CSA Ocean Sciences Inc. (CSA) maintains an active scientific dive team for the purpose of field sampling, data collection, and a vast array of underwater scientific capabilities. As an Organizational Member of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) and in keeping with CSA’s commitment to safety and the latest diving safety standards, Eirik Kydland CSA Diving Safety Officer (DSO) and Health, Safety, Security, Environment Manager (HSSE), and Frank Johnson, VP of Marine Operations, attended the AAUS DSO meeting held at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia. Several dozen representatives from various scientific diving organizations were present to discuss current trends and standards that effect the scientific diving community.

“Collaborating with other DSOs from around the country and the AAUS Board of Directors presented an excellent opportunity for the sharing of common challenges we face in our unique industry. It ensures that we are operating within the scope of the latest standards set forth by the AAUS, which we take seriously at CSA. Attendance by Mr. Johnson further demonstrates our commitment to safety and provides an added layer of oversight to ensure we are always acting in the best interest of our divers,” explains Kydland.

 The mission of the AAUS is to advance and facilitate safe and productive scientific diving. Organizational membership includes colleges and universities, government agencies, museums and aquaria, environmental and archaeological consulting firms, and community science groups—all sharing a common thread of the use of diving as a research tool and a commitment to the health and safety of scientific divers. AAUS produces standards for the training and certification of scientific divers and the operation of scientific diving programs, maintains statistics detailing scientific diving activities and incident rates, and conducts annual symposia and topical workshops.