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Dive Safety Board

Person diving
Dive Safety Board
A&M-SA Dive Program
Scuba diving was first used as an underwater scientific research method at Texas A&M University - San Antonio in the Fall of 2022 through a collaborative project focused on underwater caves in Mexico, in partnership with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the United States Geological Survey (NSF OCE #2136322). The A&M-SA Dive Program was formally established two years later, with collective support from the Texas A&M University San Antonio Foundation, Office of the Provost, College of Arts and Sciences and Department of Natural Sciences. The A&M-SA Dive Program aims to provide high quality training opportunities while fostering underwater research and advancing the mission of Texas A&M University - San Antonio.

A&M-SA Dive Control Board (DCB)

The A&M-SA DCB is comprised primarily of active scientific divers and possesses full authority over all diving operations at A&M-SA. The DCB is tasked with developing and overseeing policies and procedures pertinent to dive activities and is responsible for the training and dive operations of all personnel involved in the A&M-SA dive program.

Responsibilities:

  • Establish, review, and revise the policies and procedures for diving activities conducted beneath the auspices of A&M-SA, as outlined on the Diving Standards for Underwater Operations
  • Fulfill the requirements needed to apply for AAUS organizational membership
  • Approve and monitor all A&M-SA diving projects
  • Provide safety and compliance oversight for all A&M-SA diving activities
  • Ensure compliance of the A&M-SA diving community to the A&M-SA Diving Standards for Underwater Operations
  • Suspend diving operations considered to be unsafe or unwise
  • Investigate diving incidents within the Dive Program or violations of the diving safety manual
  • Establish and/or approve training programs through which applicants for dive status can satisfy the requirements of this manual
  • Recommend the issue, reissue, or the revocation of diving authorizations
  • Approve the depth to which a diver has been authorized to dive
  • Act as a board of appeal to consider diver-related problems
  • Recommend new equipment or techniques
  • Establish criteria for equipment selection and use
  • Establish and/or approve facilities for the inspection and maintenance of diving and associated equipment, including gas stations and quality standards
  • Act as the official representative of A&M-SA in matters concerning the diving program
  • Periodically review the DSO (Dive Safety Officer) performance
  • The DCB may delegate operational control and oversight for portions of the Dive Program to the DSO, but the DCB retains ultimate responsibility for said execution

Membership:

  • The Institutional Official (IO) or designee, with the advice of the DSO, will appoint voting members of the DCB
  • The term of appointment for each DCB member is three years
View Members

For more information, please view the A&M-SA Diving Standards for Underwater Operations, or contact the DSO at Fernando.CalderonGutierrez@tamusa.edu