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 SUCCES SAFETY & TRAINING CHECKLISTS, RULES & RESCUE TRAINING ECO PRO INSTRUCTION’S MISSING LINK
RETAILING NEW ANTI-FOG TECHNOLOGY, CREATING A RETAILER SCORE CARD PT 2, BUSINESS EDU 5 KEYS TO SUCCES, NEW SHOPPING RESEARCH
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 gla- cial melt water. In this photo the American plate is on the left. Thingvellir National Park, Iceland.
digital version
TRENDS IN DIVE RETAILING, TRAVEL & TRAINING
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SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY™ MAGAZINE • MAY 2025
PAGE 27 TRAVEL
CONTENTS PAGE 5 FROM THE PUBLISHER Just Keep Swimming: Business Lessons from Hammerhead Sharks
ADVERTISER’S INDEX 2 & 3 Aggressor Adventures 6 Diver’s Alert Network (DAN) 10 Aggressor Adventures 11 Take Our Subscriber Survey & Win 12 Green Fins Marine Tourism 13 Alex Brylske’s Book by Reef Smart 14 Make A Di ff erence Challenge 15 Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba 16 Stream2Sea Reef Safe Products 16 Sea Experience, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 17 Big Animals Global Expeditions 20 DRYFOB Key Containers 21 ScubaWeather.com 21 Barefoot Cay Resort, Roatan 23 Blue Force Fleet Liveaboards 24 Clear Story Coach 26 Wayne B. Brown Book 29 All Star Liveaboards 31 Sau Bay Resort & Spa, Fiji 32 SeaCure Custom Mouthpieces 33 X-Ray Magazine 35 ScubaRadio 36 DIVO By Scubatech 38 Books by Dan Orr/Best Publishing 39 Explorer Ventures Liveaboards BACK COVER DEMA
PAGE 20 BUSINESS EDU William Cline: 1st Quarter Global Dive Survey Results Revealed PAGE 18 TRAVEL Dr. John Christopher Fine: Florida Keys Coral Restoration Success PAGE 22 BUSINESS EDU Cathryn Castle Garcia: The Honest Truth: A Different Kind of Show- and-Tell for Business Success PAGE 17 PHOTO PRO Amos Nachoum: The Hunter and The Hunted
PAGE 30 BUSINESS EDU William Cline: 2025 Dive Travel Trends – What Dive Retailers Need to Know to Stay Ahead Gil Zeimer: Part IV: How to “Blue” Your Business in 2025 & Make More Green – PADI Eco Centers Peter Symes: Dive Into Medieval History–Turkey PAGE 34 TRAINING Patrick Hammer: Rescue Training Succes for Your Shop PAGE 33 TRAVEL
PAGE 7 SAFETY
Dan Orr: Checklists and a Consistent Pre-Dive Ritual
PAGE 11 TRAVEL
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 PAGE 14
PAGE 25 RETAILING
PAGE 37 RETAILING
BUSINESS EDU Wayne B. Brown: My Use of ‘Focus’ to Navigate Aggressor Adventures
Tom Leaird & Brooke Mentorship...the Ship that Will Keep the Industry from Sinking
Jeff Cinciripino: Winning with a Balanced Scorecard - Part 2
PAGE FOUR | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
FROM THE PUBLISHER
JUST KEEP SWIMMING: BUSINESS LESSONS FROM HAMMERHEAD SHARKS
A couple of weeks ago, I had the chance to dive with great hammerheads in Bimini - and wow! These sharks are massive. Watching them glide past, calm and confident, was unfor- gettable. One of the most powerful moments was seeing a shark feeder hand-feed a full-grown hammerhead right in front of us. The shot was so striking, we’re featur- ing it on this month’s cover of Scuba Diving Industry Magazine . But what really stuck with me wasn’t just their size - it was how they move. Hammerheads have nearly 360-degree vision thanks to their wide-set eyes, but here’s the interesting part: they actually see better when they’re in motion. When they stay still, their vision narrows. It’s movement that gives them full awareness. That got me thinking - what if dive professionals took a cue from hammerheads? See the Whole Picture: Running a dive business isn’t all reef dives and certification cards. It’s gear repairs, group travel logistics, instructor scheduling, customer follow- ups, pool nights, and insurance paperwork. You wear every hat - and you have to see it all . Like the hammerhead scanning the reef, dive pros need wide awareness. That means spotting staff burnout before it affects guests, noticing shifting travel trends, or identifying the anxious diver who didn’t speak up during the briefing. Keep Moving to Stay Sharp: The hammerhead’s superpower isn’t just wide vision - it’s that it stays in motion. As dive professionals, we see more clearly when we stay active. That doesn’t mean being frantic - it means always moving forward. Try a new specialty. Update your website. Reach out to past guests. Test a group trip. The pros who stay sharp are the ones who keep swimming. When I’m working on the magazine or planning a podcast or ad campaign, I apply that same mindset. Keep learning. Keep trying new things. Don’t wait for change - move toward it. Want to Connect in Person? We’ll be at the Scuba Show in Long Beach, May 31–June 1 at booth #155 - stop by and say hello! And yes, DEMA planning is al- ready underway (can you believe it’s less than six months away?). Like a hammer- head, I’m working on my 360-degree vision now - scanning what’s ahead, connecting with industry pros, and building momentum for what’s next. Whether you’re underwater leading a dive or back at the shop managing chaos, take a lesson from nature: scan wide, stay in motion, and grow your vision. Your business - and your divers - will thank you for it.
