Protect your Environment

Developing your environmental sustainability plan
by Francois Burman, Pr.Eng., M.Sc.
Photos By Stephen Frink
Damage to the dive environment threatens the life within it and diminishes the attraction of the site for divers. Preserving the ecological structure of the dive environment requires active participation by all who dive in our waters — and it is our collective responsibility for our planet.
Dive businesses, professionals, divers and the broader dive community should be aware of the harm their activities could cause. Pollution, damage, invasion by nonendemic life-forms, removal of protected species, trampling, and removal of artifacts reduce the attractiveness of the dive location. Bleached reefs, water with reduced visibility, pollution, litter and empty wrecks can destroy the entire dive-tourism economy in the area.
It is not the sole responsibility of environmental protection agencies and local marine parks to set regulations and ensure compliance. Policing alone does not preserve the environment.
The process of protection and reducing harm starts with the dive operator, who should be committed to setting the requirements for their activities. Staff need to be aware, trained, encouraged and monitored: They need to be “greened” so they in turn can serve as role models for their clients.
Promoting environmental education, providing interventions and corrections when rules are broken, participating in cleanup activities, supporting local authorities and ecoinitiatives, and creating a general awareness go a long way to protecting both the surface and underwater environments.
There are a few simple steps to consider in the management and prevention of further harm to the environment. These considerations apply to everyone who is engaged in or benefits from diving, including hotel and restaurant owners, service and sales centers, dive operators and professionals, and all visitors to the area.
We collectively need to engage in ecological preservation if we want to maintain our dive sites and leave them for others to enjoy in the future. Education, awareness and participation are key elements that don’t require us to reach beyond our capabilities. Let’s keep our planet blue.
- ALERT DIVER magazine Summer 2019
by Francois Burman, Pr.Eng., M.Sc.
Photos By Stephen Frink
Damage to the dive environment threatens the life within it and diminishes the attraction of the site for divers. Preserving the ecological structure of the dive environment requires active participation by all who dive in our waters — and it is our collective responsibility for our planet.
Dive businesses, professionals, divers and the broader dive community should be aware of the harm their activities could cause. Pollution, damage, invasion by nonendemic life-forms, removal of protected species, trampling, and removal of artifacts reduce the attractiveness of the dive location. Bleached reefs, water with reduced visibility, pollution, litter and empty wrecks can destroy the entire dive-tourism economy in the area.
It is not the sole responsibility of environmental protection agencies and local marine parks to set regulations and ensure compliance. Policing alone does not preserve the environment.
The process of protection and reducing harm starts with the dive operator, who should be committed to setting the requirements for their activities. Staff need to be aware, trained, encouraged and monitored: They need to be “greened” so they in turn can serve as role models for their clients.
Promoting environmental education, providing interventions and corrections when rules are broken, participating in cleanup activities, supporting local authorities and ecoinitiatives, and creating a general awareness go a long way to protecting both the surface and underwater environments.
There are a few simple steps to consider in the management and prevention of further harm to the environment. These considerations apply to everyone who is engaged in or benefits from diving, including hotel and restaurant owners, service and sales centers, dive operators and professionals, and all visitors to the area.
- Properly manage, collect and dispose of the following:
- compressor waste fluids, oils and used filter cartridges
- condensate from compressor separators
- oils and fuels in boat bilges
- lubricants and engine exhaust waste products
- workshop and cleaning waste products
- general product- and food-related waste
- Use biodegradable and ecofriendly cleaning agents.
- Discourage the use of single-use plastic materials.
- Recycle, and encourage others to do so.
- Control sewage and wastewater outlets.
- Utilize renewable energy sources.
- Take action to protect and preserve flora and fauna around dive shops and dive sites.
- Refrain from displaying marine life and other artifacts collected from the sea.
- Avoid touching, disturbing or making accidental contact with corals or sensitive underwater plant species.
- Prohibit the removal of artifacts, creatures, shells or other items belonging to nature.
- Encourage the use of long-sleeved tops and hats to protect skin from excessive exposure to the sun. If sunscreen products need to be used, educate staff and visitors to ensure the use of ecofriendly (nonoxybenzone and nonoctinoxate) sunscreen products.
- Encourage divers to eat sustainable seafood.
- Actively participate in beach, underwater and ecologically sensitive area cleanups.
We collectively need to engage in ecological preservation if we want to maintain our dive sites and leave them for others to enjoy in the future. Education, awareness and participation are key elements that don’t require us to reach beyond our capabilities. Let’s keep our planet blue.
