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
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