Dive Against Debris, Coral Reef Conservation and other AWARE Specialties

Project AWARE Specialty Courses

AWARE
Dive Againts Debris

If you’re looking to get more out of your next dive and want to help protect the wonderful oceans you cherish at the same time, then consider adding the Project AWARE Dive Against Debris distinctive specialty course to your must-do list. Not only will you learn valuable information and gain great experience as a diver, you’ll also become part of the bigger movement to protect the oceans and keep them clean for sea life and divers alike.

What will you do during this course?

Now is the perfect time to build your skills and confidence in fighting the messy issue of marine debris. The Dive Against Debris course will help you achieve this by:

Educating you about the marine debris issue. You will learn what damage has already been done, where ocean trash comes from and how you can be an active part of the solution.
Equipping you with the knowledge and skills needed to conduct a Dive Against Debris survey. You will learn how to create a survey dive profile, understand the best use of photography and make effective decisions on what to remove and what to leave behind.
Highlighting the five steps needed to record and report findings from a Dive Against Debris dive: weigh, sort, record, dispose and report.
Explaining how to join the global Project AWARE movement of scuba divers protecting our ocean planet.

Throughout the course you will gain a detailed understanding of what issues debris causes in the underwater environment. After the course is complete, you will be empowered to participant in ongoing Dive Against Debris surveys near you, and even start a survey of your own!

The valuable data you submit as part of these surveys will help to support the development and implementation of policies that will improve solid waste management at all levels. Plus, your findings will be added to the interactive Dive Against Debris Map so that you and others will be able to visualize your impact at a local and global level.

How can you start learning now?

To enroll on this exciting new course, divers must hold the PADI (Junior) Open Water Diver certification or above and should be at least 12 years old. The only other requirement is enthusiasm and a desire keep the oceans clean and beautiful!

AWARE
Coral Reef Conservation

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Who should take this course?

Everyone likes to scuba dive or snorkel in warm, clear water on a vibrant coral reef, yet many people know little about what they’re seeing or the importance of reef ecosystems. The AWARE – Coral Reef Conservation Specialty course helps you appreciate the complexity of these habitats and teaches you how you can help conserve these vital systems.

Anyone who has an interest in the aquatic world can take this course. There are no prerequisites or age restrictions and no water sessions are required to earn this non-diving certification.

What will you learn in this course?

Through classroom discussions, you learn:

How coral reefs function and the complex nature of life on a reef.
Why coral reefs are so important.
Why many coral reefs are in serious trouble.
What you can do to prevent further decline.
How Project AWARE unites divers and water enthusiasts to make a difference.

How can you start learning now?

The AWARE – Coral Reef Conservation course references information in the digital manual – AWARE – Our World, Our Water – downloadable for free on ProjectAWARE.org. Although this manual is not required for the course, you can read the chapter on coral reefs in preparation for meeting with your instructor.

AWARE
Fish Identification

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Who should take this course?

“What was that fish?” is a common question heard after a dive. If you want to be the scuba diver with the answers, instead of the one asking the questions, then take the AWARE – Fish Identification Specialty course. You’ll enjoy your dives even more when you recognize the creatures that you see and can identify the main fish families and their characteristics.

If you’re at least 10 years old and a PADI (Junior) Open Water Diver or higher, you can enroll in the AWARE – Fish Identification course.

What will you learn?

Once you learn to recognize what types of fish you see, you’ll find it easier to reference the exact species after a scuba dive. For example, a butterfly fish in the Caribbean has a similar shape to a butterfly fish in Southeast Asia, but colours and markings may be wildly different. If you know what fish family it belongs to, you can more easily look up the local name or at least be able to intelligently ask the local scuba instructor what you saw.

During two scuba dives, you’ll learn:

How to identify characteristics of local fish families and species.
Fish survey techniques and strategies.
About Project AWARE activities that can help protect aquatic life

Also, the first dive of this PADI Specialty Diver course may credit as an Adventure Dive toward your Advanced Open Water Diver certification – ask your instructor about earning credit.