mental education. Specifically, dive professionals cited the need for: 1) better education and awareness for dive cus- tomers; 2) proper environmental training for dive staff; and 3) improved education within local communities. The study’s summary concluded, “Businesses are currently missing a huge opportunity to provide educational resources about sustainability and conservation to staff and guests. Eighty-three percent of dive tourists said they are looking for further sustainability education on their holiday, and this is matched by the 76% of dive professionals who said their cus- tomers are requesting further sustainability education from them.” But while it may be helpful to define a problem, that’s a use- less exercise unless the problem is solved. On the surface, a solution to the Great Disconnect is sim- ple, though implementing it is not necessarily easy: The cur- ricula by which dive professionals are trained must be radically updated and expanded. Emphasis on the environment must receive equal importance and attention during instructor training as do topics such as physics, physiology, and skill de- velopment. It cannot be a secondary priority, as it is currently. However, this will take time and may be resisted by those in the industry who see expanding instructor training as making it more expensive or less profitable. Regardless, I believe a better solution is not to wait for the “industry” to solve the problem, but to act now as individuals and commit to filling the knowledge gap ourselves. Fortu- nately, many professionals have already taken on this chal- lenge using existing resources and programs to upgrade the content and quality of their courses. Indeed, most training agencies provide materials and courses on a range of envi- ronmental topics. However, the idea that knowledge about the environment is somehow “continuing education” or a “specialty” course is spurious because entry-level training is where most divers stop. Thus, the Great Disconnect will con- tinue until ALL certified divers have a firm grounding and appreciation for the environment in which they operate. In the end, although we may not succeed in all cases, we must strive to turn all “occasional” divers into “core” divers by con- necting them more deeply with the environment that drove their interest in the first place. To help instructors improve their approach to environmen- tal education, conservation, and sustainability, particularly in entry-level courses, I’ll devote this column in the coming months to providing insights from my long experience as a ECO PRO continued
marine educator and program developer. Each article will pro- vide an overall “take-home message” about some topic of environmental interest relevant to divers, along with links to in-depth resources, such as books, videos, free online training, and other materials. I’d also like to solicit your ideas so we can pass them on to your colleagues in future articles. In conclusion, I don’t want to leave the impression that all entry-level scuba courses are lacking regarding environmental content. Quite the contrary, many instructors go to great lengths to provide an exceptional environmental education to their students, motivating them to become dedicated con- servation advocates. However, this is the exception rather than the rule. Dive professionals can have a profound impact on dive industry growth and the health of aquatic ecosystems, but only if we do a better job. Over the decades, diving edu- cators have done an exceptional job of communicating the
knowledge and skills required to create safe divers. The time has come for us to do the same in con- veying the majesty of the underwater world and the ethos to make it a better place.
Alex’s links
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!
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