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Home /Dive and Boat Safety/ Join / Leave the Dive Safety Program

Join the Dive Safety Program

Overview

The below information is a summary of how to become an authorized Scientific Diver or Snorkeler here at KAUST. Requirements for Scientific Divers at KAUST are governed by the Dive Safety Manual (DSM); this page will be updated to reflect the most current version of the DSM at the time of publication, however please refer to the original document for absolute reference.

New Scientific Diver

Who? – Individuals who do not have a recognized scientific or commercial diver qualification, will be a part of a scientific diving team and will perform scientific tasks during diving activities.

New applicants with no prior training or experience must complete the AAUS Scientific Diver Course which is offered as part of the training catalogue here at KAUST.

  • More course information (link to course page)
  • Registration Form – Coming Soon

Please note:

  • Dive Qualification

Candidates must have a minimum of PADI Advanced Open Water (equivalent or above) with 30 Open Water Dives before conducting Scientific Diver Training. However, it is strongly recommended that divers have at least PADI Rescue Diver (equivalent or above) with 50 Open Water Dives.

  • Swimming Ability

Candidates need to be confident in the water. A swim test is a mandatory component of the course where divers must complete:

    • Underwater swim (23 m) – without gear
    • Surface swim (366 m) in less than 12 minutes – without gear
    • Tread water test (10 minutes using hands and legs, 2 minutes using only legs) – without gear
  • For further information or questions regarding the course and it’s requisites, please contact us.

Previously Certified Scientific Diver (AAUS / NON-AAUS)

Who? – Individuals who have a recognized scientific qualification, will be a part of a scientific diving team and will perform scientific tasks during diving activities. *

Applicants with prior training and scientific diving experience are eligible to join the program by providing proof of previous training.

Required steps:

  1. Obtain a Fit to Dive Certificate
  2. Obtain a Fit to Snorkel Certificate
    • Fill out the declaration form.
    • Upload form to Salute.
    • After review and approval by Occupational Health, download certificate.
    • Further information here.
  3. Complete the New Diver Intake Form – coming soon

Upload the following documents:

  • Highest Recreational Diving Qualification
  • Scientific Diver Qualification or Verification of Training (VOT)
  • Copy of Scientific and Non-Scientific Dive Logs
  • Fit to Dive Certificate
  • Fit to Snorkel Certificate
  • Oxygen Administration & First Aid (DAN Pro or Equivalent)
  • DAN Insuranc

Dive Safety Team reviews your application

Based on your application you will be contacted to complete some, or all, of the following:

  • Check Out Dive
  • Swim Test
  • Knowledge Review
  • Orientation

DSO reviews and approves your application

For further information or any queries, please contact us.

* For more detailed information regarding recognized qualifications and requisites for authorization, please refer to the Research Compliance website.

 

Previously Certified Commercial Diver

  1. Obtain a Fit to Dive Certificate
  2. Obtain a Fit to Snorkel Certificate
    • Fill out the declaration form.
    • Upload form to Salute.
    • After review and approval by Occupational Health, download certificate.
    • Further information here.
  3. Complete the New Diver Intake Form – coming soon

Upload the following documents:

  1. Highest Recreational Diving Qualification
  2. Commercial Diving Qualification*
  3. Copy of Scientific and Non-Scientific Dive Logs
  4. Fit to Dive Certificate
  5. Fit to Snorkel Certificate
  6. Oxygen Administration & First Aid (DAN Pro or Equivalent)
  7. DAN Insuranc

Dive Safety Team reviews your application

  • Based on your application you will be contacted to complete some, or all, of the following:
    1. Check Out Dive
    2. Swim Test
    3. AAUS Scientific Diver Exam
    4. Orientation

Dive Control Board reviews and approves your application 

For further information or any queries, please contact us.

* For more detailed information regarding recognized qualifications, please refer to the Research Compliance website.

Scientific Snorkeler

Who? – Individuals who will be a part of a scientific snorkel team and will perform scientific tasks during snorkel activities.

Required steps:

  • Obtain a Fit to Snorkel Certificate
    1. Fill out the declaration form.
    2. Upload form to Salute.
    3. After review and approval by Occupational Health, download certificate.
    4. Further information here.
  • Complete the New Diver Intake Form – coming soon

Upload the following documents:

  1. Fit to Snorkel Certificate
  2. Oxygen Administration & First Aid (DAN Pro or Equivalent) **
  3. DAN Insuranc

Dive Safety Team reviews your application

  • Based on your application you will be contacted to complete the following:
    1. Swim Test
    2. Orientation

DSO reviews and approves your application

For further information or any queries, please contact us.

