Scientific diving is diving performed to collect specimens or data for scientific use under the auspices of an educational or research institute operating in accordance with the Canadian Association for Underwater Science Standard of Practice for Scientific Diving.

Scientific diving does not include diving for construction work, excavation, salvage, demolition, destruction, maintenance, repair or inspection of underwater structures, nor the collection of organisms for consumption or commercial use.

Prior to commencing operations as a scientific diver, the candidate must demonstrate competency according to Competency Standards.  Competency evaluation will be conducted by the Diving  Officer or a designate on a yearly basis.

Before commencing scientific diving training, the candidate must fulfill the following entry requirements:
(a) be 18 years of age or older, or must be of legal age in the province or have signed authorization form from a parent or legal guardian;
(b) possess a current Project Description and approval;
(c) possess a nationally recognized SCUBA Certification;
(d) log at least 5 open water dives with at least 2.5 hours underwater time;
(e) be declared medically fit to dive by a licensed physician knowledgeable in diving medicine;
(f) signed waiver and release forms;
(g) complete a diver registration form;
(h) possess a current, nationally recognized First Aid and CPR Certification.

In the training activities,
(a) The candidate must demonstrate knowledge in, and understanding of, diving theory by completing a written exam.
(b) The candidate must demonstrate a good physical condition by a swimming and watermanship exam.
(c) The diver must demonstrate the ability to perform basic diving skills in an open water environment by a performance evaluation.
(d) The candidate must demonstrate proficiency in diver rescue and accident management procedures specific to location, mode, and condition of diving to be undertaken. By a performance evaluation.
(e) The candidate must demonstrate proficiency in providing oxygen therapy to an injured diver.

To achieve the Scientific Diver I rating, the diver must:
(a) Fulfill all basic entry requirements.
(b) demonstrate competency
(c) accumulate a minimum 25 logged dives and 15 hours bottom time (with at least 15 of these dives accomplished as a Diver-In-Training) or have logged a minimum of 50 dives and 25 hours of bottom time.

A Scientific Diver I is limited to a maximum diving depth of 20 m and may act as a Scientific Attendant for dives shallower than 20m under the direct supervision of a Scientific  Diver 1 or Diving Officer .

To achieve the Scientific Diver II rating, the diver must:
(a) be a certified Scientific Diver I;
(b) be registered for an approved project that requires diving between 20 m and 40 m;
(c) complete an exam with a minimum grade of 75% in the physics and physiology of deeper diving; plan and execute a minimum of 4 working dives to the anticipated depth under the direct supervision of the Diving Officer; demonstrate proficiency in areas including but not limited to:
 
1) deep diving pre-dive planning including breathing gas consumption calculations;
2) selection and use of redundant air systems;
3) briefing procedures including narcosis awareness, gas and time monitoring, dive termination criteriia.
4) appropriate dressing in and equipment assembly procedures for deep extended dives;
5) pre-dive and in-water safety checks;
6) maintenance of the buddy system;
7) ascent rates, safety stops, post dive activities.

A Scientific Diver II may act as a Surface Safety Attendant for dives deeper than 20 m, and must observe the following restrictions:
 
(a) maximum diving depth of 40 m;
(b) must dive with Diving Safety Officer or another Scientific Diver II when deeper than 20 m.