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 Gavin Young, SE Asia Ad Sales Carlos Lander, Latin America Ad Sales Walker Cline, Digital, Social & SEO Contributors: Wayne B. Brown, Augusta, GA Alex Brylske, Ph.D., Avon Park, FL William Cline, Plano, TX Jeff Cinciripino, Rocky Hill, CT Cathryn Castle Garcia, Azores, Portugal Al Hornsby, Singapore Carlos Lander, Caracas, Venezuela Tom Leaird/Brooke Speedy, Muncie, IN David Prichard & Lily Mak, Dallas, TX Amos Nachoum, Pacific Grove, CA SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY™ MAGAZINE MAY 2025 VOL. 2, NO. 5
Dan Orr, Driggs, ID Peter Symes, Denmark
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. Neal Watson, Jr, Bimini, Bahamas Amber Wagenknecht, Plano, TX Gil Zeimer, San Rafael, CA
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-
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-
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
breather Forum 3.0 was a number of consensus posi- tions. One involved the im- portance of checklists, primarily for the use of re- breathers, but the implica- tions are far ranging: “The
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 sobering thought. I am sure something like that has happened to many divers, possi- bly 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 teaching, we would make sure that we had everything we 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,
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 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. 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 PAGE SEVEN | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
SAFETY continued 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
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.
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 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
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 reduce the likelihood of something vital being missing and will, hopefully, enhance the diving experience. A good checklist and consistent pre-dive ritual can be the best start of a good dive!
email Dan Orr
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PAGE EIGHT | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
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-
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 reality has been the develop- ment of excellent guidelines
oping a bit more knowledge and practice in handling their gear in a safe manner. And, when this is oc- curring on a boat, the ante goes up – they could also easily fall on someone else, as well.
When such standards development occurs in diving, how- ever, there is also sometimes that element of “what’s the worst that could happen?” that adds to the importance. 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.
and training. However, we do often hear complaints that we may be overly involved in such rule-making (“standards”) and related enforcement. That said, if we look at diving and the rule-making it includes, I don’t believe we typically view our- selves as control freaks, but more likely responsible folks who are adequately cognizant of the sometimes narrow spaces be- tween safe practices 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
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 is not at your location, but instead at the location where your plane is coming from, or even its route before that location. A delay or cancellation in one location can create a “domino effect” for the plane’s remaining schedule. The problem in-
group dragged our luggage inside to get checked in for our flight. When asked about our scheduled flight that day, the person responded: “No plane today, maybe tomorrow.” That is not something you want to hear when you have cru-
cial 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 would- n’t be there today, but probably tomorrow (hopefully). “No problem,” she responded. 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-
tensifies when you are scheduled on smaller airlines that don’t have an extra plane to put into service when a problem occurs. 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.
