Surface Interval March/April 2014 The PADI National Geographic Dive Centre and Resort Program is Ending This is a reminder that the licensing agreement between the PADI organisation and the National Geographic Society expired on 31 December 2013.

PADI Business Academy revolutionizes the Dive Industry Follow up results from PADI Members in Asia Pacific revealed that the group of PADI Retailers and Resorts who attended a Business Academy in 2013, enjoyed an average 13.6% increase in diving certifications over 2012.

New PADI Free Diver Distinctive Specialty Course Instructor Guides Available New PADI Free Diver Distinctive Specialty Course Instructor Guides (Product No. 70245) is now available for purchase in Asia Pacific.

ScubaEarth® Extras Now Available Log in to ScubaEarth today to access the NEW ScubaEarth Extras! For PADI Professionals this now includes free access to all your PADI eCards. Live the Diving Dream Contest (Asia Pacific) – a great success for PADI Divemasters! PADI’s Live the Diving Dream contest was held from the month of July 2013 to 31st December 2013, awarding monthly prizes of an Apple iPad to six new PADI Divemasters in the Asia Pacific territory. Take advantage of Official PADI Diving Society Patron Benefits As a current PADI Retail and Resort Member, you have the opportunity to reach 180,000 diving enthusiasts worldwide. Participation is free! Are you taking advantage of your benefits?

Have you Considered Participating in Dive Shows? An event like a well-attended dive show brings about countless opportunities to tap on the local diving and non-diving community. Here are several dive shows taking place around us during March and April this year, creating a platform for you to network and build up your contacts. (Read more) Qualifying Certification Verification As you are aware, continuing education courses list PADI, TecRec or EFR prerequisite certifications. Attention all PADI Course Directors and IDC Staff Instructors - 2014 Instructor Development Updates PADI Asia Pacific recently announced dates for the annual Instructor Development Updates to be held throughout the region.

A Day in the Life of a Divemaster An interview with Leyshack Sánchez Fernández, PADI Divemaster at Scuba Junkie in Sabah, Malaysia.

Target your Customers with the EVE Agent When customers sign up for your PADI Open Water Diver programs, what happens next?

Beware of Dangerous Downcurrents

By John Lippmann, Founder, Chairman & Director of Research, DAN Asia-Pacific 10 Tips for Divers to Protect the Ocean Planet: Tip #1 What’s Tip # about? Be a Buoyancy Expert Take on a healthy challenge for 2014! Finathon Fever Begins. Can you swim 1km to protect sharks? It’s a great team builder for your staff and lots of fun too. Regional News Read about the recent news from around the Asia Pacific region and see the latest PADI Instructor Examinations.

The PADI National Geographic Dive Centre and Resort Program is Ending

This is a reminder that the licensing agreement between the PADI organisation and the National Geographic Society expired on 31 December 2013. This is a reminder that the licensing agreement between the PADI organisation and the National Geographic Society expired on 31 December 2013. However, there is a sell-off period for PADI National Geographic Dive Centres and Resorts to sell through their inventory and continue issuing new National Geographic Diver certifications through 14 March 2014.

As of 15 March 2014, all PADI National Geographic Dive Centres and Resorts must stop selling National Geographic products and cease using the National Geographic Society trademarks. This includes having removed National Geographic Society trademarks from websites, signs, displays, brochures, etc.

A special note about Replacement Cards National Geographic replacement cards with the National Geographic Society logo will be available to student divers at padi.com through 14 March 2014. Thereafter, National Geographic replacement card requests will automatically default to standard PADI replacement cards. Cards will have the PADI logo on the back but will still carry the National Geographic name as it appears in the title of the certification.

For more information about the planned discontinuation of the National Geographic Society program, please contact your PADI Regional Manager.

Timeline at a Glance:

14 March 2014

Last day to issue new National Geographic Society certifications. Please note that National Geographic replacement cards will still be available to PADI divers at padi.com

14 March 2014

Last day to market your business as a National Geographic Dive Centre or Resort

15 March 2014

As of this date, all PADI National Geographic Dive Centres and Resorts must stop selling National Geographic products and cease using the National Geographic Society trademarks. This includes having removed National Geographic Society trademarks from websites, signs, displays, brochures, etc.

