Sustainable Dive Leader
Welcome to Sustainable Dive Leader
Most professionals enter the scuba industry by virtue of an instructor or divemaster certification. While such training provides grounding in how to teach and supervise divers, the curricula of many of these programs are often lacking in regard to the marine environment. Yet, it’s the marine environment that motivates people to become divers, and this disconnect between why people are attracted to scuba diving, versus what they are taught in training, has profound consequences.
The refinement of the professional development process so that candidates are empowered to act as ambassadors for the marine environment, in addition to teaching and supervising skills, will have profound impacts on both the dive industry and the health of marine ecosystems.
Throughout this course, you will consider:
- how and why can issues of sustainability and marine ecology be used to recruit and retain new divers.
- how can dive professionals incorporate marine ecology and sustainability into their personal ethos and brand in ways that benefit both the dive industry and the health of the ocean.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
The Ocean First Sustainable Dive Leader course was authored by sustainable tourism expert Dr. Alex Brylske, former Professor of Marine Science and Technology at the College of the Florida Keys.
Alex’s background combines training as an educator and marine biologist with a highly successful career in the scuba industry. This has given Alex a unique understanding of both marine resource management and marine tourism. For more than four decades, he has partnered with the private sector, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations to create innovative marine conservation programs that combine responsible tourism practices and citizen science initiatives.
Alex’s honors include NOAA’s prestigious Walter B. Jones Memorial Excellence Award for Ocean and Coastal Resource Management and the 2012 DAN/Rolex Diver of the Year. He is the author of numerous courses, seminars, and books including Beneath the Blue Planet: A Diver’s Guide to the Ocean and The Complete Diver: The History, Science, and Practice of Scuba Diving. More information about Dr. Brylske can be found here.
Explore the entire course below. When you are finished with each section, close the window to return here.