Groups can use multi-day layovers in connection hub cities to go sightseeing like this group in Singapore (before heading to Indonesia).
died. This was fortunate for us also at the beginning of the trip because when we arrived in Cairns, en route to PNG, two of our checked bags went on to Japan instead of staying 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 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
If you spend extra “buffer” time at a major flight connec- tion 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 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 Sin- gapore to connect to the final location, we decided to lay over a couple of days there to explore the sights (as well as let peo- ple and bags catch up). Everyone enjoyed 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
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 knowl-
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 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 become frontline sentinels and advocates for ocean health. Furthermore, divers who understand the fragility of marine ecosystems are more likely to engage in responsible behaviors, 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 de- manding more environmental education. Many new divers, especially Gen Zers and Millennials, are motivated to enter
edge 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 training focuses heavily on how to dive, with relatively little attention 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 un- derwater realm—they are stew- ards of the ocean and influencers of diver behavior. As pressures continue to mount on marine ecosystems, the role of the instructor must evolve to
the sport due to their concern for the environment. When in- structors treat marine ecology as a core subject, not just an after- thought, it resonates. It shows that dive training is about more than just learning how to blow
meet the current challenges. One of the most impactful ways to do that is by expanding 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. How- ever, they don’t always use it in the most effective way. Max- imum effect comes not from abandoning face-to-face academic instruction 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 envi- ronments. 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.
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 re- mains: 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 instruction, 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, prob- lem-solving, and applied learning. Here’s how this might work from an environmental perspective:
PAGE TWELVE | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
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 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 experi- ence. 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. However, as I mentioned earlier, some elements of ecology and conservation are already incorporated into the curricu- lum. Your job is to add a few supplements to enhance stu- dent understanding. Too often, environmental content is treated as filler or relegated to the end of the course, often viewed as a side- note. 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. ECO PRO continued
Are you practicing navigation? Use it as an opportunity ▪ to identify environmental health indicators (such as the 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 en- vironmental education in your entry-level course does not require reinventing the wheel. There is a wealth of outstand- ing resources online to support your marine education ef- forts. These can be easily incorporated into any hybrid course. Use these resources for assignments on pre-course reading, to facilitate flipped classroom discussions, or simply to keep yourself sharp. They add depth and lend credibility 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 to your instruction. I’ve listed some of my favorites below. The links are available in the resource list, which can be downloaded 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 ex- plores how coral reefs function, emphasizing the roles both invertebrates 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 disclosure, this is a course that I created based
a much 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 marine life in- teractions. It also covers how to be an environmentally respon- sible 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 in- tegrate the ecological content already included in agency curricula—supplemented 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, responsibility, and a reason to care. When you teach divers to love the ocean and understand its fragility, you don’t just
on Section Two of my book, Beneath the Blue Planet: A Diver’s Guide to the Ocean.) The Khaled bin Sultan ▪ Living Ocean Foundation Education Portal offers
fourteen award-winning, custom-designed modules that can be easily integrated into any hybrid course. 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 another program available at a modest cost that may be the best option: the Green Fin Diver e-Course. More than just providing information, the course emphasizes diver at- titudes 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 differentiate your program from the norm and justify
k
create better divers—you create ocean advo- cates. Don’t just teach diving; inspire steward- ship. 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.
