Scuba Diving Industry™ Magazine published by Cline Group, LLC. Printed and mailed to all dive retailers in the USA and digitally delivered to over 17,500 dive professionals in 165 countries. Published monthly, so "Start a Conversation" with your Business Customers!
JUNE 2025 PUBLISHED BY CLINE GROUP SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
TRAVEL SCANDINAVIA, ADVICE FOR TRIP PLANNING SUCCESS SAFETY & TRAINING CHECKLISTS, RULES & RESCUE TRAINING
RETAILING NEW ANTI-FOG TECHNOLOGY, CREATING A RETAILER SCORECARD PT 2 BUSINESS EDU 5 KEYS TO SUCCESS, NEW SHOPPING RESEARCH
ECO PRO THE MISSING LINK IN INSTRUCTION
Photo by Dr. Alexander Mustard of diver Kathryn Arant touching both sides of the Silfra fissure, a crack in the Earth's crust between the North American and Eurasian continental plates, which is filled with glacial melt water. In this photo the American plate is on the left. Thingvellir National Park, Iceland.
digital version
TRENDS IN DIVE RETAILING, TRAVEL & TRAINING
6/16/25 4:48 PM
SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY™ MAGAZINE • JUNE 2025
PAGE 27 INNOVATION Gil Zeimer: Hydrophilic Film: A Breakthrough in Anti-Fogging Technology
CONTENTS PAGE 5 FROM THE PUBLISHER Turning Online Clicks Into In - Store Sales
ADVERTISER’S INDEX 2 & 3 Aggressor Adventures 6 Diver’s Alert Network (DAN) 8 DRYFOB Key Containers 8 Books by Dan Orr/Best Publishing 9 Make A Di ff erence Challenge 10 Aggressor Adventures 13 Alex Brylske’s Book by Reef Smart 15 Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba 16 Stream2Sea Reef Safe Products 16 Sea Experience, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 19 Big Animals Global Expeditions 21 ScubaWeather.com 21 Barefoot Cay Resort, Roatan 23 Blue Force Fleet Liveaboards 24 Clear Story Coach 26 Wayne B. Brown Book 28 Fog-X Mask Defogging Film 29 All Star Liveaboards 31 Sau Bay Resort & Spa, Fiji 32 SeaCure Custom Mouthpieces 33 X-Ray Magazine 34 Take Our Subscriber Survey & Win 34 ScubaRadio 35 Deep Blue Adventures Travel 36 DIVO By Scubatech 39 Explorer Ventures Liveaboards
PAGE 17 PHOTO PRO Amos Nachoum: Behind the Lens – Entangled Orca, A Fight for Survival
PAGE 18 TRAVEL
PAGE 7 SAFETY
PAGE 30 RESEARCH
PAGE 20 DEMA UPDATE Tom Ingram, MBA, CAE: DEMA Association Mid-Year 2025 Update John Christopher Fine, J.D.: Florida Keys Coral Restoration Success
Dan Orr: Checklists and a Consistent Pre-Dive Ritual
William Cline: The Return of In-Person Shopping & Print Magazines PAGE 33 TRAVEL Peter Symes: Summer in Scandinavia: A
PAGE 9 TRAINING Al Hornsby: Rules,
Standards & Liability for Your Staff and Company
Diving Paradise PAGE 34 TRAINING
PAGE 11 TRAVEL
PAGE 22 BUSINESS EDU
David Prichard & Lily Mak: Schedule Time to Smell the Roses: Building in Time for Disruptions PAGE 12 ECO PRO Alex Brylske, Ph.D.: Beyond Blowing Bubbles: How Instructors Can Be The Missing Link
Patrick Hammer: The Value of the Rescue Diver Course for Retailers
Cathryn Castle Garcia: Show and Sell: Tips for Using Video as a Sales Tool
PAGE 37 RETAILING
PAGE 25 RETAILING
BACK COVER DEMA 41 Level Up Podcast 41 Marketing Minutes Podcast 42 Article Index
Jeff Cinciripino: Winning with a Balanced Scorecard - Part 2
Shelli Hendricks, Ph.D.: 5 Keys to Success in a Startup Dive Business
PAGE FOUR | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
FROM THE PUBLISHER
TURNING ONLINE CLICKS INTO IN - STORE SALES
Today’s dive gear buyers aren’t making decisions in isolation. According to the latest Quad/Graphics consumer behavior research, 71% of shoppers still visit brick - and - mortar stores , but almost all of them – 89% – have started their jour- ney online. They’re searching for products, comparing pricing, reading reviews, and checking availability long before setting foot in a shop. For dive retailers, this means that aligning digital and in - store marketing is no longer optional ; it’s a compet- itive necessity. Customers across all age groups now expect seamless connections between online and in - store touchpoints. Younger shoppers (18–34) are especially thorough, with roughly half conducting in - depth online research, relying heavily on online reviews and stock availability. Meanwhile, those aged 35–54 balance digital searches with pri-
William Cline, Publisher Patty Cline, Associate Publisher Amber Wagenknecht, Executive Editor Betty Orr, Copy Editor Neal Watson, Sr., Editor-at-Large Britain Cline, Advertising Sales Manager Carlos Lander, Latin America Ad Sales Gavin Young, SE Asia Ad Sales June Cline, Social & Podcast Producer Contributors: Alex Brylske, Ph.D., Avon Park, FL William Cline, Plano, TX Jeff Cinciripino, Rocky Hill, CT Cathryn Castle Garcia, Azores, Portugal John Fine, J.D., Boynton Beach FL Patrick Hammer, Orland Park, IL Shelli Hendricks, Ph.D., Sun City West, AZ Al Hornsby, Singapore Tom Ingram, MBA, CAE, San Diego, CA David Prichard & Lily Mak, Dallas, TX Amos Nachoum, Pacific Grove, CA SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY™ MAGAZINE JUNE 2025 VOL. 2, NO. 6
orities like checking opening hours and verifying in - store promotions. Even the over - 54 group increasingly use digital platforms first, focusing on pric- ing, special deals, and product information before making the trip to a physical location.
