About Us

We are a 100% volunteer organization. From our board of directors to our buddy divers. Every member gives of their time and talents to make our programs what they are today.

The only cost to our participants is certified training and trips.

We use a facility in Hillsboro at no cost to our non-profit. The pool is at 84 degrees and can be super heated to 90 degrees if needed. All the scuba gear our participants need is provided. We have a lift to assist getting participants safely into pool. We also have full face masks for participants that need the extra safety of holding a regulator.

Our Mission Statement

Scuba diving is our passion, sharing it is our mission. Our purpose is to build confidence, independence, freedom and self-esteem in the lives of adolescents, adults and veterans with disabilities through scuba diving and adaptive diving programs.


Board of Directors

Dale Kleier, Executive Director, PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, EFR First Aid Instructor, Diveheart Instructor Trainer 

AKA: I am an owner of Scuba Adventures For Everyone, LLC. A Hillsboro dive shop. Prior to that I worked over 30 years in the Diesel Industry as an Instructor and Training Development.

Why I Became A Dive Buddy: I have been diving for 9 years, 6 years as an instructor. I was inspired to start S.A.F.E. when I met Brandon through scuba diving. He opened my eyes to the needs of veterans and the therapy that scuba diving offers. I also worked with a few kids who has Autistic Disorder and Asperger Syndrome that showed me what diving can do for them. They all say “ I can do it” and I get to be part watching them believe in them selves. I love getting to share with people the magic of the underwater experience. Serving my community has always been a part of my core values. As a volunteer Firefighter, First Responder and Lieutenant I bring over 20 years of experience to the team with a Safety Always mind set. I also spent time working with the Boy Scouts and as a little league coach. S.A.F.E. allows me to bring my love for teaching, my desire to give back and my obsession with scuba diving to a perfect combination.

Favorite Place To Dive: Favorite cold water dive area is Vancouver Island BC, favorite warm water is the Philippines.

Kenneth Farley Jr., Vice President, PADI Dive Master, Diveheart Advanced Dive Buddy

AKA I have had many roles at a Complex Fabrication company for the past 12 years. Currently I am the Business Development Manager for Aerospace and Defense.

Why I Became A Dive Buddy: I have been diving for a little over 2 years. I have always loved being in the ocean and until a couple of years ago I had never seen scuba diving as a possibility. I fell in love with diving as soon as I went underwater for the first time. When Dale approached me about being a board member for Scuba Access For Everyone (S.A.F.E.) I was honored and thrilled because this was a way to share something I love with everyone. Being part of an organization that will change the lives of the divers and dive buddies is so amazing and I look forward to doing this well into the future.

Favorite Place To Dive: Favorite cold water dive site is Sund Rock Washington and my favorite warm water destination is Cozumel.

Trish DeLand, Tresure, PADI Master Diver, Diveheart Advanced Dive Buddy

AKA: 25 years (retired) Deputy Sheriff, part time instructor at the Oregon Police Academy, current fast and slow pitch umpire.

Why I Became A Dive Buddy: I have a brother-in-law who is in a wheelchair. He is always positive and lives life as full as he can with his limitations. A couple years after I became a certified diver, I was on a dive vacation in Hawaii. On one of the days we were going out, a guy in his mid-30’s got on the boat, he was in a wheelchair. I thought he was there to support his wife. I was wrong. He was there to dive with us. I was both surprised and fascinated. This was his first-time scuba diving since his injury that left him paralyzed from the waist down. I spent that dive watching him. I noticed he needed someone to assist him and he needed special equipment, like webbed gloves to compensate for no use of his legs. Watching him got me thinking and wondering about him and others like him. Dale Kleier came to me and told me what he was doing. Starting a nonprofit to teach and work with others who have disabilities. He asked me if I would be willing to be a member of his board of directors. I did not hesitate to join. This is a great cause.

