Nine earn scientific diving certification at DMC

Nine undergraduate and graduate students recently earned their scientific diving certification at the University of Maine Darling Marine Center in Walpole.

Scientific divers use scuba or other diving equipment to study the underwater environment, says UMaine diving safety officer Christopher Rigaud.

“Our students spend many hours learning about diving physics, physiology, equipment, first aid and rescue techniques, while studying regulatory and scientific policy and procedures,” Rigaud says. “They’re also putting those skills into practice under the water.”

Students earned their certification after successfully completing SMS 324, Introduction to Research Diving. A total of 87 scientific divers have taken part in one of the 11 sessions offered in the last nine years. Graduates have won numerous awards and scholarships.

“I would love to incorporate what I learned from the course into my career,” says Lauren Rice of Harpswell. “When you’re diving, you can get up close and personal with the animal or the subject you’re studying. That’s a valuable experience for a scientist.”

Rice says being underwater is thrilling — especially at night.

“The bioluminescence was strong, so every movement we made sent small blue sparks shooting into the darkness around us,” she says. “It felt like we were swimming through the stars. It was surreal.”

SMS 324 will be offered this summer at the DMC. More about the course is online. UMaine follows the American Academy of Underwater Sciences standards.