AWARE Week is back! Ocean lovers around the world are invited to join in the AWARE Week 2020 celebrations and act for change.

PADI® and the Project AWARE® team are joining forces to celebrate the power of the global dive community and inspire positive actions for a clean and healthy ocean, fins on and fins off. The third annual AWARE Week takes place throughout the week of 19-27 September 2020. 

AWARE Week 2020 encourages dive professionals and the global dive community to lead or take part in AWARE activities and courses focused on bringing about meaningful change for the ocean. We strongly believe that one single person can make a difference and that person is you!  Can we count on you to carry the torch for ocean protection and inspire others to be a PADI® Torchbearer? 

This AWARE Week, join a community that cares deeply about healing the planet above and below the surface. Whether you’re a PADI® Instructor, a dive shop owner, or PADI Divemaster with a passion for conservation, there are countless ways to celebrate AWARE Week 2020. 

How can you participate? 

• Start by joining PADI’s growing community of Torchbearers 

• Offer the Project AWARE specialties including the revised Project AWARE Specialty, and the Dive Against Debris® Specialty. From learning about tips to protect the ocean planet to understanding how underwater citizen science and marine debris data can help affect policy change, each course gives ocean enthusiasts the power to protect the ocean, above and beneath the waves.

• Add your AWARE Week actions to Project AWARE's Action Map and My Ocean - Project AWARE’s online community of agents of positive change for the ocean. Hosts can also list their events, activities and courses on the PADI Adventures™ app to elevate awareness with divers near them.

ABOUT THE SPECIALTIES:

Project AWARE Specialty

With the updated Project AWARE Specialty course, divers get an introduction to Project AWARE as a global movement and learn how to personally take action. The dry course is ideal for divers and non-divers, and focuses on the 10 Tips for Divers to Protect the Ocean Planet. It offers countless course linking opportunities.

The Dive Against Debris® Specialty

Through the Dive Against Debris® Specialty, divers gain the knowledge and skills to activate their inner citizen-scientist and participate in Dive Against Debris® surveys under the guidance of a PADI Professional. The course explains how to remove, record and report marine debris found on the seabed whilst on SCUBA following a survey protocol and specific techniques. The Dive Against Debris® Specialty is a one-dive specialty and counts towards the prestigious PADI Master Scuba Diver Rating. The Dive Against Debris® Specialty training dive also counts as an Adventure Dive as part of the Advanced Open Water Course so is a great way to not only set your students on their way to becoming PADI Advanced Open Water divers but also equip them with the passion and tools needed to advocate for a clean ocean.  

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO TEACH:

PADI Instructors

All PADI Instructors are qualified to teach the Project AWARE Specialty and can apply to become Dive Against Debris® Specialty Instructors. Either take a Specialty Instructor Training course from a PADI Course Director or apply directly to your PADI Regional Headquarters (standard fees from your price list apply and 100% of the Instructor fee is donated to Project AWARE).

PADI Assistant Instructors

All PADI Assistant Instructors are qualified to teach the Project AWARE Specialty.

PADI Divemasters

Divemasters can apply to teach the Project AWARE Specialty course after completing Specialty Instructor training with a PADI Course Director.

Want to learn more? Download the courses materials from the Project AWARE website www.projectaware.org/tools and stay tuned for the new AWARE Week 2020 Toolkit

As well as equipping divers, with the skills needed to conduct Dive Against Debris® surveys, PADI’s AWARE Week is also designed to bring together ocean lovers from all walks of life to be a voice for the ocean and act for change.

How to Get Involved? Join an AWARE Week event near you or create your own. See what conservation specialty courses are on offer, and stay tuned for the latest 2020 AWARE Week Toolbox. Mark your calendar or start planning today!