DEFINITIONS – www.esdpanel.eu

Occupational Scientific Diving (OSD)
OSD is diving that is science‐led and is needed to support professional research and education and for the protection, conservation and monitoring of the natural and cultural heritage environment.
It is not recreational nor commercial diving.
OSD exists in a health and safety framework that involves certified scientific divers, diving officers, hyperbaric physicians, scientific project leaders, heads of laboratories, administrators and legislators.
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Citizen Science Diving (CSD)
Participatory science (involving a lay public) is a very diverse field, which may or may not be driven by scientific projects co-constructed with professional scientists. Data may or may not be collected according to validated protocols in order to be effectively used (quality control).
The ESDP, with its focus on science, cannot be involved in all types of citizens’ initiatives. The Panel strongly supports the contribution of scientifically validated citizen actions within the framework of approved scientific projects.
In this context, Citizen Science Diving (CSD) is diving carried out by qualified amateur divers as part of a specific scientific project.
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Occupational Scientific Diving standards
ESDP standards are a necessary resource for national regulatory bodies concerned with occupational health and safety. They define the required level of competency for diving scientists, ensuring they possess the requisite skills and knowledge for safe and effective underwater operations. Furthermore, these standards facilitate the free movement of scientific personnel within the EU, thereby promoting international collaboration on sub-aquatic research initiatives.
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European Scientific Diving Panel (ESDP)
The ESDP is made up of representatives appointed by their national committees. The panel acts as an operational platform to advance underwater scientific excellence and to promote and implement a practical support framework for occupational scientific diving related activities.
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National Scientific Diving Committee (NSDC)
The NSDC is representative of all OSD activities (in all disciplines) in a Member State. It is set up in accordance with the legislation of each country. If it is initially ad hoc, it must be recognised by a competent legal authority, usually a ministry (labour, research, culture, etc.) or a major institution officially entrusted with this responsibility. Its composition must enable it to be aware of:
– all OSD activities at national level, in all disciplines
– national underwater regulations and techniques and any changes thereto.
It appoints one of its members to represent the entire national OSD community within the ESDP. The NSDC promulgates, applies and enforces European levels of competence for scientific diving at work, fully compatible with ESD and AESD. It provides / publishes the updated list of its members and participating institutions. It also publishes its statutes, minutes of meetings, the name of the national certification and the issuing authority.
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ESDP’s statutory members
A country becomes a statutory member of the ESDP when occupational scientific diving is legally recognised, as are the levels of ESD and AESD competence (training). The publication of legal texts (laws, regulations, etc.) and the official list of approved training centres are also required. The NSCD ensures documented quality control of ESD training and certification in the Member State.
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