PADI Business Academy revolutionizes the Dive Industry

PADI Business Academy powers up again in Asia Pacific to revolutionize the Dive Industry. Follow up results from PADI Members in Asia Pacific revealed that the group of 108 PADI Retailers and Resorts who completed the PADI Business Academy in 2013, enjoyed an average increase of 13.6% in diving certifications compared with 2012, highlighting the tangible benefits that PADI Business Academies provide for PADI Dive Centres and Resorts.

PADI Business Academy is a hands-on workshop where you’ll explore the latest, modern-day, business techniques and walk away from the two-day program armed with tools to implement strategies most valuable to your business.

PADI Asia Pacific is looking forward to working closely with PADI Dive Centres/ Resorts through a follow up eMarketing Consultation after a Business Academy completion, ensuring you get maximum success from the program.

PADI will present the latest updates from the following topics:

Is Your Website Working For You?

Blogging

Facebook

You Tube

Google+

Instagram

Email marketing

ScubaEarth

eLearning

Marketing to Chinese speaking customers

To ensure a custom-tailored learning environment, the number of attendees is limited, so that Business Academy staff can really focus on you. So don’t delay - contact your PADI Regional Manager or complete the attached (link to Registration form) form to enrol in a PADI Business Academy program and prepare to transform your business for success in 2014.

If you have not yet attended a Business Academy, we strongly encourage you to not miss out and sign up for a Business Academy today.

Six two-day Business Academy programs are scheduled across Asia Pacific for 2014. Check out the dates and locations and get ready to power up your business!

2014 Calendar - Business Academy in Asia Pacific

City Dates Venue

Manila, Philippines 14th – 15th May Intercontinental, Manila

Bangkok, Thailand 20th - 21st May Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park

Bali, Indonesia 3rd - 4th June Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel

Sydney, NSW, Australia 17th – 18th June Rydges, Sydney Airport

Auckland, New Zealand 23rd – 24th June Holiday Inn Auckland

Melbourne, VIC, Australia 6th – 7th August Hemisphere Conference Centre and Hotel

New PADI Free Diver Distinctive Specialty Course Instructor Guides Available

New PADI Free Diver Distinctive Specialty Course Instructor Guides (Product No. 70245) is now available for purchase in Asia Pacific.

PADI Instructors with suitable experience can offer training in this field by applying to become a PADI Free Diver Distinctive Specialty Instructor by using method 2 on the Specialty Instructor Application. Instructor Prerequisites are:

Be a Teaching Status PADI OWSI

Have proof of experience in free diving The course has two parts – PADI Discover Free Diving and PADI Free Diver. Discover Free Diving is an experience program and does not result in a certification – unlike the PADI Free Diver Specialty Course – where once the student has demonstrated and met all performance requirements they are certified as a PADI Free Diver. No Student Material is required – you only have to submit a completed, signed PIC (envelope or online). Order today to start teaching this new and exciting program.

For more information and to order - contact PADI Sales Department (tel + 61 2 9454 2888) or order anytime from the online shopping cart.

ScubaEarth Extras No available

ScubaEarth is proud to announce the launch of ScubaEarth Extras. As PADI Members these new

features are now available to you and include:

Unlimited PADI eCard Access

As an added benefit for PADI Professionals, ScubaEarth Extras now allows you to display all your

PADI Certifications via the PADI App. If you already have existing PADI eCards simply update your

App and sign back in to have all your PADI eCards display.

Critter Finder

In addition to detailed information on a huge range of marine species, you can now see a range of

tagged photos and find out where to spot your favorite critters! The Critter Finder is a great tool to

attract more business. Have your staff tag any critters spotted on their dives, or captured in their

dive photos or videos. This will ensure that when ScubaEarth users are searching for a particular

animal in Critter Finder, your tagged images, videos and dives appear, allowing users to identify that

when diving with your dive shop they are likely to spot their favorite animals. This might encourage

them to join your ScubaEarth Dive Crew and even join your shop for a dive.