Brandon Kaskawal, Board Member, PADI Rescue Diver, Diveheart Advanced Dive Buddy

Why I Became A Dive Buddy: I first became certified while serving in the United States Marine Corps in Kaneohe Bay as a way to deal with PTSD. While underwater all the worries and stresses of life melt away and I find an inner peace that I have yet to find anywhere else. It can be an indescribable feeling, but while underwater one is freely S.A.F.E.: S.A.F.E. allows me to share that same feeling of freedom and inner peace that I receive while SCUBA diving with those who have visible and invisible disabilities.

Favorite Place To Dive: My favorite place to dive site is the Pacific Northwest.

Tanya Osmus, Secretary, PADI Master Diver, Diveheart Dive Buddy

AKA: Real Estate Coach, COO at Keller Williams Realty Portland Premiere, Disabled Army Veteran, mom of two kids, dog mom & lover of tacos.

Why I Became A Dive Buddy: I attended the open house for the pool and was surprised by the non-profit. I watched the Diveheart video. One story in, I was bawling. What hit me the most was when they said, “I’m not Joe the disabled guy, I’m Joe the scuba diver.” I knew right then that I had to become a Buddy.

Favorite Place To Dive: St Lucia…so far. Year I started Diving: 2015

Michael Tinnesand, Board Member, PADI Advanced Open Water Diver, Diveheart Dive Buddy

AKA: I spent 22 years teaching high school chemistry and biochemistry in the Hillsboro School District. I changed careers to work at the world’s largest scientific society, The American Chemical Society, in Washington D.C. While there I worked on public outreach, writing and publishing magazines and textbooks, and teacher education programs. After 12 years I retired and moved back to Oregon. 

Why I Became A Dive Buddy: I’ve committed most of my life to teaching and helping others, so to some extend becoming an adaptive dive buddy was an extension of what I’ve always done. I also like technical challenges and learning new dive skills necessary to help others was a great way for me to progress as well. And finally, my greatest joy was being able to assist my wife in her effort to become a certified diver. She was never able to overcome stress trauma to become an open water diver, but with the help of SAFE she is now a successful adaptive diver and my dive buddy for life. 

Favorite Place To Dive: My favorite warm water site is the Cayman Islands. The diving is great, but the general population of the Caymans are so amazingly friendly that it feels like everyone is your long time best friend. Porpoise Bay, BC Canada is my favorite for the Pacific Northwest. The diving is varied and spectacular and the unique dive operation is like no other. 

Ryan Purdy, Board Member, PADI Rescue Diver, Diveheart Advanced Dive Buddy 

AKA: A native Oregonian who has grown up and lived in the Portland area for over 30 years. He went to Jesuit High School, earned his Bachelor's degree at Santa Clara University and also earned his MBA from Portland State University. Ryan's worked at multiple companies in numerous functions, and held high level executive roles. He began his career at Nike where he worked for 8 years in Supply Chain, Sales, Merchandising and Strategic Planning. He served as the COO for Blue Waters, an international bottle water manufacturer, in Trinidad and Tobago, a VP of Operations for a manufacturing company in Portland, and started his own company called the Portland Bridge Climb working directly with local, state and federal government organizations. He also worked at Amazon where he managed the Beauty Supply Chain and Vendor relationships. Ryan currently works as a real estate agent in Oregon and Washington for his own company Purdy's Properties where he helps clients buy and sell residential real estate.

Why I Became A Dive Buddy: I chose to become a dive buddy because it joined two things that I loved doing; scuba diving and helping others. The ability to share something I love so much with others, who would not normally be able to take part without assistance, is one of the most rewarding pieces of my life.

Favorite Place To Dive: I was fortunate to have gone scuba diving in the Galapagos islands in 2016. The trip consisted of 3-4 dives a day in one of the most pristine and isolated underwater environments in the world. I have never seen such a wide variety of sea life in one place and I would love to go back again.

Dive Buddies

Meet our Buddy Divers who make adaptive diving possible. Click the arrow.