What can dive retailers do? First, optimize online platforms for product searches and availability. Maintain accurate, updated inventory online and highlight promotions clearly. An intuitive website that mirrors the experience of visiting your shop can make or break a sale long before a customer arrives. Once customers walk through the door, environment is critical . According to the research, shoppers stay longer and spend more when stores have a wide range of prod- ucts, a pleasing atmosphere, and opportunities to browse. Interesting displays and staff that can answer questions instantly deepen engagement. Meanwhile, special in - store events or promotions can appeal across age groups, converting online interest into in - store purchases. Ultimately, dive retailers must recognize that shoppers no longer separate “online” and “in - store” – and their marketing tactics must evolve accordingly. By aligning website experience, pricing transparency, and review availability with an inviting, well - stocked shop environment, retailers can build trust, deepen connections, and drive long - term sales in a competitive market.
Dan Orr, Driggs, ID Peter Symes, Denmark Gil Zeimer, San Rafael, CA
Scuba Diving Industry ™ Magazine: (Print: ISSN 2996- 1416, Digital: ISSN 2996-1424) Published monthly by Cline Group LLC, 1740 Airpark Lane, Plano, TX 75093. Printed copies are mailed within the USA to select dive retailers & advertisers. Subscriptions are free to dive pro- fessionals & distributed digitally to 165 countries. POST- MASTER send address changes to Scuba Diving Industry Magazine, 1740 Airpark Ln., Plano, TX 75093. Any part of this publication may be reproduced, as long as the source is quoted “Scuba Diving Industry Magazine.” For ed- itorial requests, email william@williamcline.com or 972-267- 6700. The views and opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the offi- cial policy or position of Cline Group LLC or any of its af- filiates. © 2025, all rights reserved by Cline Group LLC.
email William email Britain email Gavin email Carlos
William Cline, Publisher
PAGE FIVE | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
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SAFETY Checklists and a Consistent Pre-Dive Ritual – by Dan Orr, President, Dan Orr Consulting
Preparation for any dive actually be- gins before you leave home. Besides making sure that your skills, recent ex- periences, and equipment are equal to the demands of the upcoming dive, you need to make sure that you bring every-
needed for the dive by laying out our equipment in the form of a diver on a ground sheet. The exposure suit, the hood, the boots, and the gloves were laid down first, followed by the mask, snorkel, and fins where they would go, followed by the weight belt, BCD, and any other accessory equipment for the dive. The dive buddies would then take a few minutes looking over each other’s equipment to make sure nothing was missing. You could also do the same with a checklist. In 2012, Divers Alert Network (DAN), the Professional As- sociation of Diving Instructors (PADI), and the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) joined forces to hold Rebreather Forum 3.0. Part of the outcome of the Re- breather Forum 3.0 was a number of consensus positions. One involved the importance of checklists, primarily for the use of rebreathers, but the implications are far ranging: “The Forum acknowledged the overwhelming evidence demon- strating the efficacy of checklists in preventing errors.” Checklists are important but only go so far. I suggest com- bining a checklist with what I call a consistent pre-dive ritual. The consistent pre-dive ritual begins before you and your div- ing companion get into the water. As I have mentioned many times in previous articles and my diving safety webinars, the recent practice of critical emergency skills such as the ex- change of breathing gas in an emergency is critical. Skill prac- tice comes in different forms, including “static rehearsal,” that involves review of training manuals, checklists, photographs, and videos only. Static rehearsal can refresh your memory but cannot reinforce the all-important muscle memory necessary to be effective if the need arises. Dynamic rehearsal, on the other hand, involves actual practice using the diving equip- ment divers would be using during a dive. Dynamic rehearsal can be either in a safe, confined water setting, on the surface, or even standing on the boat deck or shore, where divers go through the mechanics of skills such as the exchange of breathing gas. Dynamic rehearsal appears most effective for
thing that you will need for the dive. When I was actively teaching, I spent time talking about the value of a Save-A- Dive Kit, making sure that you have everything you need, in- cluding some spare parts in case of part failure. I asked the class, “If you spent thousands of dollars on the dive trip of a lifetime and traveled thousands of miles to get there, how much would you pay to replace a broken fin strap if you didn’t have one? How much would you pay if you traveled to one of the best dive spots in the world only to find out you forgot your prescription mask?” That is kind of a sober- ing thought. I am sure something like that has happened to many divers, possibly even you. The best way to keep from forgetting anything is to have a detailed checklist. Actually, divers may have many checklists. I have one to make sure I bring everything I will need for the upcoming dive. To make that packing checklist, I refer to notes from previous dive trips, visualize the dives I’m going to make, and take note of things I will need, plus any back up equipment in case of equipment failure. On a trip to Antarctica in 2024, we were told to leave our equipment in the Zodiacs, as it would be hauled aboard the research vessel where we could retrieve it more easily. Well, when I went to retrieve my gear, a large hook used to raise the Zodiacs had gone right through the middle of my prescription mask. Luckily, I had brought a backup prescription mask, or that would have been the end of any in-water activities for me. A detailed packing checklist will not only make sure you bring everything you need but will also help make sure that you bring everything back with you. Once at the dive site, you
may also want to consider another checklist to make sure that you have everything you will need while making the dive. When I was actively teach- ing, we would make sure that we had everything we
PAGE SEVEN | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
SAFETY continued the retention of manual or mechanical skills. Therefore, it could be in the best interest of diving safety to adopt a “dy- namic rehearsal” practice regimen. This pre-dive practice reg- imen may include reviewing the mechanics of critical skills such as providing breathing gas to a companion in an out-of- breathing-gas emergency, the jettison of weights, and even a review of hand signals prior to initiating each dive.