Personalised Dive Dashboard Manage your favorite ScubaEarth components, like dive sites, dive buddies, marine species and

featured destinations, with these interactive slates. It is now easier and quicker to track the diving

activity at your local dive site. Keen to try and spot some dolphins? Then track these using the

marine species slate and you can find out where they were last spotted. Customise the interactive

slates by simply dropping and dragging them to your liking.

Live the Diving Dream Contest (Asia Pacific) – a great success for PADI Divemasters! PADI’s Live the Diving Dream contest was held from the month of July 2013 to 31st December 2013, awarding monthly prizes of an Apple iPad to six new PADI Divemasters in the Asia Pacific territory.

The six winners in the contest were Phil Voss from Singapore, Ellie Davidson from Exmouth, Western Australia, Oliver Furlow from Thailand, Felix Daun from Singapore, Tyson White from Merewether Heights, NSW and Soung Nam Cha from Republic of Korea.

On completion of their PADI Divemaster course during the competition period, contestants were required to tell us what they enjoyed about the course to gain a chance to win a prize.

Here’s what a few of the winners had to say on becoming a PADI Divemaster:

“Meeting new people who are interested in the same activity as you and to see how they get fascinated by the same things as yourself - is the greatest feeling about being a PADI Divemaster.” Felix Daun

“I knew this course would improve my diving knowledge, but I must say I didn't think I would be at the level I am now. Going further, my new goal is to complete the PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor course soon, something I didn’t think I could do before.” Tyson White

“It was a hard course, but at the same time I realised that scuba diving is very much a fun sport, especially when we share it with many people. During the PADI Divemaster course, I learnt professionalism, responsibility and leadership and most of all - that it’s a lifestyle! Soung Nam Cha

A big ‘Thank You’ to all the PADI Divemasters who entered the Live the Diving Dream Contest and congratulations to our six winners - we hope you spend many hours of enjoyment with your Apple iPad!

Take advantage of Official PADI Diving Society Patron Benefits

As a current PADI Retail and Resort Member, you have the opportunity to reach 180,000 diving enthusiasts worldwide. Participation is free! Are you taking advantage of your benefits? It’s Easy to get your free listing and manage your online Benefits now:

1. Society members can easily search by location for special offers from PADI Dive Centres and Resorts. If you have your logo ready, it takes less than 5 mins to get your free listing on the Member Benefits Webform

2. You can offer multiple benefits and change them throughout the year.

3. You have a dedicated benefits page with a unique link so you can link directly to your Society benefits from your website.

4. Your benefits page has a direct link back to your website and displays your logo.

5. Society members can easily print your benefit or special offer, which also puts contact information for your store right in their hands.

6. Your benefit will be listed in the official PADI Diving Society Online Member Benefits section and on the destination pages of sportdiver.com/destinations, giving you access to even more potential customers.

Those are six great reasons to sponsor a PADI Diving Society Benefit. Looking for another one? It’s free!

Remember, more consumers are turning to their computers, tablets and mobile devices when they want to find local businesses and search for great deals. That means more divers are going online to connect with their local PADI Dive Centres and Resorts. Stay connected and get online – sponsor a Society benefit today.

To sponsor your complimentary benefit(s)*, visit the PADI Diving Society Member Benefits Webform. You can enter a benefit to start today and set one up to start in 2014.

For questions regarding PADI Diving Society, contact Kate Humphreys, at +61 (02) 9454 2924.

* Each benefit(s) must have at least $75 US retail value for inclusion in the Society 2012 digital benefit offerings.

Have you Considered Participating in Dive Shows?

An event like a well-attended dive show brings about countless opportunities to tap on the local diving and non-diving community. Here are several dive shows taking place around us during March and April this year, creating a platform for you to network and build up your contacts.

Deep & Extreme Indonesia 27 – 30 March 2014 The largest annual diving, adventure travel and water sports exhibition in Indonesia is back this year with Deep and Extreme Indonesia 2014 being staged again on 27 to 30 March at a NEW VENUE at Jakarta International Expo, Kemayoran-Jakarta.

