A Brief History of AAUS

Organized in 1977, the AAUS was incorporated in the State of California in 1983. The Board of Directors, responsible for governing the corporation, consists of an elected President, President-Elect, Secretary, an appointed Treasurer, three elected Directors and four appointed Directors. The AAUS has five standing Committees (Standards, Statistics, Scholarship, Membership and Finance).  

An Advisory Board of past board members provides continuity and a core of expertise to the AAUS. Membership in the Academy is granted to individuals in the member, associate member and student member categories, and to organizations currently engaged in scientific diving activities.  

Scientific diving programs allow research diving teams to operate under the exemption from OSHA commercial diving regulations.  

AAUS Member Organizations help protect themselves from possible fines and civil suits by their confirmed commitment to meeting AAUS requirements and adherence to a set of standards recognized as the "standard of practice" within the scientific diving community.  

Following a consensual set of standards enables AAUS member organizations to enjoy reciprocity when collaborating on research projects with other AAUS member organizations. This reciprocity is the product of years of experience, trust and cooperation between underwater scientists.