my cylinder valve is not open all the way. Moving to my left to complete the cross, I check my BCD power inflator, push- ing the button, and making sure that gas is coming from my scuba cylinder into my BCD. If I’m wearing a dry suit, I will check the suit inflator at the same time. Since I secure my oc- topus 2nd stage on my left, I make sure it is functioning prop- erly by taking a couple of breaths just in case I am called on to share breathing gas. The final part of my check is to ask my diving companion if they are ready to dive. If you are carrying other things such as a surface marker buoy (SMB) or safety sausage, knife, or cutting tool, they can also be added to this process. This process may not completely eliminate the possibility of something going wrong, but it will, at least, reduce the pos- sibility that you have forgotten something vital. A checklist combined with a consistent pre-dive ritual may
This is something that I go through before my diving com- panion and I actually get in the water. I call it my “Safety Cross.” If you see me crossing myself before a dive, I’m not
praying (after all, if I have to pray, I probably should not be making that dive!). I’m checking to make sure that everything is ready for the dive I’m going to make. Starting from the top; regulator in my mouth, breathing gas is on, and I’m satisfied that the regulator is breathing properly and there is no significant breathing resistance. I move down to check my weights, making sure the weights are on and ad- justed properly and I know where the quick release mecha- nisms are. I then move to my right (where I position my submersible pressure gauge-SPG). I look at my SPG and take a breath at the same time. If the needle fluctuates, that means
reduce the likelihood of something vital being missing and will, hopefully, enhance the diving experience. A good checklist and consistent pre-dive rit- ual can be the best start of a good dive!
email Dan Orr
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TRAINING
Rules, Standards & Liability for Your Staff and Company – by Al Hornsby, owner, Al Hornsby Productions, Singapore Al is regarded as one of the industry’s most experienced risk management litigation executives.
It’s not unusual in the dive industry to hear questions about our common habit of rule-making. And, to some extent, we are perhaps somewhat more developed in this than many other sports, even sports that also carry elements of risk.
example – the common, standard practice that introductory scuba participants remove all their gear at the end of a dive. While it may sound like mere common sense, the reality is that this particular ‘rule’ (standard) operates at several levels, the obvious first ones being for participants’ comfort and safety – once the dive is done, we don’t want them waddling around (perhaps still in their fins) with weights and a cylinder still strapped on, with the danger of them losing their balance, falling, etc. There is also the inherent upside of their devel- oping a bit more knowledge and practice in handling their gear in a safe manner. And, when this is occurring on a boat,
However, the issue is often related to the old question, “Well, what’s the worst that could happen?” While lots of sports and recreational activities have risks that could lead to injuries, most of them don’t typically have such small lines between just fine; potential injury; and potential fatality.
The general response to this real- ity has been the development of excellent guidelines and training. However, we do often hear com- plaints that we may be overly in- volved in such rule-making (“standards”) and related enforce-
the ante goes up – they could also easily fall on someone else, as well. When such standards develop- ment occurs in diving, however, there is also sometimes that element of “what’s the worst that could hap- pen?” that adds to the importance.
ment. That said, if we look at diving and the rule-making it includes, I don’t believe we typically view ourselves as control freaks, but more likely responsible folks who are adequately cognizant of the sometimes narrow spaces between safe prac- tices and the potential for something going very wrong. I’d also suggest that a great many (most?) of our standard- ized safety practices and techniques came about in direct re- sponse to things that actually happened or things that had/have the potential for increased risks or dangers to our- selves, our students, or to our customers, day-to-day. In diving, we collectively do a good job of investigating ac- cidents and recognizing when a rule (a “standard”) could likely reduce the risks of the event happening again. Most of these standards are thus actually fairly simple logic and direct re- sponses to actual occurrences, or likelihoods. Let’s look at an
Well, the worst that has happened can answer this rather di- rectly. At the end of an introductory scuba dive off a small boat, one of the participants, a young lady, was allowed (or maybe it was not noticed by the instructor?) to keep her weight belt on as she began to cross the channel and head back toward the resort. The group, happy and thrilled at their first dive and sitting on the rails, was talking about how cool it all was… then, the boat hit a small wave, the lady fell back- wards into the water, quickly sinking out of sight - never to be found or seen again.