PADI will be participating in the show on booth D6, to secure your prime position, contact the organiser here

In this 8th edition, the event is targeting a total of 20,000 visitors during the four-day show.

More information available at: www.deepandextremeindonesia.com/2013

DRT Shanghai 28 – 30 March 2014 If you are further interested in tapping on to the Chinese market, the same DRT organisers have scheduled the second DRT Shanghai show from 28 – 30 March 2014. To secure a prime location near the PADI booth at the DRT Shanghai show next year, please contact DRT Shanghai organisers now.

For more information on DRT shows, visit the website.

ADEX Singapore 11 – 13 April 2014

The longest running international dive show, ADEX, is staging itself again at the Marina Bay Sands Expo, Singapore, from 11 – 13 April. PADI will be participating in a primt position at the front entrance of the show, driving ADEX visitors and divers to visit a PADI Dive Centre / Resort at ADEX. For a current ADEX floorplan, click here

Participation in any 2014 dive show qualifies you for the PADI Expo Scheme – available to current PADI Five Star Retail & Resort Members, once per calendar year. To find out more, please contact Marketing.

Qualifying Certification Verification As you are aware, continuing education courses list PADI, TecRec or EFR prerequisite certifications. Unless otherwise specified, you may accept divers with certifications through other training organisations into a PADI course using this general guideline, and after and after conducting a knowledge and skill pre-assessment. The PADI Instructor Manual lists the following qualifying certification description:

1. PADI Scuba Diver — proof of an entry-level scuba certification with a minimum of two open water training dives.

2. PADI Open Water Diver — proof of an entry-level scuba certification with a minimum of four open water training dives.

3. PADI Adventure Diver — proof of certification beyond entry-level (at least two certifications total).

4. PADI Advanced Open Water Diver — proof of certification beyond entry-level (at least two certifications total); proof of 20 or more logged dives; documented experience in deep diving and underwater navigation.

5. PADI Rescue Diver — proof of certification in diving rescue. 6. EFR Primary Care — proof of current CPR training. 7. EFR Secondary Care — proof of current first aid training.

Here are some helpful other guidelines:

1. Check if the certification meets the description in the PADI Instructor Manual, General Standards & Procedures, Prerequisite Certifications.

2. Take a copy of the certification and add to the student record file. If the above description asks for a minimum number of dives, also keep copies of the log book pages as required.

3. Conduct knowledge and skill pre-assessment and remediate as necessary. This may include Assessing Open Water Dive Readiness (see PADI Instructor Manual, General Standards & Procedures, Training Standards) or a full Scuba Review program depending on the diver’s abilities. Please use sound judgement to determine what level of pre-assessment is needed for the individual diver.

4. Enrol the diver in the next higher level in the PADI System. Please note that for a diver wishing to earn a PADI certification, that diver needs to complete a PADI course. A simple exchange of certifications is not possible. For the professional level courses such as PADI Divemaster and PAD Instructor Development Course (IDC) please make sure you verify and document this at the start of the course (this will avoid unnecessary delays later on) and remember to attach a copy of all the underlying certifications (not only highest certification) to the relevant application form. If you have any questions or would like to verify a qualifying certification when unsure, please contact the PADI Training Department at traindep@padi.com.au. Attention all PADI Course Directors and IDC Staff Instructors - 2014 Instructor Development Updates

PADI Asia Pacific recently announced dates for the annual Instructor Development Updates to be held throughout the region.

The 2014 Instructor Development Update focuses on the Revised Open Water Diver Course due to be released in multiple languages in mid-2014. During the Instructor Development Update you will receive new materials, discuss the new skills and evaluate teaching presentations.

Evaluation Training Sessions will provide opportunity to work and share ideas and insights with PADI Examiners as you evaluate Knowledge Development and Confined Water Teaching Presentations. Evaluation training will be conducted in both classroom and confined water sessions. Tanks and weights will be provided.

PAP Instructor Development Updates will also features;

Leveraging Social Media for Instructor Development.

Tips and Suggestions for PADI Course Directors and IDC Staff Instructors.

Venues include:

Sydney April 8th.

