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Dive and Boat Safety

Overview

Welcome to our Dive and Boat Safety page! Whether you’re exploring the depths of the ocean or cruising the open waters, safety should always be your top priority. Our comprehensive safety guidelines are designed to help divers and boaters to safely enjoy their experiences, and work while minimizing risks.

This page will take you through the dive & boat safety steps from preplanning until you get back safely.

Purpose:

The primary purpose of the Dive and Boat Safety Program is to promote safe practices for all individuals engaging in diving and boating activities. This program aims to minimize risks, prevent accidents, and ensure that both divers and boaters have the knowledge, skills, and resources to safely execute their job on the water.

By emphasizing education, preparation, and safety protocols, our program seeks to create a culture of responsibility; reducing the likelihood of injury or fatality while encouraging sustainable and enjoyable activities. We are committed to providing comprehensive safety guidelines that protect individuals, equipment, and the marine environment.

Scope:

The Dive and Boat Safety Program covers a wide range of safety protocols, training, and guidelines applicable to all participants in diving and boating activities. The scope of the program includes a comprehensive approach that combines safety guidelines, hands-on training, and environmental awareness. The Dive and Boat Safety Program aims to create an informed and responsible community of divers and boaters, whilst striving to continuously improve and adapt to new technologies, changing regulations, and emerging safety concerns within the diving and boating communities.

Planning for Marine Research

Planning early can save your field research from potential delay, and can reduce the associated risks by identifying and addressing the many hazards present when doing research outside the lab. Whether the field research is within KAUST or conducted internationally, pre-planning is always the key for a safe and successful trip. The following shall be considered by all those who engage is marine based field research:

Fieldwork Safety Training

  • Before planning can begin, you must have completed your field research program training.
  • This training must be complete before you are allowed to engage in fieldwork for KAUST.
  • For more information, access the KAUST HSE Research Website. KAUST visitors must contact their sponsor for information on how to complete this training.
  • If your fieldwork involves work with animals, you might need to complete additional training before any work commences. Click here to access the KAUST IACUC website for more information.

Register as a Scientific Diver

  • To become a Scientific Diver at KAUST, please follow the requirements of the Dive Control Board (DCB) as implemented by the KAUST Diving Safety Officer (DSO).
  • The requirements for new or visiting Scientific Diver applicants are outlined on the Research Compliance Website.
  • If you have any general questions regarding Scientific Diver applications, please email the DSO: DSO.DL@kaust.edu.sa

Field and Safety Plan

  • All KAUST field work requires a  Field Safety Plan (FSP) approved by the Dean  and, for diving/snorkeling activities, a Diving Safety Plan (DSP) approved by the Diving Safety Officer.
  • The purpose of the Field Safety Plan is to ensure that all marine activities are conducted in a safe and responsible manner. This plan covers both surface and underwater safety protocols, emergency procedures, equipment and the roles of all personnel involved. It applies to all diving activities
  • FSP/DSP Goals and Objectives:
    • To provide safety guidelines for diving and boating activities
    • To minimize associated risk, including environmental hazards.
    • To ensure proper response to emergencies during or after field
    • To promote awareness of diving and boating safety practices to all participants.

Emergencies

The best way to handle a diving or boating emergency is to be prepared. By following safety protocols, being proactive in your training and understanding emergency procedures you can minimize risks and ensure the safety of everyone involved. Always stay calm, act quickly and communicate clearly in emergencies. In many diving scenarios, emergencies can arise both in the water and on the boat. Being prepared for either situation and having the necessary equipment to respond is essential.

Insurance

  • KAUST researchers are covered by the same health and liability insurance during field research as when they are on campus. The Field Research Leader should consult with Risk Management to determine if additional insurance is required, particularly for domestic trips. This information must be included in the Field Safety Plan. KAUST insurance will NOT cover participants affiliated with external institutions.
  • Those participating in dive/snorkel activities must have valid DAN insurance before conducting field research.

Core Labs / Marine Services

For boat booking and other marine services, please contact Core Labs.

Click here to access the Core Labs booking portal.

 

Dive Gear

  • Click here to reserve diving equipment.
  • Dive Locker Opening Hours are 7am – 4pm (Sunday – Thursday). Final drop off is no later than 3:45pm.
  • Reservations must be made a minimum of 2 working days before the gear is needed.
  • You must check and sign out your reserved gear at the Dive Locker Signing dive equipment out means that you have received all items reserved and are satisfied it is in good, working condition.
  • If you have any concerns or are unsure about any equipment, do not sign it out. Tell the dive locker technician about your concern and swap the equipment out.
  • Once you have completed your diving fieldwork, make sure you sign all dive gear back into the Dive locker Items reserved or signed out against your name may be charged to you as lost if not returned and signed in.
  • Losses and damage to dive gear will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and maybe charged to you or your cost center.

Procedure for Returning Dive Gear

Please refer to the “Diving Equipment Usage and Care Procedure” for more information.

Users wash, rinse and hang to dry the diving equipment they have borrowed following the below steps:

Dive gear (such as BCD, Compass, Computer, Nautilus, knife, torch, GPS, camera, SMB):

  • Rinse in ‘1st Wash’ water tub
  • Rinse in ‘2nd Wash’ water tub
  • Dry on coat hangers or in respective baskets
    • Attach computer and compass on the Octopus D-ring
    • Loop the Regulator around the hanger – avoid hose kinks
    • Secure the belt strap through the crotch strap

Cylinders and weights:

  • Use water hose to rinse the cylinders and weights
  • Leave the cylinders in the cylinder trolley (make sure it is secured – it doesn’t roll away)
Regulator:
  • Put the DUST cap on the regulator
  • Rinse in dedicated ‘Regulator’ water tub

DAN O2 – do not rinse or wash – put near the drying racks.

 

 

 

Scientific Diving Safety

If the above does not answer your questions, please contact the Dive Safety Officer: DSO.DL@kaust.edu.sa

Other Information (non KAUST)