So, what’s the worst that could happen, even when involving such a simple, common standard regarding removing all equipment at the end of an introductory dive? The reality was pretty hor- rible, and so, so unnecessary.
email Al
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TRAVEL
Schedule Time to Smell the Roses: Building in Time for Disruptions – by David Prichard and Lily Mak, Enchanted Sea Images, Inc., Dallas, TX
After a week of diving Papua New Guinea (PNG), we departed the live- aboard boat and boarded the van that would take us to the airport for our return flights to the US. We no- ticed very little activity while ap- proaching the terminal and saw only one person at a desk when our dive
and crews in the right place so that your flights can take off at the right time. Various reports in 2024 indicated that some- where between a quarter to one third of all flights were de- layed (and many cancelled) due to dangerous weather, security concerns, aircraft or crews not in position to meet the sched- ule, technical or mechanical problems, or multiple other is- sues. Most often, the cause of delays or cancellations of flights
group dragged our luggage inside to get checked in for our flight. When asked about our scheduled flight that day, the person re- sponded: “No plane today, maybe tomorrow.” That is not something you want to hear when you have crucial multiple connections (that you will now not make) to get you home. While the rest of the divers went into frantic mode trying to make new flight arrangements, we just needed to send an email to our B&B host in Cairns, Australia (our connection hub), that we wouldn’t be there today, but probably tomorrow (hopefully). “No problem,” she re- sponded. We had built into our trip itinerary a few “buffer” days in Cairns both going to PNG and coming back so that we could enjoy ex- ploring the area as part of our experience on this journey. It also proved to be useful to allow any “hiccups” in our travels to be reme- died. This was fortunate for us also at the be- ginning of the trip because when we arrived in Cairns, en route to PNG, two of our checked bags went on to Japan instead of stay- ing with us in Australia. The night before we were to depart for our liveaboard in PNG, the bags showed up and were delivered to our
is not at your location, but instead at the loca- tion where your plane is coming from, or even its route before that location. A delay or can- cellation in one location can create a “domino effect” for the plane’s remaining schedule. The problem intensifies when you are scheduled on smaller airlines that don’t have an extra plane to put into service when a problem oc- curs. Another consideration where it might be ad- visable to build in some buffer time at a con- nection hub is when the final destination is a location that has few flights into it, so any de- viation can be detrimental to your flight con- nection schedule. Instead of multiple flights per day, many airlines might only fly in once a day or even just a few days per week. If you (or your bags) miss that flight, then your days of diving and tropical vacation experiences get shortened, sometimes drastically. If you spend extra “buffer” time at a major flight connection hub, then you have many more flight options if you are “off schedule” than you do at a remote location, or to allow missing bags to catch up to you. This extra time can even be part of your
Groups can use multi-day layovers in connection hub cities to go sightseeing like this group in Singapore (before heading to Indonesia).
planned adventure if you are running a group trip. Last year, we had a group trip to North Sulawesi in Indonesia. Since we had to fly into Singapore to connect to the final location, we decided to lay over a couple of days there to explore the sights (as well as let people and bags catch up). Everyone enjoyed
B&B so that we could fly and board our boat with all our gear. The more complicated your flight itinerary on a dive adven- ture, the more time you need to build in some “buffer time” to resolve any unforeseen changes you might encounter on your journey. While it may be more efficient to create a tight flight schedule to maximize your vacation days, you need to consider the risks involved if that schedule is disrupted in any way. There is a vast number of logistics involved in getting planes
the extra excursion except that we discovered you can’t experience everything in Singapore in just a few days, so a return trip is needed.Sometimes it is best to plan some time in your connection hub to “just go smell the roses.”
email David
PAGE ELEVEN | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
ECO PRO Beyond Blowing Bubbles: How Instructors Can Be The Missing Link – by Alex Brylske, Ph.D., President, Ocean Education International, LLC
In my column last month, I dis- cussed an issue I term the “Great Dis- connect.” It describes the gap between why people are motivated to become scuba divers - to explore a unique en- vironment - and the lack of knowledge
unprecedented rate, and marine biodiversity is under serious threat. Divers, simply by being in the water, witness these changes firsthand. And when properly trained, they can be- come frontline sentinels and advocates for ocean health. Furthermore, divers who understand the fragility of marine ecosystems are more likely to engage in responsible behav- iors, such as maintaining proper buoyancy control to avoid damaging contact with or harassment of marine life. These behaviors not only enhance diver safety, they also transform them into allies for conservation. Today, the reality is that students are increasingly demand- ing more environmental education. Many new divers, espe- cially Gen Zers and Millennials, are motivated to enter the sport due to their concern for the environment. When in- structors treat marine ecology as a core subject, not just an afterthought, it resonates. It shows that dive training is about
among instructors regarding that environment. This leads most instructors to give short shrift to the very reason people are drawn to diving. The result is that most entry-level train- ing focuses heavily on how to dive, with relatively little at- tention given to why. So, how do we shift the emphasis from 'how' to 'why'? The first and most crucial step is understanding that before you can change behavior, you must change attitude. And this starts with one vital premise: Scuba instructors are more than just guides to the underwater realm - they are stewards of
the ocean and influencers of diver behavior. As pressures con- tinue to mount on marine ecosys- tems, the role of the instructor must evolve to meet the current challenges. One of the most im- pactful ways to do that is by ex-
more than just learning how to blow bubbles; it's about shaping values.
