Dive Against Debris is a PADI AWARE specialty course that empowers divers to remove underwater marine debris and report data on the types and quantities of trash found. Isla Tortuga Divers conducts these dives to actively clean local reefs while educating participants on the global marine plastic crisis. The course results in a direct positive impact on the Koh Tao underwater environment.
Protect our Oceans with PADI AWARE Course
You can make a difference to the ocean by increasing your awareness through education, and by learning and applying tips to protect the ocean.
The PADI AWARE specialty course provides you with tangible actions and opportunities to help bring about positive ocean change and earn yourself a PADI AWARE Specialty certification in the process.
PADI AWARE specialty course offers students an eLearning option, which helps to remove the barriers between diving and conservation and makes the course accessible to everyone.
Become an Ocean Ambassador
PADI AWARE offers divers a way to become ‘Ocean AWARE’ by following the guidelines in the 10 Tips to Save the Ocean.
It is a great specialty course to help increase your understanding of the many issues the marine environment faces through climate change and through the pollution of our oceans.
You can become an ocean ambassador, a role model to others, and set a good example by raising awareness.
Included in our PADI AWARE specialty course
- PADI AWARE – Ten Ways a Diver can Protect the Marine Environment
- Ten tips for Underwater Photographers
- AWARE – Our World, Our Water
- Ugly journey of Trash poster
- Optional practical session with an Open Water snorkel experience
- Official Isla Tortuga Divers T-shirt
- PADI certification card
1 Day PADI AWARE Specialty course
The PADI AWARE Specialty course is conducted over two sections; theory and practical.
Knowledge Development
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Students need to attend the PADI AWARE presentations
- Participate in all ‘Take Action’ Workshops
- Watch the Ugly Journey of our Trash video
- Complete the PADI AWARE knowledge review
** Optional Open Water snorkeling session
Learning objectives for PADI AWARE Specialty course
- Ocean Threats: Understand the major issues facing our marine ecosystems, like pollution, habitat loss, and overfishing.
- Responsible Diving: Learn how to minimize your impact on the underwater world through proper buoyancy control, reef etiquette, and responsible photography techniques.
- Citizen Science: Discover how to participate in data collection efforts that contribute to marine conservation research.
- Eco-Tourism: Gain knowledge on how to choose travel options that support sustainable practices and benefit local communities.
- By achieving these objectives, you will become a citizen scientist empowered to contribute valuable information to coral reef conservation efforts.
Open Water Snorkeling PADI AWARE
Our PADI diving instructors are highly trained and experts in teaching students at their own pace. During your training, we will build your confidence and abilities, as you develop the skills necessary to become a competent PADI AWARE specialist.
Conducting the Open Water snorkeling session is dependent on environmental factors including weather and our current boat schedule.
Information for the PADI specialty course
Our PADI marine conservation specialty course empowers students with the knowledge and skills to become a role model scuba diver or a snorkeler.
PADI AWARE Specialty Course Schedule
You will meet your instructor at 09:00 – 11:00: ready for the classroom presentation and instructor-led orientation that includes completion of your paperwork and the PADI medical statement.
09:00 – 11:00: Orientation & Knowledge Development
12:15 – 17:00: Optional Open Water Snorkeling session
The PADI AWARE Specialty course provides a lot of information and is suitable for all ages and is a 1-day course designed for non-divers and divers.
PADI AWARE course Open Water Snorkeling
There are no mandatory scuba dives to be completed before certification; however, Isla Tortuga Divers likes to offer all its students an optional snorkeling session in Open Water.
The PADI AWARE course outline follows PADI AWARE’s ‘Ten Ways a Diver can Protect the Underwater Environment,’ with an open-book knowledge review with ten questions that your specialty instructor will guide you through.
PADI AWARE Specialist
The PADI AWARE instructor-led knowledge review is conducted over 5 hours and the subjects covered are:
- Importance of Buoyancy in protecting the marine environment
- Role Model behaviour
- Protecting Marine life
- Become an Ocean Ambassador
- Making responsible food choices
- Take action and speak out about conservation issues
- Be an ‘Eco Tourist’
- Reducing your Carbon footprint
- Giving back to the ocean
- Take only photos, leave only bubbles
Recommended practical session (optional)
Although there are no training dives to be completed, we encourage all our students to demonstrate role model snorkeling behaviour and best techniques.
10 benefits of taking the PADI AWARE specialty course
- Empowerment: Gain the knowledge and tools to make a positive difference for the ocean.
- Accessibility: Open to divers and non-divers alike, which creates a broader conservation community.
- Convenience: eLearning options provide flexibility for individuals with busy schedules.
- Global Impact: Be part of a global movement for ocean conservation.
- Actionable Knowledge: Learn practical skills you can apply on every dive or ocean activity.
- Science-Based: Course materials are grounded in scientific research and conservation efforts.
- Diver Community: Connect with other ocean enthusiasts who share your passion around the world.
- Support Conservation: A portion of course fees goes towards PADI’s critical conservation work.
- Master Scuba Diver Credit: The course can contribute to the prestigious PADI Master Scuba Diver rating.
- Enhanced Dives: Gain a deeper appreciation for the underwater world and its delicate balance.
By taking the PADI AWARE specialty course, you will become a more informed and responsible ocean ambassador, ready to advocate for a healthy future for our blue planet.
Upon completion of all the course requirements, you will be certified as a PADI AWARE specialty diver.
Koh Tao is a great location to go fun diving and explore our PADI Specialty courses. With our expert diving instructors, dive leaders, custom dive boat and quality dive equipment, Isla Tortuga Divers can meet the needs of all certified divers.
Contact us for fun dive pricing, our accommodation options plus our daily dive site schedule.
