COVID-19: Dive
Updates on COVID-19: Scientific Diving
Guidance around the conditional return to necessary diving activities has recently been developed. This Guidance is specific to scientific diving and includes safety measures that need to be employed during the COVID-19 pandemic. All dive activities must be approved by both a researcher’s leadership (college dean or chancellor) as well as the Diving Control Board (DCB). Read the full guidance document.
Researchers should review Penn State's phases for gradually returning to on-campus research, which were announced by the Senior Vice President for Research on May 19, 2020. Although aligned with Pennsylvania’s phases, Penn State’s Return to Research Phases are separate and distinct from the Commonwealth’s color-coded phases and are moving at a different pace.
This webpage has been created to share the answers to COVID-19-related questions as pertains to the operation and oversight of scientific diving. For more information on on other research areas visit https://www.research.psu.edu/covid.
Travel Restrictions
Beginning July 1, 2020, employees must seek permission for University-affiliated domestic travel, including air travel, from their unit executive (e.g., dean, chancellor). Employees are asked to limit travel where possible and consider virtual options that might replace or reduce the need to travel. Read more about travel policies at Penn State.
Research Dive Activities
Guidance around the conditional return to necessary diving activities has recently been developed. This Guidance is specific to scientific diving and includes safety measures that need to be employed during the COVID-19 pandemic. All dive activities must be approved by both a researcher’s leadership (college dean or chancellor) as well as the Diving Control Board (DCB). Read the full guidance document.
Please direct any questions related to the conditions that need to be met before proceeding with research to your college dean or chancellor. Questions related to the Minimum COVID-19 Exposure Control Diving Guidelines to be Employed may be directed to the Dive Safety Officer (DSO), Tim White (tsw113@psu.edu).
Training Activities
All face-to-face training activities have been suspended. The Natatorium, as well as other University building facilities, are temporarily closed. There may be an opportunity for online learning, and if that becomes available, additional details about the offering(s) will be distributed.
See below for answers to Frequently Asked Questions regarding scientific diving updates related to COVID-19.
All dive activities must be approved by both a researcher’s leadership (college dean or chancellor) as well as the Diving Control Board (DCB). Read the full guidance document. Researchers must follow Penn State's travel policies.
Regardless of location, all dive activities must be approved by both a researcher’s leadership (college dean or chancellor) as well as the Diving Control Board (DCB). Read the full guidance document.
The Diving Control Board (DCB), in consultation with the Diving Safety Officer (DSO), will take the dive restriction period into consideration when making a decision about your dive request, once the dive restriction is lifted. A grace period for such circumstances may be granted if deemed necessary.