Koh Tao April 25th.

Phuket April 28th.

Taipei May 3rd

Bali May 19th

Auckland May 26th

Kuala Lumpur June 4th

Manila June 14th

Cairns June 16th

Perth June 30th

Seoul June 30th

To register click ID Update Registration_PADI Prosite

A Day in the Life of a Divemaster

An interview with Leyshack Sánchez Fernández PADI Divemaster Scuba Junkie PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Resort - 100% AWARE Partner Sabah, Malaysia

Describe a typical day in your working life as a PADI Divemaster. 7:00am at Mabul Island. My dive computer's alarm beeps and I jump out of my bed in the Scuba Junkie Mabul Beach Resort. Time to get ready, have some breakfast, go to the jetty and help organise dive gear, tanks and other equipment ready for another day of my internship. While I wait for the boats coming from Semporna, I talk to my colleagues. We all share the same world, we make common jokes and enjoy the sunny weather together. No stress, no cars, no shopping malls. Just us and the sea. Some days I am with certified divers, others I am assisting PADI Instructors to prepare for the PADI Instructor Development Course with Scuba Junkie later this month. Every day there is something fascinating going on. The dive boats arrive and it’s time for diving! The day passes by so fast that we cannot believe it. At 3:30pm our 3 dives are finished and after cleaning the equipment, it’s time to help our divers fill in their log books before heading back to the resort for a nice relaxing shower!

When and where did you start diving? A friend and I decided to go to Semporna in September 2011 to try diving with Scuba Junkie. We arrived one sunny morning at magnificent Mabul Island and we could not believe the beauty around us: the transparent waters full of colorful fish and stunning corals. Jason, our PADI Instructor made it an incredible Discover Scuba Diving experience. We both fell in love with the sea instantly!

When and where did you become a PADI Divemaster? My contract was coming to an end at the National University of Malaysia, I wanted to change my life and do something that made me completely happy. The sea was the only place I wanted to be, so I decided to start a PADI Divemaster course on the 1st December 2013. Of course it had to be at Mabul, after all I had already completed all my other courses from PADI Open Water Diver to PADI

Rescue Diver with Scuba Junkie: there is no better place for me in Malaysia! This little island -and its people- keep on dragging me back. There is something magic here...

What made you choose to become a PADI Professional? I am a teacher, a professor, a lecturer... I have been teaching all my life many different things: languages, literature, martial arts... Teaching has always been a rewarding experience for me as well as learning new things, traveling and diving. But diving has something magical, something unique that always makes me feel happy, whole, part of Nature. Being a PADI Professional was just the natural step to take. And I have no regrets at all! Being able to show and witness the wonders of the underwater world is the best experience I ever had.

What highlights do you recall from your PADI Divemaster course? I can say that the PADI Divemaster course has been fascinating from day one. I consider the PADI Instructors at Scuba Junkie to be some of the best trained people, the most thorough teachers, and the most encouraging mentors. It is difficult for me to choose just one moment but I can say that doing the distinctive Reef Check Specialty as part of my Eco-DMT course was very rewarding and it was great to be part of the environmental projects of Scuba Junkie.

What dive locations are on your bucket list and why? I want to dive all over the world, I cannot help myself! But Philippines is coming soon as well as Mexico, the Red Sea and Galapagos... I have seen videos and photographs of these dive sites from other divers and instructors, from the Internet and some documentaries. I want to see those places with my own eyes, feel the sea on those latitudes. I am sure the list will keep on growing in time.

What has been the most memorable dive of your life? All dives have something special but some are outstanding. The night dive at the Liberty Wreck in Tulamben, Bali is still one my favorites as well as some muck dives at Secret Bay (also in Bali). Raja Ampat, West Papua has the best night dives in coral reefs I have ever done. Richelieu Rock in Thailand is the most lively dive site as the pinnacles are full of fish, corals and invertebrates. Incredible macro life in Awas (Mabul) and schooling devil rays at Siamil Island on the Sipadan Barrier Reef - The most memorable dive? I cannot make up my mind!

