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 Instructor Guide
© PADI 2007

All rights reserved.

Published by PADI Americas, Inc.

30151 Tomas Street
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688 USA

Printed in U.S.A.
Product No. 79108 Version 1.03 (11/07)

ii Introduction
 Contents
1 Introduction
3 Standards
5 Overview
PADI Seal Team AquaMissions
7 AquaMission 1
11 AquaMission 2
15 AquaMission 3
19 AquaMission 4
23 AquaMission 5
PADI Master Seal Team Specialty AquaMissions
27 Master Seal Team Introduction
29 AquaMission: Creature ID Specialist
33 AquaMission: Environmental Specialist
37 AquaMission: Inner Space Specialist
41 AquaMission: Navigation Specialist
45 AquaMission: Night Specialist
49 AquaMission: Safety Specialist
53 AquaMission: Search and Recovery Specialist
57 AquaMission: Skin Diver Specialist
61 AquaMission: Snapshot Specialist
65 AquaMission: Wreck Specialist
Appendix
71 AquaMission Games

PADI Seal Team Instructor Guide iii

iv Introduction
 Introduction
PADI Seal Team Program
The PADI Seal Team program is an exciting underwater activity-filled intro-
duction to the world of diving. The PADI Seal Team program gives children a
chance to swim around underwater and experience adventure, discovery and
thrills. It also provides parents or guardians with a structured program that lets
their children develop skills, learn about the aquatic realm and have a lot of
good, clean fun.

Getting Kids on the Team

To become official members of the PADI Seal Team, kids must complete the first
five of 15 AquaMissions. These activities develop fundamental scuba skills and
knowledge while preparing kids for further adventure.
Children learn about diving by watching the PADI Seal Team video, through
the PADI Seal Team AquaMission Activity Book and during predive briefings with
their PADI Instructor. Each AquaMission consists of a briefing, a skill session and
a game or activity.
Completing the pool dive and answering challenge questions in their PADI
Seal Team AquaMission Logbooks earns young divers an AquaMission decal.
Finishing AquaMissions 1-5, which is equivalent to completing the skills in Con-
fined Water Dive One from the Open Water Diver Course, means youngsters are
PADI Seal Team members. Receiving a PADI Seal Team member card and wall
certificate recognizes their accomplishments and allows them to work toward
PADI Master Seal Team recognition.

padisealteam.com
As part of their PADI Seal Team membership, PADI Seals have access to a special
website designed for young divers. There, young divers can learn more about the
PADI Seal Team through character bios and they can read about the PADI Seal
Team and Specialty AquaMissions. Kids can check out links to padi.com and
projectaware.org.

PADI Seal Team Instructor Guide 1

PADI Member Youth Leader’s Commitment
Working with children is both a privilege and a responsibility. Therefore in all
instructional activities involving children, PADI Members will:
• Ensure appropriate supervision during all instructional activities.
• Meet the child’s parents or guardians and share program goals and
objectives.
• Keep parents or guardians involved and informed through verbal reports
and updates.
• Treat children, parents or guardians with respect regardless of age, race,
gender and religious affiliation.
• Honor all commitments made to children.
• Report any information that indicates children may harm themselves or
others, or that a child has been abused, to the appropriate local authori-
ties.
• Discuss disciplinary problems with parents or guardians immediately.
• Refrain from inappropriate contact with children.
• Respect a child’s right to privacy and intrude only when health and
safety demand.
• Ensure two adults are with children at all times.

PADI’s Youth Resource Library

Teaching children requires a style and approach different than that
used in teaching adults. There are wide variances in children’s
ability to understand dive concepts and apply them, as well as in
how they adapt to the physical rigors of diving. PADI has a Youth
Resource Library available on the PADI Pro section at padi.com to
help you tailor your approach to children in your programs.

2 Introduction
 PADI Seal Team Program Standards
Prerequisites Participants must be at least 8 years old.
Participants and parents or guardians must complete
and sign the PADI Seal Team Statement prior to inwater
activities. This statement is valid for 12 months.
Participants who answer yes to any question on the
medical history form must receive medical approval
from a licensed physician prior to inwater activities.
Instructor Qualification Teaching status PADI Instructors or PADI Assistant
and Supervision Instructors must control all activities and maintain
direct inwater supervision.

Note
Renewed and insured PADI Divemasters may conduct AquaMission:
Skin Diver Specialist, following PADI Skin Diver course standards

Location Swimming pool only

Recommended 1.5 to 2 hours with 30-45 minutes in the water
Duration
Ratios Participant-to-instructor – 6:1.
(less than 2 metres/6 feet) With one or more certified assistants – 8:1
Participant-to-assistant instructor – 4:1 (maximum)
(2-4 metres/6-12 feet) Participant-to-instructor or certified assistant – 2:1
AquaMission: Participant-to-instructor or certified assistant – 16:1
Skin Diver Specialist

Note
You may conduct the entire program in shallow water.

