Submitted by: George Peterson
At the 2026 AZA Safety Summit in Atlanta on March 21, 2026, a diverse panel of ADPA zoo and aquarium professionals came together for Safety Around Aquatics, a half-day workshop focused on advancing safety, compliance, and operational excellence in aquatic programs.
Moderated by George Z. Peterson (Monterey Bay Aquarium), the session featured presentations on building sustainable dive training programs, improving emergency preparedness through inclusive training practices, designing exhibits with diver access and emergency response in mind, navigating AZA accreditation standards for aquatic operations, and a regulatory standards development that may provide a credible framework for developing and managing safe occupational diving programs. Speakers shared practical lessons learned from their institutions, emerging technologies, and strategies for strengthening safety culture while balancing animal care, guest experience, and operational demands.
The workshop provided attendees with actionable tools and real-world examples to help create safer, more resilient aquatic programs across AZA-accredited facilities, reinforcing the critical role that proactive training, thoughtful design, and collaborative leadership play in protecting both staff and animals.
Presentations
My AZA Remedy – Rick Smith / St. Louis Zoo
The Default Patient Problem: Anatomy, Bias, and CPR Training – Meriah Long / Monterey Bay Aquarium
Exhibit Access Hazard: Designing Aquatic Exhibits with Divers in Mind – Lauren Rotsted & Devin Waddell / Georgia Aquarium
Interpreting AZA Accreditation Standards for Aquatic Operations – Mark Craven / Tennessee Aquarium
Solving a 50-Year Problem: How California Regulated Zoo & Aquarium Exhibit Diving – Paul Dimeo / Aquarium of the Pacific