What words of advice and encouragement would you give to divers thinking of becoming a PADI Divemaster? Becoming a PADI Divemaster is an experience that you will never forget: it is full of fun, adventure and knowledge. That alone should make you go for it! You will improve your diving skills and you will gain in depth knowledge of the sea. Becoming a PADI Divemaster will make you part of a great community of professional divers who care about the environment and help to protect it. Just imagine yourself waking up every morning on a beautiful island to unravel the secrets of the sea... What’s next for me? My PADI Instructor course, naturally. And guess where? At Scuba Junkie!

Target your Customers with the EVE Agent

When customers sign up for your PADI Open Water Diver programs, what happens next? That might seem a silly question but take a moment to think about it. Ask yourself, what would an ideal scenario look like from your perspective for a diver going through their Open Water class with you? Would those customers:

Know all the dates, times and locations of their training

Know what to read and watch and when to do it

Buy, at the minimum, the personal items of dive equipment such as mask, fins, snorkel and boots

Become members of your dive club or the PADI Diving Society

Be booked on to your next dive trip the weekend after certification

Be signing up for the next PADI Advanced Open Water class you’re running

In short, would you like to see these customers welcomed fully into the world of diving, invited to become a real part of your store and encouraged to see diving as a genuine new lifestyle choice?

If so, then EVE can make that happen for you. Think of your natural points of contact with a customer for a moment and you’ll soon see the opportunities you have to make the right contact in the right way at the right time.

Thanks for booking

Your course starts next week

You should be watching this, reading that

Come in and get sized up for equipment

You’ve learned about the importance of having your own gear, so here’s the info on selecting it

Congratulations on completing the academics… we’re off to the pool

Pool dives completed… skills mastered…now for open water

Want to use your own computer on your open water dives next week? Here’s how…

Congratulations on becoming a PADI Open Water diver

Come to the next dive club meeting

Our next boat or local dive is coming up

Take your diving further on the next course

Your PADI certification card is here for you

Your 24-7 employee, the EVE Agent can do the leg work for you.

You can set the EVE Agent to send out emails or SMS text messages at every one of the action points above. The communication sent out should be a mix of logistics, information and marketing – “where you’re going to be, what you’re going to do, what equipment you’ll need to do it with and how this leads on to the next step.”

The EVE Agent finds those customers, at every step of their journey through their course with you – from booking, prior to the course, during the course and after the course – and can use your customised PADI email templates to deliver the appropriate scheduling, informational and promotional message.

Targeted, relevant messages to your divers… the right message at the right time to the right customers… let EVE work for you.

Start today and use EVE to help promote your services to your customers as they take their PADI Open Water course with you.

You can even try EVE out for 60 days because we’re confident that once you do, you’ll never want to let EVE go. Follow the link to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4ZkT30AiV0 (or enter “Introduction to EVE” in YouTube) and email info@issys.co.uk to get started today.

Beware of Dangerous Downcurrents By John Lippmann, Founder, Chairman & Director of Research, DAN Asia-Pacific

Currents that present the greatest risk to divers run downwards or upwards and are often caused when a horizontal current hits an underwater “wall”. Dangerously, divers can be unexpectedly dragged to depth and risk running out of breathing gas and/or having very rapid ascents when released by the currents. Knowledge and skills to prevent or minimise the problem are vital for all divers, given the number of divers who travel to destinations of which they have little local knowledge and supervision, if available, may be of a variable standard. It was interesting to read a while ago that the local police had temporarily banned diving at Crystal Bay, Nusa Penida in Bali. This was to investigate why so many diving-related deaths had been occurring there. It is a popular diving site due to the periodic presence of Sunfish (Mola Mola).