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PAGE FIFTEEN | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
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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 the silence. Ahead of me, a pod of orcas glided
movements were labored, its tail dragging slightly behind it. I adjusted my camera settings for the low light and swam closer, careful not to startle it. Then, I saw it clearly: a fishing net tan- gled tightly around its tail, its rough fibers cutting deep into the animal’s flesh. The net trailed behind it 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 deflated my drysuit and dove deeper, leveling myself with the orca at about 20 feet. As I raised my camera, my hands trembled – not from the cold, but from the gravity of the moment. I framed the shot, capturing the stark contrast be- tween the sleek, vital body of the orca and the crude, tangled
through the water – eight of them in tight formation, their sleek, black-and-white bodies cutting through the depths like living shadows. I only took me a second to realize that some- thing was wrong. There was no curiosity, no playful interac- tion as I had experienced countless times before. Instead, they kept their distance, moving with a deliberate, almost solemn rhythm.
net that dragged behind it. The image was one of strength and suffering, of survival against odds. Sadly, all I could to was capture the moment with my camera because I did not have the proper equipment to cut the net free. That evening, back on the mothership, Pierre, Olav, and I reviewed the images. To us, the
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 close, their formation unbroken, their movements purposeful. Fi- nally, exhausted and shivering, I surfaced and climbed back into the skiff.
net was a symbol of human carelessness, its presence in the fjord a violation of the natural world’s harmony. "We have to try to help," Pierre said, and we all agreed to spend the next day trying to free the orca from it's entanglement. The next morning, we searched for hours, our skiff cutting through the still, frigid waters of Tysfjord. When we finally found the pod again, 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 firmly wrapped around its tail, impossible to remove without closer contact. As the hours passed, the orca’s struggles were visible, its strength waning, and our at-
Back on board, I reviewed the images I had managed to capture. 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 some- thing: a faint line trailing behind the orca at the center of the group. The others appeared to surround it, as if guarding their 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 toward 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 back into the water, the cold shocking me into full focus. Twice, I spotted the group in the dim blue light, but each time they evaded me, disappearing into the shadows of the fjord. On the third dive, with daylight fading fast, I caught sight of a lone orca moving slowly, separated from the rest. Its
tempts to free it proved useless. We eventually ascended to the surface, our hearts weighed down by the futility of our efforts. A Call to Responsibility
contact Amos
PAGE SEVENTEEN | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
TRAVEL Florida Keys Coral Restoration Success – by Dr. John Christopher Fine
Dr 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 au- thor of 28 published books and contributes regularly to magazines and newspapers about mar- itime affairs.
“Four billion dollars a year. That’s the valuation of reefs including the Keys, Miami, Broward County and the
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 Key, Mike Goldberg, founder and owner of Key Dives, has
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 I.CARE and
recently relocated to Strahl Plaza, bay- side at Mile Marker 86 on Plantation Key. Their 42-foot Newton dive ves- sel 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 (Island Coral And Restoration Education) 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 work in coral restoration, Mike Gold-
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
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 hundreds of billions of dollars a year,” the NOAA scientist
berg says, “Look at the coral we put down. Of about 300 grooved brain coral outplants 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 incred- ibly encouraging.” It is more than encouraging, it is progress made by the caring dedication and teamwork of volunteers,
PAGE EIGHTEEN | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
TRAVEL continued 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
about coral and sponge restoration in their conference room with hands-on demonstrations and explanations. 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.
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
Coral and sponges are grown by I.Care on ‘trees’ off a reef called The Maze. This ocean- grown coral includes 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 out- planted coral. “Corals we are outplanting now survived 2023. They are
Keys Dive & i.Care Partnership
William Cline & Amber Wagenknecht
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 sup- port for interns, fuel, logistics, and educational programs has come from the private sector. Key Dives donates 2% of profits back to I.Care and has organized other dive op- erations to do the same. Dives are guided by Key Dives instructors and divemas- ters. For those wishing to participate, I.Care offers seminars
the most resistant and resilient corals we know of today. Sponges, once decimated by past hurricanes, are integral to the reef. We’re learning more and more as we observe sponges living with reef corals in the same lo- cation, one benefits the other. Dr. Bobbie Ren- fro alludes to the fact that a single tennis ball-size 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 email Amber
PAGE NINETEEN | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
RESEARCH
The Results for Cline’s 1st Quarter Global Dive Survey – by William Cline, Publisher, & President for 35 years of Cline Group, a marketing, research and advertising consultancy specializing the scuba diving industry.
