As announced in the 26 June 2024 Training News, the all-new PADI Snorkel Guide course is now available. This course results in a limited PADI Membership rating and is an International Organization for Standardization (ISO 13970) compliant program developed in response to a growing need for snorkel guides who can show they have been trained and certified. In many areas, regulations and/or risk management require operators to have credentialed snorkel guides. Snorkel guides are additionally in demand to:

Free up PADI Instructors/Divemasters.
Lead snorkeling activities with youth groups.
Lead specialized nature-interaction activities, like those with manatees and manta rays.

Effective immediately, all teaching status PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors and PADI Freediver Instructors (or higher) may teach the PADI Snorkel Guide course. Qualification to do so is automatic and there is no application required.

PADI Snorkel Guide candidates learn about their role and responsibilities, how to organize snorkel excursions, emergency care and safety considerations, and how to emphasize the need for snorkelers to care for the aquatic environment. Their water skills, stamina, snorkel/skin diving skills and rescue abilities are developed and evaluated. They also complete role-playing workshops involving briefings and guiding tours.

PADI Snorkel Guides may only lead snorkel excursions, and do not qualify as leaders or assistance for any PADI programs.

Course Materials

The PADI Snorkel Guide course is delivered via instructor presentation over two days (recommended). All course materials may be downloaded from the Training Hub on the Pros’ Site. The materials (in English) include:

PADI Snorkel Guide Course Instructor Guide
PADI Snorkel Guide Course Notes (includes Appendix with materials candidates use during and after the course)
PADI Snorkel Guide Program Liability Release and Assumption of Risk Agreement
PADI Snorkel Guide Programme Statement of Risk and Liability (EU version)
Standard Safe Snorkeling Practices Statement of Understanding
PADI Snorkel Guide Application
Guided Snorkeling Experience Liability Release and Assumption of Risk Agreement
Guided Snorkeling Experience Statement of Risk and Liability (EU version)
PADI Snorkel Guide Membership Agreement

Prerequisites

A candidate must be at least 18 years old and have EFR® Primary and Secondary Care training (or qualifying training) within 24 months. You may run EFR courses in conjunction with the PADI Snorkel Guide course to meet this requirement. Candidates must be medically evaluated and cleared for diving by a physician within the previous 12 months.

Certification

PADI Snorkel Guides complete a membership application and submit it to the appropriate PADI Regional Headquarters with the membership fee. PADI Snorkel Guides receive a certificate that includes their photo, which can be used as proof of achieving this rating.

Benefits

PADI Snorkel Guides must renew their membership annually, and receive as benefits:

An updated certificate
The ability to obtain professional liability insurance in most areas (insurance required in some areas)
The ability to represent themselves as certified by PADI to lead snorkel excursions

International Requirements and More Information

Because the PADI Snorkel Guide course is ISO compliant, it meets most international requirements, but some regions have additional requirements beyond ISO. PADI Snorkel Guides learn this in the course, and their certificate notes that additional requirements may apply. Where applicable and if you are qualified to do so, you should integrate any such requirements into the course.

Watch this webinar, which explains more about the PADI Snorkel Guide course.

The post Snorkel Guides Are Here: Introducing the New PADI Snorkel Guide Course appeared first on PADI Pros.

Training, course, EFR, Instructor, snorkelingPADI Pros