However, there are some serious potential hazards there for divers, especially inexperienced and/or unwary divers. The area is subject to very strong currents, including substantial downcurrents which can suddenly force a diver to descend far deeper than planned - and quickly. The Sunfish are often already quite deep so this has caused numerous accidents, including multiple deaths and severe cases of decompression illness. Divers can be unexpectedly dragged to depth and run out of breathing gas and/or have very rapid ascents when released by the currents. Such downcurrents occur regularly in a variety of sites around the world, but the majority of reports DAN AP has received over the past few years has been from Indonesia; predominantly Nusa Penida, the Komodo area, Raja Ampat and Bunaken. These have become popular destinations for divers due to the rich and diverse marine life. However, unfortunately the safety standards and preparedness of dive operators varies greatly and unsuspecting divers sometimes find themselves in perilous situations. Most currents run horizontally across the earth’s surface. Divers can, and do, occasionally get stranded and sometimes lost at sea as a result of these. However, the currents that present the greatest risk to divers run downwards or upwards and are often caused when a horizontal current hits an underwater “wall” and is then forced to flow downwards, or upwards. The strength of the current will vary with the tide and conditions. There is often no obvious sign of the presence of such a current, although there can sometimes be a rippling and/or swirling on the surface in the area. Therefore, local knowledge is very important and experienced local divers are usually a good source of information. To Prevent or Minimise the Problem: • If diving independently, get good local knowledge about the planned dive site. • If diving with an operator, choose them carefully. • Ask specific questions about prevailing currents as well as other potential hazards. • Be aware of your location throughout the dive. • If close to a wall when caught in an up-current or down-current, try to grab or hook onto the wall to avoid being swept away. • If unable to get a hold on the wall, swim away from it as the current should lessen further away. • If you are being dragged down:

- keep calm - equalise your ears as necessary - inflate your BCD - swim up & away from the wall - if you have no visual reference, watch your bubbles for orientation (although this can sometimes be misleading in a strong downcurrent). - monitor your breathing gas

• If you are being dragged upwards: - keep calm - swim down & away from the wall - deflate your BCD - exhale appropriately and then continue to breathe as appropriate - spread your arms and legs to slow the ascent.

Diving in currents can be very rewarding due to the rich marine life often associated with them and the wide territory than can sometimes be covered with little effort. However, adequate preparedness is essential to maximise enjoyment and safety.

Safe Diving, John Lippmann Divers Alert Network Asia-Pacific

10 Tips for Divers to Protect the Ocean Planet: Tip #1

What’s Tip # about? Be a Buoyancy Expert

In the January issue of Surface Interval, Project AWARE unveiled its shiny, newly updated ethic for divers – 10 Tips for Divers to Protect the Ocean Planet – which helps novice and experienced divers alike enjoy the adventure while protecting the dive sites they love most. What’s Tip #1 about? Buoyancy of course.

#1: Be a Buoyancy Expert

Sure, you look like a professional when your dive and photo gear is all streamlined. You’re gliding effortlessly through the water perfectly neutral and in control. And you do look sharp when hovering horizontal like you were born to dive. When you’re a buoyancy master, you’re using less air and less energy so you can enjoy your underwater visit just a little bit longer. But the real reason Project AWARE wants you to become a buoyancy ninja is to help protect fragile underwater animals and environments for the future.

The creatures we love to visit are more fragile than we think. Even one thump from your fin or slight brush of a hand can destroy decades of coral growth or cause harm to a plant or animal. Proper buoyancy control every time you dive helps us leave no trace behind.

For a catchy tune and fun reminder – I like to listen to the wildly popular YouTube sensation “The Coral Song” by KidsTV123. The song is fun, happy and colorful. But it’s not just for kids. “Would you step on a cat? No you wouldn’t do that. Would you step on a dog? No, that would be wrong. So please… don’t step on me. I’m coral… I live in the deep blue sea…” You get the idea. Check it out and share it with your dive buddies. You can all sing it together on your next dive trip.

But whatever you do, be sure to teach your students to become buoyancy experts. Visit projectaware.org to download and share the full version of the new 10 Tips for Divers to Protect the Ocean Planet. Thanks for doing your part to protect the ocean planet every time you dive.

*Reference: The Coral Song found here https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Cusz66JZXkA#t=108

Take on a healthy challenge for 2014! Finathon Fever Begins

Can you swim 1km to protect sharks? It’s a great team builder for your staff and lots of fun too.

Scuba divers jumped into 2014 with a splash taking on a fun and healthy Finathon challenge. It’s the perfect incentive to get fit, feel good and raise funds for your favourite ocean icon – the shark.

