Know the rules.

SCUBA diving is not a free-for-all, free-to-do anything kind of sport. There are certain restrictions and limitations such as certifications, training, physical health, weather, and a lot more. Knowing such will protect underwater life as well as yours.

Learn about every underwater environment you dive in.

The keys to caring are appreciation and wonder - two things that certainly won’t be missed when you learn about the vibrant and magnificent underwater world. There are tons (or terabytes) of information on the internet from blogs to proper articles. There are, as well, a lot of books available discussing the beauty of the sea and how to care for them.

Mind those kicks!

There is no doubt fin kicks can take you to farther depths and distances. But bear in mind, even the slightest kick can damage (or even kill) corals, anemone, and almost everything else underwater. So please mind those kicks.

Easy on the flashes!

This one may be debatable. But really, think about it. It did happen in that Nemo movie and it sure shocked the fish for some time. And there’s certainly no saying there isn’t any negative long term effect. Flashes also produce heat that may disrupt the temperature balance particular sea life are used to.

So maybe easy on the flashes and don’t shoot directly at them? Lighting, after all, is best from an angle.

Save no room for the boom!

Make sure your equipment is secure when going underwater. Unsecured diving gear can fall off and hit corals, fans, and others. Plus, we all know they’re quite expensive so keeping them properly attached to you at all times will mean you won’t have to buy a new one.

We behold but we don’t handle.

This could also read “we behold but we don’t hold!” Notice that sea creatures are really nice to look at when they’re alive and well. So be sure not to handle as most of them are very sensitive and may actually die from being handled.

Another thing to remember is to always have proper buoyancy. Try to make any adjustment above a sandy bottom to lessen the chance of sinking or resting on live corals.

Pick up trash whenever you can.

There’s an annual cleanup drive where scuba divers go underwater and look for trash. It does not, however, have to happen only once a year. The drive is mainly to create awareness. Once you are aware, pick up things that don’t belong to the sea whenever you can and dispose them properly.

Listen to your Dive Masters and Master Instructors.

Your instructors and dive masters more often than not are champions of the environment. If you really are serious about being a Green Diver, be sure to always listen and follow those who only mean the best for you and the sea.

Dive only with shops that adhere to Green Diver principles.

Once you’ve listened to your dive masters and instructors, you’ll know whether they are Green Divers or not. Be sure to dive only with shops that care enough for the environment to teach you the rules of Green Diving. In Sabang, Puerto Galera, you can always count on The Mermaid Dive Center.

Educate those around you.

Now that you know and practice these things, be sure to spread the word. It is true that one can only do so much. So educate those around you and help make the Green Diving principle a way of life.