Teaching the Project AWARE and Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialties Creating Environmentally Responsible Divers

Overview Project AWARE – Goals, Standards and Marketing Peak Performance Buoyancy – Goals, Standards and Marketing

Project AWARE – Goals, Standards and Marketing What are the goals of the Project AWARE Specialty program? Offer divers and nondivers an orientation to plight of the world’s aquatic ecosystems Overviews interdependent nature of worldwide water systems Explores issues of coastal degradation, overfishing, pollution and degraded environments Offers solutions and suggestions for action by concerned individuals

Research into environmental education shows that it requires more than knowledge to change attitudes and instill a desire to take action. To turn concerned people into action-oriented conservationists, they must understand the issues as well as believe that change is possible.

Project AWARE Goals of Project AWARE Specialty . . . Project AWARE Specialty Program Instructor Outline – Course Overview, A and B Make people aware of current and future threats to the aquatic environment Discusses personal responsibility and opportunities to get involved on local, national and international levels

Project AWARE How do you teach the Project AWARE Specialty Program? Become familiar with Instructor Outline The more you know, the better you can explain it Read the AWARE manual Visit the Project AWARE website – www.projectaware.org Get involved in environmental organizations and read environmental publications

Project AWARE Teaching the program . . . Project AWARE Specialty Program Instructor Outline – Course Requirements Because there are no prerequisite requirements, no minimum age requirement and no maximum instructor-to-participant ratio, your judgment is critical Adjust scope to fit interest and age levels Relate information to local environment and reinforce that change is possible

Project AWARE Teaching the program . . . Project AWARE Specialty Program Instructor Outline – Course Requirements Use AWARE manual and globe or world map Identify vastness of earth’s water resources Point out areas of fisheries concerns, coastal zones, coral reefs and degraded marine environments Have Project AWARE brochures , photos, diagrams, videos, posters, etc.

Project AWARE How can you market and promote the Project AWARE Specialty Program? It’s a “program” because it has a wide variety of uses Conduct as a course and offer completion cards Present in conjunction with other PADI courses or environmental projects and offer Project AWARE Certificates of Recognition Promotional and marketing ideas in Course Overview section of Instructor Outline Success is limited only by your enthusiasm and innovation

Peak Performance Buoyancy Goals, Standards and Marketing

Peak Performance Buoyancy What are the goals of the Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty Diver course? Buoyancy control is critical, yet a struggle for many divers Attaining buoyancy control appeals to a wide variety of divers

Peak Performance Buoyancy Goals of course . . . Teach divers how to set up and wear the correct amount of weight Fine-tune neutral buoyancy underwater Improve buoyancy control and body positioning Slow and control descents and ascents Encourage divers to practice skills and gain dive experience under guidance

Peak Performance Buoyancy How is the Peak Performance Buoyancy course structured? Designed to be interesting, convenient and require a minimal time commitment Consists of basic knowledge development and 2 open water dives May be completed in 1 day

Peak Performance Buoyancy Course structure . . . Three knowledge development options: Preferred method — independent learning by watching PPB video and reading log insert No PPB video — have divers read Peak Performance Buoyancy section of Adventures in Diving manual or Multimedia, and watch Adventures in Diving video No material — use Peak Performance Buoyancy Course Instructor Outline to deliver information Go over completed Knowledge Reviews Prescriptively elaborate on information

Peak Performance Buoyancy video

Peak Performance Buoyancy Course structure . . . Open water dives consist of weighting adjustments and buoyancy skills Dive One requirements same as Peak Performance Buoyancy Adventure Dive Consider including confined water session (buoyancy clinic) as part of course Conduct buoyancy clinic as a stand-alone program or in conjunction with Scuba Review

Peak Performance Buoyancy Course structure . . . PADI AIs may conduct specialty under the direction of a PADI Instructor Instructor is available for consultation and co-signs diver Training Record Allows AIs to ask questions or seek guidance Makes it possible for divers to receive Adventure Dive credit Conduct dives at night for divers with Night Adventure Dive or equivalent experience

Peak Performance Buoyancy How do you teach the Peak Performance Buoyancy course? Documentation requirements: Administrative paperwork – Standard Safe Diving Practices Statement of Understanding, Medical Statement and Liability Release Use Student Record File Use Specialty Training Record to verify completion of course requirements Complete and submit a PIC envelope for certification card

Peak Performance Buoyancy Teaching the course . . . Have a variety of weight systems available: Webbed belts and solid weights Belts with pouches Weight harness systems Ankle weights Integrated BCD/weight system units Variety of buckle styles Variety of weight stops/keepers

Peak Performance Buoyancy Teaching the course . . . Select open water site carefully: Recommended maximum depth is 9-12 metres/30-40 feet Flat bottom area for practice – sand or platform Contours and obstacles for depth changes Little or mild water movement Create an underwater obstacle course: Set up before dive and remove after dive PVC pipe in a variety of shapes Hula hoops ™ Buoys or plastic bottles tied in a bunch

Peak Performance Buoyancy Teaching the course . . . Play buoyancy games or have buoyancy contests One finger balancing Close-up contest Passing the weight Others . . .

Peak Performance Buoyancy How can you market and promote the Peak Performance Buoyancy course? Target Open Water Divers immediately after certification Promote to Adventures in Diving program student divers interested in receiving specialty course recognition Offer to divers who have purchased new exposure suit, BCD or weight system Promote to divers interested in underwater photography or videography

Peak Performance Buoyancy How can you market and promote the Peak Performance Buoyancy course? Encourage divers with professional career goals to obtain demonstration quality buoyancy control Market as part of an “AWARE Diver” program with the Project AWARE Specialty, AWARE – Fish Identification course and Underwater Naturalist course Ideas?

We’ve reviewed . . . Project AWARE – Goals, Standards and Marketing Peak Performance Buoyancy – Goals, Standards and Marketing