Thalassa Dive Resort in Indonesia organised a 12 hour Finathon at night! From 6pm to 6am teams of six swam for 30 minutes each. The local students from the senior high school are already looking forward to the next event!

In 2013 Project AWARE launched the global Finathon, and scuba divers clocked up over 800km swimming to end finning. Thanks to all our Finathon Champs around the world – how far we swim in 2014 is up to you! Last year Master Divers swam a 23km relay around Koh Tao and have already signed up for their next Finathon challenge.

From fancy dress to wacky races or simply swim a mile with a smile. Read about your fellow Finathon swimmers to get inspired and see what they did to make their event a success. www.finathon.org

Regional News PADI Public Safety Diver Workshop

PADI Americas and PADI Asia Pacific conducted a PADI Public Safety Diver Basic Essentials Workshops in Hong Kong from 13 -19th January, 2014 - the first PADI Public Safety Diver series of courses to take place in Asia. Presenting the courses - for divers new to Public Safety Diving as well as those wishing to refresh or update their basic public safety skills - was PADI Master Instructor Mike Berry, founder and owner of Underwater Criminal Investigators (UCI). Mike is the Operations Coordinator for the Virginia State Police Search and Recovery Team (SRT) and has over 25 years experience in public safety diving and law enforcement. Assisting Mike Berry with the PADI Public Safety Diver workshop in Hong Kong were Dr. Leo Chan, from City University of Hong Kong, PADI Instructor Max Leung, also from City University of Hong Kong and PADI Course Director, Eric Lou. The logistical support for this event was provided by PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre/Career Development Centre, Diving Adventure Ltd in Hong Kong. 15 PADI Professionals, nine of which were PADI Course Directors, attended the Hong Kong workshop which consisted of 3 components:

1. PADI Public Safety Diver Course (PSD) familiarised the participants with the skills, knowledge, planning, organization, procedures, techniques and the hazards of public safety diving.

2. PADI Distinctive Specialty Underwater Criminal Investigators Course (UCI) consists of 32 hours intensive, hands-on training. This course provided the divers with knowledge, skills and abilities needed to succeed as a professional underwater criminal investigator.

3. PADI Public Safety Diver Specialty Instructor Course explained to participants how to organize, promote and conduct the PADI Public Safety Diver Course.

PADI Asia Pacific is planning to conduct two more PSD Workshops in Taiwan and China later in 2014. For further information please contact Roger Sun, Director of PADI Asia Pacific’s China office via email roger.sun@padi.com.au

PHOTO CAPTIONS: 15 PADI Professionals attended the PADI Public Safety Diver Basic Essential Workshop in Hong Kong presented by PADI Master Instructor, Mike Berry (centre) founder and owner of U.C.I. 6 New PADI Public Safety Diver Instructors completed the PADI Public Safety Diver Specialty Instructor Course in Hong Kong, pictured with Mike Berry.

PADI Rescue Diver Workshop in Cairns

PADI Asia Pacific conducted a Rescue Diver Workshop in Cairns on 7th December 2013 –presented by Brigit Jager (PADI Asia Pacific Educational Consultant). The workshop was specifically held for PADI Professionals, to provide the latest techniques when demonstrating rescue diver skills to their students.

PADI Rescue Diver Workshops were also held in The Philippines, South Korea and Thailand in 2013.

The six PADI Professionals who attended the Cairns workshop were:

From left to right: Katsumi Kaneyuki – PADI Course Director, Paul Crocombe – PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, Tim Ramseyer – PADI Master Instructor, with Darren Forster, Russell Hosp and Michelle Barry who are also PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainers.

PADI Instructor Examinations 06-08 December – Phuket, Thailand 10-12 December – Koh Tao, Thailand 17-18 December – Nha Trang, Vietnam 20-21 December – Phu Quoc, Vietnam 15-16 January – Koh Lanta, Thailand 17-19 January – Phuket, Thailand 21-23 January – Koh Tao, Thailand 27-29 January – Pattaya, Thailand 31 Jan – 02 Feb – Bali Indonesia