2023 UC Davis AAUS Scientific Diver Course

Returning from a Photogrammetry Session

SCHUNRS’ President, Denise Jaffke (left) and Outreach Coordinator, Courtney Higgins (right) is returning from a dive devoted to monitoring one of the Bay’s historic boats.

Pre-dive Safety Meeting

UC Davis Diving Safety Officer and SCHUNRS’ Volunteer Coordinator, Jason Herum, highlighting safe diving protocol at high altitude.

Prepping to Dive

UC Davis surface support team and divers departing the Emerald Bay Campground pier.

Enjoying the Sunshine

SCHUNRS’ Treasurer and Fieldwork Team Lead, John Harreld enjoying the warm sunshine before diving into Tahoe’s cold waters.

Class of 2023

Students and Instructors at UC Davis’ Scientific Diver Certification Course, Emerald Bay Boat-In Campground, Lake Tahoe.

In 2019, SCHUNRS played a central role in creating. organizing, and executing a pilot Scientific Diving course focused on underwater archaeology with UC Davis and has continued to support this annual training through Bodega Marine Laboratory ever since. This year, we collaborated with UC Davis and California State Parks to host the course centered around condition assessments for historic era recreational boats and barges located at the bottom of Lake Tahoe’s Emerald Bay, some of which are exhibits on the Emerald Bay Maritime Heritage Trail.

The UC Davis Scientific Diver Certification Course is an accredited training program for the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS). During the first session of the course in September, students spend seven days immersed in training at the university’s lab in Bodega Bay, aiming to establish a robust foundation in skin and scuba skills while deepening their understanding of diving-related physics, physiology, dive planning, and accident management. The second session involved a dive-day camping and diving excursion to apply this foundation and enhance scientific diving techniques. Parks’ Sierra District hosted the UC Davis dive students during the open water dive segment of this year's training.