Diver training agencies have stepped up in recent years by embedding some environmental content into their eLearning modules for entry-level training. The question remains: Is it sufficient? I believe it is not. Still, if you’re already using these platforms, then you’re halfway there - but only if you’re employing the right strategy. The challenge now is to bring that content to life in a way that deepens understanding and encourages action. Implementing a New Model of Learning The old model of diver training - lecture-heavy classroom sessions followed by practical skills - is no longer the norm. Hybrid learning, which combines online and in-person in- struction, enables students to absorb theoretical knowledge at their own pace before engaging in hands-on experiences. A flipped classroom takes this further by making knowledge acquisition the student’s responsibility before class, reserving in-person time for deeper discussion, problem-solving, and applied learning. Here’s how this might work from an envi- ronmental perspective: 1. Before class, assign online modules covering topics such as coral reef ecosystems, marine food webs, and the im- pacts of climate change. However, as these topics are
panding environmental education within diver training. Fortunately, you don’t have to overhaul your entire course or start from scratch. Certification agencies already include some ecological and conservation content in their curricula. The problem is that it’s too little or too general and doesn’t emphasize the topic of most interest to divers - coral reefs. The vast majority of instructors today utilize their agency’s eLearning platform to some extent or entirely. However, they don’t always use it in the most effective way. Maximum effect comes not from abandoning face-to-face academic instruc- tion entirely but by embracing a hybrid learning or “flipped classroom” model. Here, instructors can enhance student engagement with environmental topics while also creating more effective and flexible training environments. When combined with various online tools - most of which are free - this approach empowers instructors to shape a generation of divers who not only dive well, but dive responsibly. Environmental awareness is no longer an optional bonus in dive training - it has become essential. Coral reefs are dying at alarming rates, the ocean is acidifying and heating at an
PAGE TWELVE | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
only addressed marginally - or not at all - on various training agency eLearning platforms, you’ll need addi- tional content to supplement your lessons. (More on this later.) 2. During class, instead of reviewing what they’ve just read, use the time together to discuss real-world scenarios. Pose ethical questions: “What would you do if you saw another diver touching coral or harassing marine life?” Share your own experiences and ethos. Include topics such as fish identification or coral bleaching. This shifts your role from lecturer to facilitator, guiding students in applying what they’ve learned. 3. During the dive, make the environment your classroom. Transform the standard “Open Water Training Dive X” into an ecological exploration. Encourage students to identify species, observe symbiotic relationships, and note signs of environmental stress. This hands-on learn- ing reinforces concepts and alters how students perceive the underwater world. 4. After the dive, encourage reflection. Don’t just have stu- dents “log their dives,” but begin treating their logbook as a journal to document their entire underwater expe- rience. Encourage group discussions on what they ob- served and how their behavior impacted the environment. Tie this back to the conservation themes covered previously. This strategy not only reinforces knowledge; it also creates emotionally resonant experiences. When students see the concepts come alive underwater, they remember them. More importantly, they internalize them. Some instructors worry that adding environmental topics could overload students or exceed course time limits. How- ever, as I mentioned earlier, some elements of ecology and conservation are already incorporated into the curriculum. Your job is to add a few supplements to enhance student un- derstanding. Too often, environmental content is treated as filler or rel- egated to the end of the course, often viewed as a sidenote. Instead, elevate this discussion by addressing it early and often. And connect the discussion to practical diving skills. For example: Teaching buoyancy? Discuss its role in avoiding dam- ▪ age to coral and other fragile marine life. Are you practicing navigation? Use it as an opportunity ▪ to identify environmental health indicators (such as the ECO PRO continued
prevalence of macroalgae and percentage of hard coral coverage) as students swim a course bearing. Introducing dive planning? Factor in currents and tidal ▪ changes that affect the distribution and behavior of marine life, as well as environmental factors that may impact visibility. Remember, you don’t need to be a marine biologist; you just need to be curious, committed, and willing to try new approaches to learning. Expanding Your Hybrid Learning Toolkit The good news is that the quality and content of environ- mental education in your entry-level course does not require reinventing the wheel. There is a wealth of outstanding re- sources online to support your marine education efforts. These can be easily incorporated into any hybrid course. Use these resources for assignments on pre-course reading, to fa- cilitate flipped classroom discussions, or simply to keep your- self sharp. They add depth and lend credibility to your instruction. I’ve listed some of my favorites below. The links are available in the resource list, which can be downloaded Dive into Dr. Alex Brylske’s Book: BENEATH THE BLUE PLANET
“An in-depth resource to indulge our passion for scuba diving.” – Wayne B. Brown, Owner & CEO, Aggressor Adventures
A fascinating look at our oceans, marine biology & more! Great for classrooms and every dive retailer’s library!