Sequence Conduct AquaMissions 1-5 in order for PADI Seal Team

membership. Specialty AquaMissions may be offered
in any order.
Participants may complete AquaMissions with any
PADI Instructor or Assistant Instructor at any location.
Their AquaMission Logbook serves as referral docu-
mentation.

PADI Seal Team Instructor Guide 3

 Note
Children who have completed all skills from Confined Water Dive One
(through Bubblemaker, Discover Scuba Diving or PADI Scuba Diver or
Open Water Diver course) may participate in specialty AquaMissions.
However, before they can become PADI Master Seal Team members,
they must become PADI Seals by completing all activities for AquaMis-
sions 1-5.

Participant Equipment
Required
Mask, fins, snorkel, buoyancy control device, scuba
tank, regulator with octopus and air gauge.
Recommended Exposure protection and weights as appropriate
for comfort.

Gear Set Up
Before becoming members of the PADI Master Seal Team, PADI Seals must
demonstrate the ability to assemble and disassemble their scuba gear.

Note
Each AquaMission lists activity-specific equipment requirements.

PADI Seal Team Program Materials

Required for instructor Instructor Guide, Flip Chart, recognition decals for
logbook and Open Water Diver Course Confined
Water Aquatic Cue Cards.
Required for AquaMission Activity Book, Video,
participants AquaMission Logbook, Wall Certificate and
Membership Card application.
Required for PADI Wall Certificate and Membership Card.
Master Seal Team
members

Note
If the PADI Seal Team AquaMission Activity Book, Video or AquaMission
Logbook do not exist in a language the child understands, you may
cover the necessary information and administer AquaMission Logbook
challenges orally.

4 Introduction
 Overview
In general, conduct each PADI Seal Team AquaMission as follows:
• Have youngsters watch, either on their own or with you, the PADI Seal
Team video. Note: Viewing the video is required only once during the program.
• Have kids work through the appropriate section in their PADI Seal Team
AquaMission Activity Book.
• Ask participants to turn to the appropriate section in their AquaMission
Activity Book and begin your interactive briefing. Be sure to:
• Use the PADI Seal Team Flip Chart to review safety rules, hand signals
and other important information for AquaMissions 1-5.
• Cover key points in a simple manner.
• Involve participants in the discussion by asking questions.
• Encourage participants to ask questions.
• Assess learning by having participants complete the appropriate chal-
lenge in their AquaMission Logbook. Note: Participants may complete chal-
lenges either before or after the pool dive.
• Help participants prepare for and enter the pool. Reinforce working in
buddy teams.
• When appropriate, encourage participants to assemble their gear inde-
pendently. Prior to becoming a Master Seal, PADI Seals must demonstrate
the ability to assemble and disassemble their gear. This may be done at
any time during the program.
• Introduce new skills and allow adequate time for practice.
• Conduct AquaMission activities and games.
• Help participants exit and disassemble equipment.
• Debrief the AquaMission, issue decals and complete AquaMission Log-
books.
• Promote upcoming AquaMissions.

Recognition and Registration

After each AquaMission
• Place appropriate AquaMission decal in AquaMission Logbook
and sign and date log page.

After AquaMissions 1-5

• Complete PADI Seal Team membership application, include
photo of child, and submit to your PADI Office. Consider preregis-
tration.
• Award PADI Seal Team Wall Certificate.

After 10 additional AquaMissions

• Complete PADI Master Seal Team membership application,
include photo of child, and submit to your PADI Office.
• Award PADI Master Seal Team Wall Certificate.

PADI Seal Team Instructor Guide 5

Continuing Education
When a Teaching status PADI Instructor conducts AquaMissions 1-5, or assesses
skill mastery during AquaMission 5 – PADI Seal Team Skill Circuit, the PADI Seal
may receive credit for completing Open Water Diver course Confined Water Dive
One. This referral credit is valid for 12 months from the last AquaMission. This
is an important link to the PADI Junior Scuba Diver or Junior Open Water Diver
course.

6 Introduction
 AquaMission 1

i o n 1 Goal ubble-
A q u aMiss ills from the PADfiI nBed Water
D I S e al Team and sk
wledge ams, along w
ith Con
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ntro d u c e s
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e S k ills fro l e d g e are com nd comfort. m e t r es/six
n a
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cou iver a axim
velop d to a m
that de u c t e d
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Hi, I’m
Kiros.
Challenge
Upon completion of AquaMission 1, youngsters will be able to answer the fol-
lowing questions:
• What is the most important safety rule for scuba diving?
• How do you keep your ears comfortable while scuba diving?
• How do you know how much air is left in your scuba tank?

