PADI Dive Against Debris: How Underwater Surveys Work

More Than an Underwater Clean-Up

PADI Dive Against Debris is a PADI AWARE Foundation citizen-science program. Participating divers safely collect marine debris from the seafloor, identify and record what they find, and submit the survey through the PADI AWARE Conservation Action Portal.

The immediate benefit is a cleaner dive site. The longer-term value comes from consistent information about the types, quantities and locations of underwater rubbish. That evidence can help researchers, conservation organisations and policymakers understand where debris accumulates and how the problem changes over time.

How a Dive Against Debris Survey Works

A useful survey begins before entering the water and continues after the dive. Follow the current PADI AWARE survey guide and the instructions of the dive leader.

1. Plan the survey. Choose a suitable site, review conditions, agree on the dive profile and confirm local rules, equipment and team responsibilities.
2. Search and collect safely. Maintain good buoyancy and remove only debris that can be handled without putting divers, wildlife or habitat at risk.
3. Sort, count and weigh. Separate the collected items into the categories required by the current survey process and record the amount found.
4. Record the dive details. Note the location, survey area, dive time, depth and other information requested by PADI AWARE.
5. Dispose of the debris responsibly. Recycle where appropriate and follow local requirements for anything sharp, hazardous or difficult to dispose of.
6. Submit one survey. The dive leader submits the team’s results through the PADI AWARE Conservation Action Portal or current PADI AWARE app.

Safety and the Environment Come First

Finding rubbish does not automatically mean it should be removed. The dive must remain within each diver’s training, experience and comfort, and collection must not create a greater hazard than leaving an item in place.

• Do not sacrifice buoyancy, gas awareness, buddy contact or the planned dive profile to retrieve debris.
• Less-experienced divers can help by locating debris while a suitably skilled diver handles the removal.
• Leave hazardous, excessively heavy or unstable objects in place and report them to the appropriate authority or site manager.
• Check whether an object has become habitat before moving it, and never pull debris free if doing so could injure an animal or damage the reef.
• Use a lift bag only if you are trained to use one and the recovery is appropriate for the site and conditions.
• Follow marine-park, protected-area and local waste-disposal rules.

What Counts as Dive Against Debris Data?

The program records debris found underwater on the seafloor or on the bottom of lakes, rivers and quarries. Beach and land clean-ups are valuable, but their rubbish should not be submitted as Dive Against Debris survey data.

A clean site is worth reporting too. Recording zero debris establishes a baseline and can help show whether conditions change during future surveys.

Does Every Survey Require a Course?

No. PADI AWARE states that every suitable dive can become a survey dive when qualified participants follow the survey process and the dive leader submits the results through the Conservation Action Portal.

The PADI Dive Against Debris Specialty remains available through participating PADI providers. It offers structured preparation in marine-debris issues, survey planning, safe removal decisions and accurate reporting. Check PADI’s current information for prerequisites, course details and participating providers.

How to Make Your Survey More Valuable

Dive Against Debris Questions