PAGE THIRTEEN | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
ECO PRO continued from the QR code at the end of the article. Best of all, every one of these resources is available for free . Cities Under the Sea: An Introduction to Coral Reef Ecology ▪ is a comprehensive 17-lesson course that explores how coral reefs function, emphasizing the roles both inver- tebrates and fish play, the problems reefs face in the modern world, and what can be done to conserve reefs for future generations. (In the interest of full dis- closure, this is a course that I created based on Section Two of my book, Beneath the Blue Planet: A Diver’s Guide to the Ocean .) The Khaled bin Sul- ▪ Ocean First Institute offers thirteen short courses de- ▪ signed to provide an overview of a wide variety of ma- rine species and ecosystems. REEF (Reef Environmental Education Foundation) ▪ offers fish identification training, citizen science pro- grams, and webinars. NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program provides ▪ detailed, accessible information about coral reefs, threats, and restoration efforts. The Ocean Agency offers immersive visuals and sto- ▪ ries about coral reefs through virtual dives. Great for visual learners. The MarineBio Conservation Society offers compre- ▪ hensive coverage of marine species and ecosystems, complete with photos and videos. Exceptional Training and Recognition In addition to the free resources listed above, there is an- other program available at a modest cost that may be the best option: the Green Fin Diver e-Course . More than just pro- viding information, the course emphasizes diver attitudes and behaviors. It consists of three modules with easy-to- follow content on a user-friendly platform. Each module is followed by a short quiz that divers must pass to complete each module. Integrating this into your Open Water course as a required component could be an excellent way to dif- ferentiate your program from the norm and justify a much tan Living Ocean Foundation Educa- tion Portal offers fourteen award-win- ning, custom-de- signed modules that can be easily inte- grated into any hybrid course.
higher price. The modules include: Module 1: An introduction to coral reef biology, ▪ global and local threats to the marine environment, and the Green Fins approach. Module 2: Management techniques for environmen- ▪ tally friendly dive trips, including how to prepare and plan your trip from booking at home to best practices on the boat and caring for your equipment after the dive. Module 3: Applying best diving practices underwater ▪ during every dive, learning tips for minimizing envi- ronmental impact while diving, and enhancing ma- rine life interactions. It also covers how to be an envi- ronmentally responsible underwater photographer. Finally, it suggests ways divers can apply the best practices they have learned and contribute to citizen science projects. To support development and administrative costs, the course fee is $25. The proceeds help fund the non-profit Reef-World Foundation’s efforts to implement the Green Fins program worldwide. Upon completion, students re- ceive a personalized electronic certificate, valid for two years, which is a nice bonus in addition to their C-card. The course content is regularly updated with the latest industry knowl- edge on environmental best practices, so students are en- couraged to retake the course after two years to refresh and update their knowledge. Scuba instructors have a unique opportunity to shape how new divers perceive and engage with the ocean. By using hybrid and flipped learning methods, you can integrate the ecological content already included in agency curricula - sup- plemented with resources discussed herein - to enhance your impact without completely overhauling your course structure. Your students come to you to learn how to dive, so give them more than just skills. Provide them with insight, re- sponsibility, and a reason to care. When you teach divers to
k
love the ocean and understand its fragility, you don’t just create better divers - you create ocean advocates. Don’t just teach diving; inspire stew- ardship. This is how we can preserve the blue planet - one student at a time.
Alex’s links
PAGE FOURTEEN | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
SAFARIS I SCUBA DIVING I SNORKELING Dolphins Sharks Stingrays Wrecks Walls
Catch your breath in Bimini.
BIMINI SCUBA CENTER Bimini, The Bahamas Call +1 (242) 473 8816 Visit biminiscubacenter.com
PAGE FIFTEEN | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
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PHOTO PRO
Behind The Lens: Entangled Orca — A Fight for Survival – Photos and text by Amos Nachoum, Big Animals Global Expeditions
The fjord lay still under the early winter sky, its waters reflecting the muted light of a sun too low to offer warmth. I slipped into the icy deep, the weight of my drysuit pressing me into silence. Ahead, a pod of orcas glided through the water – eight of them in tight for-
gled tightly around its tail, its rough fibers cutting deep. The net trailed like a dead weight, a man - made anchor tethering it to struggle. The orca’s strength was unmistakable, but even in its slow, deliberate strokes, I could sense the toll the net had taken. I sank to about 20 feet, leveling myself with the orca. As I raised my camera, my hands shook - not from the cold, but from the gravity of the moment. I framed the shot, capturing the stark contrast between the sleek, vital body and the crude, tangled net that dragged behind it. The image was one of strength and suffering, of survival against the odds. Sadly, all I could do was capture the moment with my camera - I had no tools to cut the net free.
mation, their sleek, black - and - white bodies cutting through the depths like living shadows. I only took a second to realize something was wrong. There was no curiosity, no playful in- teraction as I had experienced countless times before. Instead, they kept their distance, moving with a deliberate, almost solemn rhythm.
That evening, back on the mothership, Pierre, Olav, and I reviewed the images. To us, the net was a symbol of human care- lessness, its presence in the fjord a violation of the natural world’s harmony. “We have to try to help,” Pierre said, and we agreed to spend the next day trying to free the orca from its entangle- ment. The next morning, we searched
For 45 minutes, I swam after them, each kick of my fins slower than the last as the cold crept deeper into my body. My breath, loud in the quiet of the water, seemed to amplify the barrier be- tween us. The orcas never came closer, their formation unbroken, their movements purposeful. Fi- nally, exhausted and shivering, I surfaced and climbed back into the skiff.