read the results
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PAGE TWENTY | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
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BUSINESS EDU Show and Sell: Tips for Using Video as a Sales Tool – by Cathryn Castle Garcia, Owner, ClearStoryCoach.com, The Azores Cathryn Castle Garcia is a writer, business strategist, & co-owner of C2G2Productions.com, a multimedia production company.
In last month’s article on truth- telling as a sales tool, I mentioned mar- keting expert and author Marcus Sheridan’s book, The Visual Sale, in which he and co-author Tylar Lessard identify video as a highly effective way for businesses to explain complex ideas and build trust with customers.
looking at a still image or reading a block of text. If we want customers to pay attention, video is proving to be the winner. Let’s say you have a new client interested in learning to dive. They’ve stopped in. Of course, you chat them up about scuba lessons and capture their contact information. Now, you can text them a message with a video link, saying, “Thanks for stopping by earlier. It was great to meet you. Here’s a video of our ‘Try Scuba’ ses- sion we talked about. We’ve got one scheduled next Sat- urday. Space is limited. Call me and I’ll reserve your spot.” 4. It saves time and adds value to a conversation. If you create short videos that illustrate various frequently asked questions (FAQs), the next time someone calls, in addi- tion to answering their questions in real time, you can get their cell number and text them the appropriate FAQ video, with the message, “Take a look. And then let’s talk some more.” Tips for Getting Started
If you’re not already using videos to promote your business, this article can help you get started. If you’re already posting videos, you might pick up a few tips that will improve and streamline your video production process. Why Video? We’ll answer this question in four parts: 1. Speaking directly to your potential clients via video lets them see your face and hear your voice. It helps quickly
establish a personal connec- tion that builds trust. I’ll bet you have a favorite video podcaster or celebrity you watch regularly. Over time, it’s likely you’d say, “I almost feel like I know them,” even though you’ve only seen their
If you’re thinking you’ll need a substantial investment in tech equipment, rest easy. All you need is your smartphone, a tri- pod or sturdy surface on which to rest your phone/camera, and
videos and haven’t met them in person. You get to know their personality and you develop a level of familiarity. Case in point: I’ve watched interviews of Sir David At- tenborough and heard his nature documentary narra- tions so often that if I ever got to meet him in person, I’d probably rush in for a hug. He feels like family to me. (I just hope his security detail would be understanding.) 2. It’s what potential customers expect and want. Our smartphones make it easy. According to video produc- tion company Wyzowl.com, a whopping 96 percent of customers polled in 2024 indicate they’ve watched an “explainer” video to learn more about a product or serv- ice prior to engaging with sales staffers. Clearly, “no con- tact” consumer searches are a thing. Your potential clients are likely to check you out online before they walk through your door. 3. It improves conversions. Studies are showing video con- tent holds a prospective buyer’s attention longer than just
some good lighting. For best results, make a small investment in a lavalier microphone and a ring light, both of which are easy finds online and at a tech store. You’ll also need an ed- iting tool. Popular free editing tools include CapCut, YouTube Create, and InShot. For Apple users, iMovie is also popular. The next tip comes from one of my favorite YouTube stars, Ali Abdaal, a former doctor who’s now a fulltime YouTuber with over six million subscribers. In his “How to Start a YouTube Channel” video he says, “Get going. Get good. Get smart.” He advises you to get over yourself and just record and post your video content. Never mind if you don’t like the way you look on camera or can’t stand the sound of your voice. Just start, because done is better than good. You will get better at it when you keep at it. Abdaal’s video tutorials on how to get good at making videos are straightforward and packed with useful advice. I suggest you
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