Skills
• Shallow water entry
• Don and adjust equipment
• Underwater breathing
• Underwater swimming
• Air gauge reading and understanding
• Air supply signaling
• Ear clearing (equalizing)
• Hand signals (OK, Up, Down, I Have a Problem, Stop)
• Ascent

Upon completion of AquaMission 1, youngsters will be able to:

1. Don and adjust mask, fins, snorkel, BCD, scuba and weights (if
appropriate) with the assistance of a buddy, instructor or certified
assistant.
2. In shallow water, demonstrate proper scuba breathing habits;
remembering to breathe naturally and not hold the breath.
3. Swim underwater with scuba equipment on while maintaining
control of both direction and depth.
4. Properly equalize the ears while underwater to accommodate
depth changes.
5. While underwater, locate and read the air gauge and signal
whether the air supply is adequate or low, based on the gauge’s
caution zone.
6. While underwater, recognize and demonstrate standard hand sig-
nals.
7. Demonstrate the techniques for a proper ascent.

Games
• Select one or two games to play from the selections listed for AquaMission
1 in the Games Appendix of this guide.

Special Materials
In addition to equipment listed in program Standards:
• Pool toys that can be thrown and received (Toypedo™, underwater flying
disks, etc.)

8 AquaMission 1
 Set Up
• This activity takes place at a maximum depth of two metres/six feet.
• Participants are initially fitted for scuba equipment and weighted appro-
priately.
• Kids learn and practice the Confined Water Dive One Skills assigned to
PADI Seal Team AquaMission 1.
• Youngsters play toss and catch pool games. Use pool toy games to encour-
age kids to move and become comfortable in their scuba gear. Promote
team interaction by having buddy pairs play together. Include yourself
and assistants in the games.

Interactive Briefing
Opening Dialog
Ask the following questions and solicit answers and interaction from kids.
• Has anyone ever been scuba diving before?
[Solicit responses.]
• Who’s seen diving movies or shows on TV?
[Suggest local programs kids may have seen.]
• What do you think it’s like to go diving?
[Encourage kids to use their imagination.]
• We’re going to be breathing underwater today, how do you think we’re going to
do that?
[Explain breathing through a regulator and lead into the flip chart
presentation.]

Review the PADI Seal Team Flip Chart

Follow-up with interactive review of the PADI Seal Team Code of Conduct, diving
safety rules, hand signals and equipment introduced in the PADI Seal Team Flip
Chart pages one through four. Follow with an interactive Flip Chart review of
AquaMission 1.
• Seal Team CODE of Conduct
I promise to:
• Carefully dive at all times – remembering the rules.
• Offer help to my diving buddy.
• Defend and protect the aquatic world.
• Educate myself by learning more about diving and developing my skills.
• Seal Team Diving Rules – Safety First
• Clear your ears early and often.
• Never hold your breath underwater – blow bubbles.
• Listen to me closely.
• Tell me how you feel.
• Ask me if you don’t understand something.
• Seal Team Hand Signals
• Okay? Okay!
• Stop
• Go Up
• Go Down
• Slow Down – Take it Easy

PADI Seal Team Instructor Guide 9

 • Ear Problem
• Check Your Air Gauge
• Out of Air
• Something is Wrong
• Share Air
• PADI Seal Team Equipment
• Mask
• Fins
• Snorkel
• Regulator with octopus
• Tank
• Buoyancy control device (with inflator and deflator)
• Air gauge
• Wet suit and weights, as appropriate

Review Challenge in PADI Seal Team AquaMission Logbook

Pool Dive
1. Predive
• Gather kids to the poolside and help them set up their equipment.
• Explain and demonstrate skills. [Use Confined Water Aquatic Cue Cards.]
• Assign buddies.
• Remind youngsters of pool and underwater safety rules.
2. Skill briefing and conduct in shallow water
• Introduce and practice skills.
3. Activity
• Introduce and play games in shallow water,
4. Post Dive
• Break as appropriate (bathroom, drying, dressing, etc.) to assure
comfort.

Interactive Debriefing
Closing Dialog
Ask questions and solicit answers and interaction from kids.
[Questions should be based on actual occurrences during the session.]

