVING TABLES).

APRIL 14, Monday, 8:55 AM, OLYMPIC POOL (via dello Sport, Bologna): PRACTICAL NITROX DIVES; LIFT BAG. UNDERWATER SEXTANT. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

APRIL 16, Wednesday, 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM, Lecture Hall, Piazza Scaravilli 2, first floor, Bologna: Seminar "The Decompression: history, fisiopatology, strategies and new models"; Prof. Enzo Spisni, Physiologist, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna

MAY 5, 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 7, Wednesday, 7.30 PM, ONLINE EVENT: CONFERENCE-SLIDE SHOW "FROM RECREATIONAL TO PROFESSIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY"; Teacher: FRANCESCO SESSO, WORLD CHAMPION OF UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY

MAY 8, Thursday, 8:00 PM: HYPERBARIC CENTER IN RAVENNA. Program: 1) Seminar on "Dive Computers and new algorithms", Dr Pasquale Longobardi, director of the Ravenna 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 12, Monday, 8:55 AM, OLYMPIC POOL (via dello Sport, Bologna): RESCUE. WRITTEN TEST.

MAY 19, Monday, 8:55 AM, OLYMPIC POOL (via dello Sport, Bologna): ADDITIONAL TRAINING ON SCIENTIFIC DIVING TECNIQUES AND USE OF DIVER'S SAFETY BUOY TUBE; BRIEFING ON UNDERWATER FIELD WORK AND SAMPLING; DELIVER OF EQUIPMENT FOR FIELD WORK.

MAY 21, Wednesday, 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, computer room of Zoology, via Selmi 3, Bologna: STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF DATA FOR FINAL REPORT.

MAY 26, Monday, SCIENTIFIC DIVING 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, all lessons are mandatory.

Other info:

www.marinesciencegroup.org

https://www.sdseducational.org/corsi-sub-scientifici/

www.sdseducationa.org

Readings/Bibliography

Texts / Bibliography

 

NOAA Manuals, 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)

In consideration of the types of activities and teaching methods adopted, attendance in this educational activity requires all students to complete Modules 1 and 2 in e-learning mode and to participate in Module 3, which provides specific training on safety and health in study environments. Information on the dates and attendance modalities for Module 3 can be found in the dedicated section of the degree program's website.

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:

- the SCUBA skills demonstrated during pool training;

- the written exam;

- the scientific diving skills demonstrated during the field-work;

- the 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

See the website of Miriam Ruocco