for hours, finally found the pod, the injured orca was still there, moving more slowly than the day before. Pierre and I slipped into the water, this time without cameras, but with knives in hand. We dove repeatedly, pushing ourselves into the freezing depths to reach the animal. Each time, it stayed just beyond our grasp, swimming deeper into the fjord. The net, at least 30 feet long, was wrapped tight around its tail, impossible to remove. As the hours passed, the orca weakened, and our at- tempts to free it proved futile. We surfaced, exhausted and heartbroken. A Call to Responsibility: The image I captured that day has stayed with me, not as a triumph, but as a reminder of the silent costs of human activity. That net didn’t belong in the fjord, yet there it was, dragging down one of the ocean’s
Back on board, I reviewed the images I had captured. Pierre Robert de Latour, our dive master and a renowned expert on orca behavior, studied them with me. At first, nothing seemed unusual - just fleeting glimpses of the pod moving as one. But then, on one frame, I noticed a faint line trailing from the orca at the center. The others appeared to surround it, as if guarding an injured companion. It was blurry and indistinct, but I had never seen anything like it. “We need to follow them,” I said, and Olav, our skipper, turned the skiff back to- ward the pod. The chase lasted over an hour, the icy wind biting through my wet drysuit and chilling me to the bone. When we found the pod again, I slipped into the water, the cold shocking me into focus. Twice, I spotted the group in the dim blue light, but each time they evaded me, disappearing into the shadows. On the third dive, with daylight fading fast, I caught sight of a lone orca moving slowly, separated from the rest. Its movements were labored, its tail dragging slightly behind. I adjusted my camera settings for the low light and swam closer, wary not to startle it. Then, I saw it clearly: a fishing net tan-
most intelligent and graceful creatures. This isn’t just the story of a single orca in distress - it's a reflection of the imbalance we’ve introduced into the natural world, a symptom of a larger problem that demands our attention and action.
contact Amos
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TRAVEL Florida Keys Coral Restoration Success – by John Christopher Fine, J.D.,, J.D., Boynton Beach, FL
John Christopher Fine is a Master Scuba Instructor and Instructor Trainer. His research as a Marine Biologist has brought worldwide attention to ocean environment issues. He is the author of 28 published books and contributes regularly to magazines and newspapers about maritime af fairs.
“Four billion dollars a year. That’s the valuation of reefs including the Keys, Miami, Broward County and the
hundreds of billions of dollars a year,” the NOAA scientist added. It is clear that coral reefs are rainforests of the sea. Glob- ally, 25% of all marine species depend on reefs. “This is what divers want to see, what commercial and sport fishing depend on. Loss of reefs means loss of biodiversity,” Lesneski concluded. With this imperative, the continuation of I.CARE and its partner Key Dives throughout their relocation emphasizes the importance of work that has been undertaken by dedi- cated people. A landmark dive operation for twenty years at Tea Table
Dry Tortugas,” Kathryn Lesneski averred as a scientist and NOAA’s Research and Monitoring Coordinator for Mission Iconic Reefs. “That’s a pretty staggering number. Money talks across all sectors, including political,” Lesneski added. The valuation in terms of dollars spent by divers and tourists that come to the Keys to dive and snorkel includes their hotel stays, restaurants, shopping, and spending in every venue. Diving is money, and money talks. Divers come to the Keys to see coral reefs and enjoy healthy marine ecosystems. This is the driving incentive for Island Coral
Key, Mike Goldberg, founder and owner of Key Dives, has recently re- located to Strahl Plaza, bayside at Mile Marker 86 on Plantation Key. Their 42-foot Newton dive vessel is docked right behind the shop on a canal that gives immediate access to Snake Creek and some of the best ocean diving in the world. Mike Goldberg and Mike Ryan, Key Dives’ longtime Operations Manager, con- tinue their commitment to ocean conservation, working closely with scientists attached to I.CARE a non- profit created by Dr. Kylie Smith and Mike Goldberg. I.CARE’s new, spa- cious education center adjoins Key Dives. To gauge the success of I.CARE’s
And Restoration Education (I.CARE) and Key Dives to not only work on clean-up dives but on coral and sponge restoration projects. “NOAA is the lead. We are partner- driven with private sector participation. We are working on seven reefs through- out the sanctuary. We’ve taken a holistic approach long-term that includes restoration of coral and ongoing mon- itoring. We have been restoring Caribbean king crabs and sea urchins that eat algae,” Lesneski said. Funding comes from the federal and state governments, as well as from grants and private donations. Lesneski tries to dive with Key Dives, working with I.CARE as a volunteer as often as her work allows.