* For more detailed information regarding requisites for authorization, please refer to the Research Compliance website.

**Not mandatory for all snorkelers but may be required as part of field safety requirements.

Maintaining / Re-Activating Status (Divers)

To maintain active status:

  • All mandatory documentation / information is provided and current including:
    1. Fit to Dive & Snorkel Certificate
    2. First Aid & Oxygen Administration
    3. Insurance Policy
    4. Swim Test
  • In addition, Divers must ensure that:
    1. 12 Scientific Dives are logged in the last 12 months
    2. At least 1 Scientific Dive is logged in the last 6 months, near to their depth authorization.

All users are responsible for maintaining their own status as a diver.

If a user has not met all required to maintain active status, they are considered restricted status. Those of restricted status may not act as Lead Diver/Snorkeler and may require additional actions to re-activate their status.

Restricted Status Users:

  • Are not permitted to conduct depth progression until restricted status lifted.
  • Cannot act as Lead Diver or Lead Buddy.
  • May require a Check Out Dive.
  • May require additional actions to re-activate their status.

For more detailed information, please refer to the Research Compliance website.

Maintaining / Re-Activating Status (Snorkelers)

All users are responsible for maintaining their own status as a snorkeler.

To maintain active status:

  • All mandatory documentation / information is provided and current including:
    1. Fit to Snorkel Certificate
    2. First Aid & Oxygen Administration*
    3. Insurance Policy
    4. Swim Test

If a user has not met all required to maintain active status, they are not permitted to snorkel.

For more detailed information, please refer to the Research Compliance website.

*Not mandatory for all snorkelers but may be required as part of field safety requirements.

Visiting Scientific Diver

Who? – Individuals who are visiting KAUST, will be a part of a scientific diving team and will perform scientific tasks during diving activities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Required steps:

  • Obtain a Fit to Snorkel Certificate
    1. Fill out the declaration form.
    2. Upload form to Salute.
    3. After review and approval by Occupational Health, download certificate.
    4. Further information here.
  • Complete the New Diver Intake Form – coming soon

Upload the following documents:

  1. Highest Recreational Diving Qualification
  2. Scientific Diver Qualification or Letter of Reciprocity (LOR)
  3. Copy of Scientific and Non-Scientific Dive Logs
  4. Fit to Dive Certificate
  5. Fit to Snorkel Certificate
  6. Oxygen Administration & First Aid (DAN Pro or Equivalent)
  7. DAN Insurance (link to insurance page)

Dive Safety Team reviews your application

  • Based on your application you will be contacted to complete some, or all, of the following:
    1. Check Out Dive
    2. Swim Test
    3. Knowledge Review
    4. Orientation

DSO and/or DCB reviews and approves your application

* For more detailed information regarding recognized qualifications and requisites for authorization, please refer to the Research Compliance website.

Visiting Scientific Snorkeler

Who? – Individuals who are visiting KAUST, will be a part of a scientific snorkel team and will perform scientific tasks during snorkel activities. *

Required steps:

  • Obtain a Fit to Snorkel Certificate
    1. Create a Visitor account on Salute.
    2. Fill out the declaration form.
    3. Upload form to Salute.
    4. After review and approval by Occupational Health, download certificate.
    5. Further information here.
  • Complete the New Diver Intake Form – coming soon

Upload the following documents:

  1. Fit to Snorkel Certificate
  2. Oxygen Administration & First Aid (DAN Pro or Equivalent) **
  3. DAN Insurance (link to insurance page)

Dive Safety Team reviews your application

  • Based on your application you will be contacted to complete the following:
    1. Swim Test
    2. Orientation

DSO reviews and approves your application

* For more detailed information regarding requisites for authorization, please refer to the Research Compliance website.

** Not mandatory for all snorkelers but may be required as part of field safety requirements.

Other Visitors

Who? – Individuals who are visiting KAUST that, as part of their visit, may snorkel or dive but not conduct scientific tasks.

Please contact us as we handle other visitors on a case-by-case basis.

Exiting KAUST Dive Safety Program

Is your time at KAUST coming to an end?

Upon departure of KAUST we can provide you with a verification of training and experience which will include a summary of your diving / marine qualifications and any experience gained during your time at KAUST.

When you know that you will be departing KAUST, please notify us and include the following information:

  • Name
  • KAUST ID
  • Expected Departure Date

We will issue you a certificate within 7 working days and shall deactivate your dive portal account on your departure date unless otherwise notified.

Forms

AAUS Medical Evaluation of Fitness for SCUBA Diving (Dive Medical Form)

KAUST Snorkeling Medical Declaration and Experience Form)

Salute Registration for Visitors