- ALERT DIVER magazine Summer 2019
Categories
2019
February
April
May
DAN Press ReleaseYour Dive Computer: Tips and tricks - PART 1Your Dive Computer: Tips and tricks - PART 2Aural HygieneDCS AheadHow Divers Can Help with coral conservationRed Tide and shellfish poisoningDiving after Kidney DonationDiving with hypertrophic cardiomyopathyEmergency Underwater Oxygen Recompression
June
July
September
October
November
Exercise drills with DowelsHeart-rate TrainingCultivating ConservationTRavel Smarter : Evaluating an unfamiliar Dive operatorChallenging the Frontiers of Decompression ResearchTravel Smarter: Plan for Medical EmergenciesWhen should I call my Doctor?DAN Student Medical Expense CoverageAdvice, Support and a LifelineWetsuits and heat stressDiving after Chiropractic adjustments
2018
April
Flying after pool diving FAQLung squeeze while freediving FAQDiving after Bariatric surgery FAQMarine injuries FAQVasovagal Syncope unpredictable FAQIncident report procedure FAQDiving after knee surgery FAQDiving when in RemissionDive with orbital Implant FAQInert gas washout FAQOxygen ears FAQPost Decompression sicknessChildren and diving. The real concerns.Diving after SurgeryPhysiology of Decompresssion sickness FAQDiving and regular exerciseGordon Hiles - I am an Underwater Cameraman and Film MakerScuba Air QualityBreath-hold diving. Part 3: The Science Bit!Compensation Legislation and the Recreational DiverCape Town DivingFive pro tips for capturing better images in cold waterThe Boat Left Without You: Now What?
May
When things go wrongEmergency Planning: Why Do We Need It?Breath-hold diving: Running on reserve -Part 5 Learning to RebreatheSweet Dreams: When Can I Resume Diving Post Anaesthesia?Investing in the future of reefsTo lie or not to lie?THE STORY OF A RASH AFTER A DIVEFirst Aid KitsTaravana: Fact or Falacy?
June
Oxygen Unit MaintenanceKnow Your Oxygen-Delivery Masks 1Know Your Oxygen-Delivery Masks 2Emergency Oxygen unitsInjuries due to exposure - HypothermiaInjuries due to exposure - Altitude sicknessInjuries due to Exposure - Dehydration and other concernsHow to plan for your dive tripThe Future of Dive MedicinePlastic is Killing our ocean
September
Return to DivingDiagnoses: Pulmonary blebSide effects of Rectogesic ointmentDiving with ChemotherapyReplacing dive computers and BCDsCustomize Your First-Aid KitPlan for medical emergenciesHow the dive Reflex protects the brain and heartDry suits and skin BendsAltitude sickness and DCSScuba Diving and Life Expectancy
2017
March
April
Incident Insight: TriageA Field Guide to Minor MishapsSnorkels: Pros & ConsTime & RecoveryMedication & Drug UseDiving with CancerNitrox FAQCOPD FAQHyperbaric Chamber FAQJet Lag FAQHydration FAQAnticoagulant Medication FAQFluid in the Ear FAQEye Surgery FAQElderly Divers FAQNitrogen FAQHealth Concerns FAQMotion Sickness FAQMicronuclei FAQ
June
August
2016
February
March
Breath-Hold Diving & ScubaReturn to Diving After DCITiming Exercise & DivingHot Tubs After DivingSubcutaneous EmphysemaIn-Water RecompressionDiving at AltitudeFlying After DivingDiving After FlyingThe Risks of Diabetes & DivingFlu-like Symptoms Following a DiveHand & Foot EdemaFrontal HeadachesBladder DiscomfortLatex AllergiesRemember to BreatheProper Position for Emergency CareAches & PainsCell Phones While DrivingSurfers Ear Ear Ventilation TubesDealing with Ear ProblemsDiving with Existing Ear InjuriesPerforated Ear DrumENT SurgeryUnpluggedCochlear ImplantsPortuguese Man-of-WarJellyfish StingsLionfish, Scorpionfish & Stonefish EnvenomationsStingray Envenomation Coral Cuts, Scrapes and RashesSpeeding & Driving Behaviour
June
Newsflash! Low Pressure Hose DeteriorationItching & rash go away & come back!7 Things we did not know about the oceanMigraine HeadacheAttention Deficit Disorder Cerebral Vascular AccidentEpilepsyCerebral PalsyHistory of SeizuresMultiple Sclerosis Head TraumaBreast Cancer & Fitness to Dive IssuesLocal Allergic ReactionsSea LiceHow ocean pollution affects humans Dive Fatality & Lobster Mini-Season StatisticsPregnancy & DivingReturn to Diving After Giving BirthBreast Implants & DivingMenstruation During Diving ActivitiesOral Birth ControlBreast FeedingPremenstrual SyndromeOsteoporosisThe Aftermath of Diving IncidentsCompensation Legislation & the Recreational DiverNoise-Induced Hearing LossLegal MattersThe Nature of Liability & DivingDAN Legal NetworkWaivers, Children & Solo DivingHealthy, but overweight!Taking Medication while Scuba DivingGetting Fit for the Dive SeasonBone Considerations in Young DiversAsthma and Scuba DivingHepatitisDiving with HyperglycemiaShoulder PainDiving After Spinal Back Surgery
August
Hazard Identification & Risk AssessmentCaring For Your People Caring For Your FacilitiesCaring For Your BusinessScuba Air Quality Part 1Scuba Air Quality Part 2Chamber Maintenance Part 1Chamber Maintenance Part 2The Aging Diver Propeller SafetyRelease The PressureDon't Get LostMore Water, Less Bubbles13 Ways to Run Out of Air & How Not To7 Mistakes Divers Make & How To Avoid ThemSafety Is In The AirHow Good Is Your Emergency Plan
2015
January
March