Mote Marine Coral Lab
work in coral restoration, Mike Goldberg says, “Look at the coral we put down. Of about 300 grooved brain coral out- plants at Captain Arno’s reef, one of I.CARE’s restoration sites, we have close to 100% survival. We put those down about two years ago. These corals are only about the size of a half-dollar now. They grow slowly - in ten years they’ll be the size of a flapjack. That’s incredibly encouraging.” It is more than encouraging, it is progress made by the caring
Emphasizing the importance of reefs, NOAA has insti- tuted wave sensing on the Eastern Dry Rocks off Key West. Wave sensors are deployed to measure wave frequency and height as well as wave energy. “We’ve collected data that re- veals that 90% of wave energy is reduced over coral reefs. Reefs are natural barriers to wave energy. This results in sav- ings from storm and flood damage from hurricanes in the
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TRAVEL continued dedication and teamwork of volunteers, staff, interns, donors, sponsors, and scientists. It is proof positive that people can make a vast difference for ocean conservation. Stony corals were in great decline, prompting researchers to state that live coral coverage in the Keys is only 5%. That compares to live coral coverage of 90% a scant seventy years ago. “Our overall survival rate since we began five
Divers then board their 42’ Newton ‘Giant Stride’ and head out to reefs designated under permit for restoration. Under close supervision of scientists, volunteer divers not only enjoy hands-on experience, they come away with the satis- faction of helping to restore once pristine reefs. Coral and sponges are grown by I.CARE on ‘trees’ off a reef called The Maze. This ocean-grown coral includes
years ago, inclusive of the 2023 mass bleaching event, is 43%,” Mike Goldberg added. That the owner of a dive op- eration joined with scientific experts like Dr. Kylie Smith and Dr. Bobbie Renfro, a sponge researcher, to restore offshore reefs with living coral and sponges is testimony to what private enterprise can ac- complish when members of
staghorn and brain corals as well as three species of sponges. Dr. Renfro calls sponges the ‘glue of the reef,’ integral to healthy reef ecology interspersed with outplanted coral. “Corals we are outplanting now survived 2023. They are the most resistant and resilient corals we know of today. Sponges, once decimated by
Keys Dive & i.Care Partnership
the community and generous private donors support the cause of ocean conservation. While government grants have helped, I.CARE’s base for education and logistical support for interns, fuel, logistics, and educational pro- grams has come from the private sector. Key Dives donates 2% of profits back to I.CARE and has organized other dive operations to do the same. Dives are guided by Key Dives instructors and divemas- ters. For those wishing to participate, I.CARE offers sem- inars about coral and sponge restoration in their conference room with hands-on demonstrations and explanations.
past hurricanes, are integral to the reef. We’re learning more and more as we observe sponges living with reef corals in the same location, one benefits the other. Dr. Bobbie Ren- fro alludes to the fact that a single tennis ball-sized sponge filters 1.5 gallons of water a minute. This filtering creates cleaner water. The more sponges on the reefs, the more
healthy our corals will be,” Mike Goldberg said. For those wanting more information or to par- ticipate in Key Dives operations and I.CARE projects visit www.keydives.com or call 305-664- 2211 and I.CARE at icareaboutcoral.org.
email John
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DEMA UPDATE The 2025 Mid-Year Report by the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA) emphasizes its role as the central catalyst for collab- oration within the diving industry. Amid evolving market dynamics and economic shifts, DEMA delivers value to its diverse membership - including retailers, dive operators, manufacturers, training agencies, media, and service providers. Its structure, spanning six membership classes, allows the organization to respond effectively to stakeholders across the diving ecosystem.
DEMA Association Mid-Year 2025 Update – by Tom Ingram, MBA, CAE, President & CEO, DEMA
would limit provisioning ecotourism (shark feeding), highlighting the economic and educational benefits of such activities. Supporting the FISHES Act, which streamlines dis- ▪ aster relief for fisheries and benefits dive businesses reliant on healthy marine ecosystems. Engaging with legislative measures like Lulu’s Law, ▪ addressing proposed alerts for shark attacks. DEMA has advocated for balanced policies that do not foster undue alarm or hamper dive tourism. Evaluating policies such as the Corporate Trans- ▪ parency Act and its impacts, ensuring that the needs of diving businesses are represented.
Strengthening Membership Engagement: DEMA has introduced and expanded its DEMA Rewards Pro- gram, an initiative that encourages active member partici- pation by granting points for attending meetings, exhibiting at DEMA Show, sponsoring events, serving on commit- tees, and making early membership renewals. These points can be redeemed for discounts, sponsorship opportunities, and more, making membership both rewarding and cost effective. The Importance of DEMA Show: The DEMA Show returns to Orlando in November 2025, reaffirming its role as the premier global gathering for the diving industry. In its role as one of the largest trade shows in North America, the event will host hundreds of exhibitors and attendees from across the globe. New elements like the New Product Showcase, First Time Exhibitors Center, and interactive education spaces are planned to foster connections and stimulate business growth. Committee priorities also focus on survey-informed improvements, including making the show more interactive and accessible to both exhibitors and attendees. Advocating for the Diving Industry: Through its Pub- lic Policy Committee, DEMA provides a voice for diving businesses in legislative and regulatory arenas. In 2025, its efforts focus on: Advocating for the DIVE BOAT Act to reduce rising ▪ insurance costs that have impacted dive operators across the U.S. Monitoring the Florida Keys National Marine Sanc- ▪ tuary Rules, especially proposed restrictions that
Sustainable Practices and Environmental Steward- ship: With the SS United States being prepared as the world’s largest artificial reef, DEMA has reiterated its long standing support for artificial reef projects that benefit both the marine environment and diving tourism. Similarly, it has advocated for rules that recognize the value of sus- tainable marine tourism, especially as a tool for conserva- tion and economic growth. Growing the Diving Market: Through its retail, man- ufacturing, and research committees, DEMA promotes: Stronger connections across the supply chain. ▪ New marketing and engagement opportunities ▪ within the industry. Education, collaboration, and resource sharing that ▪ benefit retailers, instructors, travel sellers, and resort operators. Research and relevant data to retailers about their ▪ local demographic markets. Conclusion: The 2025 DEMA Mid-Year Report show- cases an organization deeply committed to nurturing the diving industry. From facilitating connections at the DEMA Show to shaping legislative policies that affect businesses across the sector, DEMA aims to foster growth,
collaboration, and sustainability. Its ongoing efforts support retailers, travel professionals, manufacturers, and dive operators in a mar- ketplace that demands resilience, adaptability, and a focus on long term success.
be a volunteer
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