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The Dive and Boat Safety Team, part of the wider Research Safety Team (HSE), manages the program however many other entities and systems define and support diving, snorkeling and boating here at KAUST.
KAUST is an Organizational Member (OM) of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS), a scientific diving regulatory body adopted by over 140 institutions worldwide. The AAUS provide a centralized forum to exchange information on scientific diving, advance safety practices and provide standardized legislation that is accepted and practiced by all OMs. KAUST has adopted and adheres to the AAUS legislation for all Scientific Diving.
The Dive Control Board (DCB), by designation of Research Compliance, plays an integral part of Dive Safety at KAUST. The Board, consisting of faculty and staff, oversees all Scientific Diving and are responsible for review and approval of policy and procedures, special/high risk diving activities and incidents. The DCB is also responsible for investigating all diving related non-compliance reports and implementing appropriate action.
For more information, please refer to the Research Compliance website.
The Dive Safety Manual (DSM) is the regulatory document which outlines the standards in which all divers must adhere to when involved with any diving activity connected to KAUST. The DSM contains the standard of entrance, training, and diving which all KAUST policy and guidelines are informed by.
The Dive Safety Team facilitates all Scientific Diving here at KAUST. As a part of the Health, Safety & Environment department, their roles and responsibilities cover all aspects of the Dive Safety Program from administrative and policy, to training, equipment and practical dive safety & support. The team and, in particular, the Diving Safety Officer (DSO) will be a key point of contact for you during your time here at KAUST.
Overview
The KAUST Dive Safety Representative (DSR) Program was initiated in 2024. The primary goals of the program are to increase awareness, communication and collaboration between research groups, that have dive/snorkel activity, and the Dive Safety Team.
The Dive Safety Representatives (DSRs) are designated by the Principal Investigator (PI) to assist in implementing and managing lab Dive Safety and acting as the primary liaison for safety of lab diving activities and with HSE. Their roles and responsibilities include:
Below are the representatives for each group and quick access information for DSRs.
| PI / Group | Primary Contact | Alternate Contact |
| Aranda | Holger Anlauf | Alejandro Prieto / Craig Michell |
| Benzoni | Megan Nolan | Natalie Dunn |
| Berumen | Alexander Kattan | Royale Hardenstine |
| Carvalho | Micaela Justo | Karla Gonzalez |
| CMR | David Atienza | Hayley Roberts |
| Duarte | Nayra Pluma | Joanna Ogieglo |
| Feron | Austin Laing-Herbert | N/A |
| Fox | Walter Rich IV | Lucia Bravo |
| Johnson | Lucia Bravo | Matthew Tietbohl Talas |
| Peixoto | Neus Bonet | Matteo Monti |
| Truscott | Hannah Wilcosz | N/A |
| Vahrenkamp | Francesca Giovenzana | N/A |
