PADI® Members around the world continue to take action for the ocean, their businesses, the dive industry, and their local communities – hope is certainly rising. Here are a few examples of inspiring #PADIPeople and PADI Instructor Development Centers (IDC) who are creating positive change amid the pandemic and finding new ways to inspire others to become PADI Professionals.
From conservation-focused programs to emphasis on adaptive techniques and community training, these PADI IDCs are reaching new dive pros in meaningful ways.
Becoming Pros and Rebuilding Local Reefs in Thailand: BB Divers
BB Divers is working hard to regenerate reefs in their local area! To ensure all their instructors and divemasters are trained properly in rehabilitating reefs, they have implemented an Ocean Quest coral propagation course in all their professional level courses.
Through these courses PADI Pros learn how to rebuild damaged reefs in line with the Ocean Quest Propagation Program, where reefs are only rebuilt using natural elements in the area. Those taking the course learn how to use live rocks and broken corals in the area to ensure that no unnatural items are introduced to the reef. With all the BB Divers instructors and divemasters now trained in this process, they are also implementing their own coral propagation programs in Koh Chang, Koh Kood and Koh Mak to help local reefs recover and grow.
Creating Extra Incentives to be a PADI Specialty Pro in Bali: Blue Corner Dive
Who would say no to a free holiday while turning pro? Blue Corner Dive has created an enticing that not only includes five PADI Specialty Instructor courses which, when successfully completed, help instructor candidates qualify for the Master Scuba Diver Trainer rating, but have also added in some local exploration as well. PADI Instructor candidates take an overnight dive trip to Tulamben for a night dive on the Liberty Wreck – with free accommodation provided.
What’s a local holiday without also giving back to the surrounding environment? To train course participants on how to dive sustainably, Blue Corner Dive also includes a bonus Dive Against Debris® Specialty course as part of their IDC package – making becoming a PADI Instructor with them a truly fulfilling experience.
Breaking Barriers for Pros with Adaptive Teaching in the Netherlands: Dive Post
Dive Post’s Course Director Chris Azab has successfully used the same adaptive teaching techniques to train instructor candidates with mental or physical challenges to earn their PADI Instructor rating!
Creating Career Pathways for Locals to Go Pro in Malaysia: Udive
No dive experience, no problem! Udive has taken a grassroots approach to getting those in their local community in Tioman Island trained up in diving and creating a pathway for them to become PADI Professionals and earn an income to support their families.
Udive sponsors locals to earn their PADI Open Water Diver certification and continues working with them all the way through the Divemaster and Instructor Development Course. This includes providing locals with not only PADI training but also with materials, application fees, accommodation, meals and a monthly salary for their time and effort. They are also given additional training in a range of valuable skills that include how to be a snorkeling guide or boatsman, learning equipment maintenance procedures, becoming well versed in digital marketing techniques and even getting foreign language lessons in key visitor languages for the region like Mandarin and Cantonese.
A Two for One Deal for Candidates in Chile: Buceo Pichidangui
When candidates sign up for Buceo Pichidangui’s Instructor Development Course in Pichidangui Bay, they are not only trained as PADI Pros but as sailing professionals too! Wanting to provide their candidates with as many career opportunities as possible while also recognizing their candidates’ affinity for the ocean, this PADI Five Star IDC includes sailing classes and opportunities for candidates to get their small boat captain license as well.
In addition to training candidates to become both diving and sailing professionals, Buceo Pichidangui also provides practical training on various conservation efforts. This includes their candidates living at the dive center for one week with the goal of generating as little waste as possible and working with the Pichidangui community to teach local fishermen sustainable fishing practices.
Giving Salvation to Pros in the UK: Stellar Divers
When Divemaster Duncan Howells was transitioning towards retirement after years with Stellar Divers, he wanted to create a legacy that would inspire future diving professionals to prioritize environmental conservation with their professional careers. The result was Mission SALVATION, which is now integrated into Stellar Divers Instructor Development Courses and whose goal is to teach all candidates that one person can really make a difference with the health of the ocean.
Mission SALVATION teaches candidates about Project AWARE and ways they can implement and contribute to various conservation efforts. Extending this beyond just Stellar Divers professionals, the PADI Five Star IDC also engages with the local community to participate in their “littered” activities that introduce Mission SALVATION to locals with the goal of inspiring more people to consider getting involved in the sport of diving to help save the ocean.
Leading by Example in Oman: Aura Divers
Ehdaa Al-Barwani was the first female PADI instructor in Oman when she earned her PADI Divemaster certification in 2018. Now she’s on a mission to inspire more women to join her as PADI Professionals through the women-only dive courses offered at the dive center she works with, Aura Divers.
Another way she is looking to attract more females to join her in being a pro is through teaching her students about good conservation habits and training them to spread awareness about ocean conservation. Last year, on the 50th National Day of Oman, Al-Barwani led by example and went diving in a traditional Omani outfit to showcase how Omani culture is symbiotic with ocean health and inspiring future professionals to join her in the efforts.
Share Your Hope Rising Stories with #PADIPeople
There is hope rising everywhere. PADI will continue to amplify stories like these with fellow PADI Members and divers to inspire, excite and accelerate recovery by demonstrating the spirit of #PADIPeople around the world.
Share your own stories about how you are making a difference, and the better days that are possible right now through diving. Simply post descriptions, photos or videos to your social media channels, tagging PADI and #PADIPeople.
Guest article written by Samantha Pearson
The post Hope Rising: Inspiring Divers to Go Pro at Every Corner of the Globe appeared first on PADI Pros.
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