The Ocean and PADI AWARE Thank You!

The PADI AWARE Foundation® recognizes your passion for keeping the waters you love clean. Dive Against Debris® is not just a PADI AWARE® specialty course; it’s also a powerful citizen science program that provides tools to remove debris from dive sites and gather crucial survey data for the world’s largest marine debris database.

PADI AWARE, with the support of the dive community, is in a unique position to drive forward essential conservation measures to help rid the ocean of marine debris. Together, we can reach PADI’s Blueprint for Ocean Action target of reducing marine debris by 50% in targeted countries. To help achieve this goal, you’ve been empowered to activate your community to Dive Against Debris. As of 1 July 2024, PADI Assistant Instructors and higher are now automatically eligible to teach Dive Against Debris Specialty courses.

What is your role as a Dive Against Debris Instructor?

As a Dive Against Debris Instructor, you are a leader, taking direct action to collect critical survey data from every dive. This data supports both local and global conservation efforts, aiding marine researchers and policymakers. Your unique role involves uniting the community to clean up local dive sites, safely leading divers of all skill levels. No one is better suited to tackle marine debris than you.

Who is eligible to be a Dive Against Debris Specialty Instructor automatically?

PADI Assistant Instructors and higher are automatically eligible to teach Dive Against Debris Specialty courses.

PADI Freediver Instructors and PADI Mermaid Instructors must continue to apply for the Dive Against Debris instructor rating through the PADI Specialty Course Instructor Application. 
PADI Assistant Instructors must be under the direction of a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor while teaching this specialty.

What should you consider when leading a Dive Against Debris dive?

Consider the skill levels of the divers under your supervision.

Divers who may not have enough experience or proper buoyancy to make contact with the marine floor can still be valid participants. Have them act as scouts for marine debris. They can communicate with the dive leader, who can safely remove the debris on their behalf.

Consider the dive site location. Where does debris gather the most? Consider the resources, safe entries, and exits needed to get to a new or different dive site.

Should you submit data from clean dive sites? 

Yes! Zero is still a number. Clean dive sites provide a baseline reference and show changes over time. If the site becomes polluted, you have valuable historical data to prove that at one point there was no debris there.

Who should submit a Dive Against Debris survey to PADI AWARE?

The dive leader should submit the Dive Against Debris survey. Only one survey is required for each clean-up dive.

Should you submit data from the beach or land areas?

No, do not submit data from the beach or land. Dive Against Debris data must come from the water, specifically from the seafloor or bottom of lakes, rivers and quarries.

What should you do with the debris you collect from the beach?

The PADI AWARE App is only for Dive Against Debris® data from the water. However, you can report beach clean-ups through the Ocean Conservancy and their Clean Swell® App. PADI AWARE has been working in conjunction with the Ocean Conservancy for several years, and peer-reviewed scientific papers have been produced in collaboration with the Ocean Conservancy and CSIRO (Commonwealth of Scientific and Industrial Research Organization). The Clean Swell app can be found here.

Can you submit Dive Against Debris data from freshwater dive sites?

Yes. You can conduct clean-up dives at freshwater sites. Consider the dock at your local lake or quarry. You may find as much debris as you would at similar saltwater sites.

What materials should you consider having for a successful Dive Against Debris survey?

Two recommended items are available for purchase from PADI Regional Headquarters:

Dive Against Debris Mesh Bag (PADI Product Number #80561) 
Dive Against Debris Data Card (PADI Product Number #60010).

The funds from the purchase of these items go directly to the PADI AWARE Foundation, which supports local community-driven conservation actions.

What should you know about the Dive Against Debris Specialty course? 

Minimum age requirement: 10 years old.
Minimum certification: PADI Junior Open Water Diver (or equivalent), PADI Freediver, or PADI Advanced Mermaid. 
The Dive Against Debris course is a one-dive specialty that also counts as an Adventure Dive in the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course.
Divers may credit the specialty certification toward the PADI Master Scuba Diver rating. 

How do you submit Dive Against Debris survey data?

It’s as easy as logging your dives.

Download the PADI AWARE Mobile App on the Apple Store or Google Play.

The latest version of the app also includes Adopt The Blue.

Create or log into your My Ocean profile to submit marine debris data after your dive.
Follow the steps to report and record Dive Against Debris data with the PADI AWARE Mobile App.

View the PADI AWARE mobile app survey walkthrough video to learn more.
Review the PADI AWARE Dive Against Debris Survey Guide in the PADI Pros’ Site training hub under “Specialty Courses,” and then check “Other Resources.”

Wait for your Dive Against Debris survey to be quality-reviewed for approval by the PADI AWARE team.

You can review your pending surveys on the PADI AWARE Mobile App.

Check out your survey on the public Dive Against Debris Map: DiveAgainstDebris.org
Share your Dive Against Debris survey on social media and with your dive community by copying your unique survey results page URL and linking it everywhere you like! Be sure to tag PADI AWARE Foundation!

Does every Dive Against Debris experience need to be a course?

No! In fact, every dive can be a survey dive when you use the PADI AWARE App to log your dives. 

Where can you get more resources to support and promote your Dive Against Debris events, programs, and classes?

Download the Survey Toolkit before your dive! This kit has all the essentials for survey success. (English only)

Now that you have submitted your Dive Against Debris survey, what is next?

Adopt the Blue. Once you Adopt the Blue, you can tag your adopted site for your Dive Against Debris surveys and promote your action. You can also replicate surveys faster and more quickly on your Adopt the Blue sites. You may also be prompted to participate in a number of conservation efforts at your site over time.

How does Dive Against Debris support international policy?

The current policy goal of the Dive Against Debris program is to create a standardized global monitoring solution for marine debris. The goal is to secure Dive Against Debris as a recognized monitoring program in Article 11 of the UN Plastics Treaty, which you can take action on at the link below.

What is the Global Plastic Treaty?

The Global Plastics Treaty represents a unique and crucial opportunity for a worldwide coordinated initiative to effectively resolve the ongoing plastic pollution crisis at all stages of plastic’s life span. With an estimated 14 million tons of plastic entering the ocean every single year, the necessity of closing the tap on plastic has never been greater.

Sign the Plastic Treaty Petition! Take Action Now!

PADI AWARE Foundation is asking ocean enthusiasts to sign a petition demanding a strong Plastics Treaty to hold governments accountable and to join our collective Ocean Torchbearer army as part of the solution.

Share Your Dive Against Debris Stories With Us!

We want to share your actions on social media! Show us what you’re doing to fight the war on litter! Share your photos online tag us on social media @padiaware using the following hashtags: #DiveAgainstDebris | #EveryDiveaSurveyDive | #UglyJourneyofTrash | #AWAREImpact

The post How to Take Action With Dive Against Debris: Activate Your New PADI Member Benefit appeared first on PADI Pros.

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