Scientific diving in Germany includes all diving work in a professional scientific and filmmaking journalistic environment. This includes e.g. archaeological excavations, zoological or botanical sampling, scientific photo and film documentation, sediment sampling, geological work etc.
All persons who dive for professional reasons (regardless of whether freelance, employed or in training) must provide proof of the "certified research diver" qualification regulated by the professional association.
The legal basis for research diving is largely based on the accident prevention regulation "Diving Work" (BGV C23) for professional divers. This regulation was adapted to the specific purposes of research diving and is now valid as the rule " Operation of research divers" (BGR/GUV-R 101-023). This regulates the training and practice of diving in a scientific environment.
Since January 2006, sport diving certificates can be recognised in Germany as part of the training to become a "certified research diver". However, sport diving certificates do not in any way replace the training to become a "certified research diver" conducted by a training centre recognised by the employers' liability insurance association in conjunction with a comprehensive final examination before the examination board for research divers at the DGUV.
Why research diving and not recreational diving?
As part of their training, research divers gain the ability to work safely and professionally on a scientific task under water. Research divers are deployed on the basis of the provisions of the Seventh Book of the German Social Law Code (SGB VII) in conjunction with the regulations and rules of the employers' liability insurance association issued on the basis of SGB VII, as well as state laws and ordinances, such as:
Occupational Health and Safety Act (ArbSchG). Occupational Safety Act (AsiG)
Industrial Safety Ordinance (BetrSichV)
Machinery Ordinance (9th ProdSV)
Working Hours Act (ArbZG)
Workplace Ordinance (ArbStättV)
Statutory accident insurance is probably the least known branch of the German social insurance system. However, after health insurance, statutory accident insurance is the second oldest social insurance in Germany.
The Accident Insurance Act of 6 July 1884 was the first of its kind in the world. It resulted in a fundamental change. Until then, compensation for an accident at work or an occupational disease had to be claimed directly against the employer - often a hopeless endeavour, as the employer had to be proven at fault by the employee.
Since then, compensation for an occupational accident or disease can be claimed from the responsible accident insurance institution, which replaces the liability of the individual employers. Among other things, this also serves to safeguard industrial peace.
The primary task of the statutory accident insurance institutions is the prevention of accidents at the workplace (and at school) and prevention of work-related health hazards. However, despite all the successes in occupational safety and health protection, accidents and illnesses do occur.
Should an accident or occupational disease occur despite all efforts in occupational safety and health protection, the principle of the statutory accident insurance institutions is "rehabilitation before pension"!
Read more: The German Statutory Accident Insurance Association