Diving Committee
The Diving Committee operates according to the AAUS regulations and formulates processes, policies, and regulations to ensure safe scientific diving activities at the institute. The committee consists primarily of active scientific divers appointed by the Institute’s Board of Directors, as well as the Dive Safety Officer and the administrative director of the institute.
Dive Safety Officer (DSO)
The DSO is responsible for implementing the regulations in this document, maintaining the institute’s diving equipment, and overseeing all diving activities. The DSO must routinely report to the scientific director of the institute. The DSO is appointed by the scientific director and must be qualified as a diving and Nitrox instructor and a diving center manager in accordance with legal requirements. The DSO should possess knowledge and expertise in various aspects of scientific diving. Additionally, the DSO is responsible for ensuring that divers in the institute understand the rules of diving, possess all necessary documentation and undergo routine training. The DSO is responsible for approving, restricting, or prohibiting underwater activities within the institute. The DSO is in charge of initiating professional training sessions on topics such as dive planning, dive computers, rescue, and first aid for Institute divers.
Dives will be conducted under the direct supervision of the DSO, who also has the authority to determine training requirements for each diver based on professional judgment.
Diver
A person approved by the DSO to dive under the institute's auspices of the institute for research, educational, or other purposes. Divers are classified as Scientific Diver, Scientific Diver in training, and Guest Diver.
Scientific Diver
A diver holding at least a "certified diver" qualification, with scientific diving insurance and a fitness-to-dive certificate from a dive physician, having undergone specific training and certified in scientific diving techniques, including data collection, surveys, underwater mapping, object detection, lifting, use of underwater tools, and diving physiology offered within the institute or at equivalent institutions.
The DSO may recognize equivalent training from other institutions or certify divers with suitable skills as "Scientific Divers."
Scientific Diver in Training
A diver holding a "certified diver" level, with scientific diving insurance and a valid fitness-to-dive certificate, who is currently training as a Scientific Diver, supervised by the DSO or someone appointed by him. A Scientific Diver in Training must obtain a Scientific Diver certification within one year to continue diving at the institute, this diver.
Guest Diver
A diver certified by one of the recognized sport diving organizations and holds valid dive insurance. A Guest Diver is not authorized to partner with a Scientific Diver unless the dive is solely recreational or is dedicated exclusively to photography and/or logging. The diver must pass a skills test conducted by the DSO, who may waive this requirement based on their professional judgment. Guest divers may only conduct recreational dives and are allowed to observe but do not actively participate in scientific work except for logging or photography.
Dive Leader
In every dive, one individual will be designated as the Dive Leader, responsible for:
- Presenting and obtaining approval for the dive plan from the DSO.
- Briefing participants according to the objectives and permissions granted by the DSO.
- Recording the dive on the diver log board (entry and exit).
- Coordinating with external authorities as required (Navy, Parks Authority, etc.).
- Ensuring that emergency and safety equipment is available on site.
- Halting the dive if conditions are unsafe or inconsistent with approved parameters.
*Any team member can stop the dive at any time.
- Report any irregularities that occurred during the dive to the DSO as soon as possible.
Research Diving Expedition
A research expedition outside of Eilat, where diving will be conducted according to the institute’s Scientific Diving regulations, is supported by insurance covering activities in Israel and abroad (the responsibility of obtaining insurance lies with the diver). The DSO, together with the chief scientist of the expedition, will appoint a Dive Coordinator for the expedition that will ensure compliance with safety standards and facilitate medical and emergency communications.
Safety Officer in Research Expedition
The Safety Officer will be a Scientific Diver appointed by the DSO. The Safety Officer is responsible for ensuring the safe conduct of all expedition-related dives, coordination with authorities, planning for emergency medical responses, and being accountable for executing the emergency plan. The Safety Officer will not be the head of the research program unless approved otherwise by the DSO.
Dive Physician
A licensed dive physician as defined in the Israeli Diving Authority Handbook or by the Israeli Society of Hyperbaric Medicine.
Scientific Dive
A dive conducted in accordance with AAUS regulations for scientific, research, or educational purposes, where the diver's sole intent is to complete scientific research tasks. Scientific diving does not include tasks typically associated with commercial diving, such as construction, demolition, cutting, welding, or using explosives.
Air Dive
A dive in which divers breathe compressed air from an independent dive system.
Nitrox Dive
A dive in which divers breathe oxygen-enriched air. Nitrox dives are to be conducted only by divers certified as Nitrox divers.
Technical Dive
A dive that exceeds the typical depth and time limits of sport diving, often involving varying gas mixtures and usually requiring decompression stops. Technical dives can only be performed by certified technical divers using appropriate equipment. Planning and execution will be done under the close supervision of the DSO.
Closed-Circuit Rebreather Dive
A dive utilizing a closed-circuit rebreathing system, including an oxygen cylinder and a diluent cylinder containing a gas mixture appropriate for the dive profile. Such dives will only be conducted by divers certified for the intended closed-circuit rebreather system, and planning and execution will be closely supervised by the DSO.