SOES diving

We do not train students to dive, as you can do this with the University Sub-Aqua Club or the many dive schools in the UK and worldwide.

There are opportunities for competent divers to become involved with much of our underwater research on a voluntary basis. There are undergraduate, MSc, PhD and staff projects needing help from divers each year. We have a large diving air compressor and a number of cyclinders, but do not supply any other equipment.

Diving with Ocean and Earth Science as a volunteer requires an appropriate qualification and evidence of medical fitness to dive as specified by your diving organisation (BSAC, PADI, etc). Being employed as a diver requires an HSE medical certificate, which must be renewed annually.

To carry out useful tasks underwater, diving skills need to be second nature. If you are inexperienced or have not dived recently, you should practice with a local diving club or dive school.

Currently most of our diving is based in Studland Bay, Dorset studying its seagrass and seahorses, supporting research projects by students and University/NOC colleagues.

Ken has been undertaking scientific diving locally and around the world for 50 years, former chair of the UK Scientific Diving Supervisory Committee, which offers a pathway through to formal European Scientific Diver certification.

Please email Ken kjc@soton.ac.uk directly if you would like to join our volunteer dive team, which includes many external experienced and professional divers.