Closing Activities
• Issue decals for the PADI Seal Team AquaMission Logbook.
• Issue other recognition items, as appropriate.
• Remind youngsters to read the appropriate section in their PADI Seal Team
AquaMission Activity Book for their next AquaMission.
• Report to parents or guardians on children’s performance.
AquaMission 2

10 AquaMission 1
 AquaMission 2

i o n 2 Goal Skills from

A q u aMiss ed Water Dive Omnebined with
I S e a l Team dditional Confinr Diver course, conce and com-
PAD ion 2 introduces aer or Open Wateer ability, confideion 2 skills in
AquaM
iss ba Div op div iss
AquaM imum) bef
ore
I J u n ior Scu
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D i a um).
the PA ol gam profic ter m
maxim
e r t a i n ing po s t b e come f e e t of wa f e e t
ent n mu res/si
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tres/1
2
hildre o met ur me
fort. C te r ( t w te r ( f o
w wa er wa
shallo ing to deep
ess
progr
Hi, I’m
Shina.
Challenge
Upon completion of AquaMission 2, youngsters will be able to answer the fol-
lowing questions:
• What do you do when your regulator is out of your mouth?
• What is a purge button?
• How do you avoid a mask squeeze?

Skills
• Shallow water entry
• Don and adjust equipment
• Regulator removal and bubble blowing
• Regulator replacement and clearing (purge button)
• Regulator removal and recovery (in front of diver)
• Mask equalization
• Hand signals (Blow Bubbles)
• Ascent

Upon completion of AquaMission 2, youngsters will be able to:

1. Clear a regulator while underwater using the purge button
method and resume breathing from it.
2. Properly equalize the mask while underwater to accommodate
depth changes.

Games
• Select one or two games to play from the selections listed for AquaMission
2 in the Games Appendix of this guide.

Special Materials
In addition to equipment listed in program Standards:
• Small items that can be collected from the bottom (coins, jacks, etc.).

Set Up
• This activity initially takes place in the shallow end of the pool and may
be repeated in deeper water (four metres/12 feet maximum) after skill
proficiency is demonstrated.
• Participants are initially fitted for scuba equipment and weighted appro-
priately while in shallow water.
• Youngsters learn and practice the Confined Water Dive One Skills
assigned to PADI Seal Team AquaMission 2.
• Kids play pool games that include retrieving small items from the bottom
of the pool. Object retrieval games increase underwater dexterity and the
ability to maneuver in scuba. Friendly competition adds fun by challeng-
ing teams to win a game.
• Skills and games may be repeated in deeper water.

12 AquaMission 2
 Interactive Briefing
Opening Dialog
Ask the following questions and solicit answers and interaction from kids.
• Who remembers why it’s very, very important to blow bubbles when your regula-
tor is out of your mouth?
[Remind kids of this important safety rule.]
• Who can show me the purge button on your regulator?
[Show the kids the purge button on a primary regulator.]
• Who can tell me if an octopus regulator has a purge button?
[Show the kids the purge button on an octopus.]
• Do you remember how to clear your ears while diving?
[Explain that they may be going into deeper water and knowing how to
clear their ears will keep them comfortable.]
• Who wants to go to deeper water today?
[Solicit responses.]

Review the PADI Seal Team Flip Chart

Conduct an interactive review of the PADI Seal Team Code of Conduct, diving
safety rules, hand signals and equipment introduced in the PADI Seal Team Flip
Chart pages one through four. Follow with an interactive Flip Chart review of
AquaMission 2.

Review Challenge in PADI Seal Team AquaMission Logbook

Pool Dive
1. Predive
• Gather kids to the poolside and help them set up their equipment.
• Explain and demonstrate skills. [Use Confined Water Aquatic Cue Cards.]
• Describe the games and show the kids the toys they will play with.
• Assign buddies.
• Remind youngsters of pool and underwater safety rules.

2. Skill briefing and conduct in shallow water

• Introduce and practice skills.

3. Activity
• Introduce and play games in shallow water.

4. Post Dive
• Break as appropriate (bathroom, drying, dressing, etc.) to assure
comfort.

PADI Seal Team Instructor Guide 13

Interactive Debriefing
Closing Dialog
Ask questions and solicit answers and interaction from kids.
[Questions should be based on actual occurrences during the session.]

Closing Activities
• Issue decals for the PADI Seal Team AquaMission Logbook.
• Issue other recognition items, as appropriate.
• Remind PADI Seals to read the section in their PADI Seal Team AquaMission
Activity Book for their next AquaMission.
• Report to parents or guardians on children’s performance.

AquaMission 3

14 AquaMission 2
 AquaMission 3

i o n 3 Goal Skills
A q u aMiss ed Water Dive Osen,ecombined
a l T ea m ce Con
fin er cour
D I S e o d u ter Div ence
PA ion 3 c
on t i n u e s t o i n
a Dive
t r
ro r O p e n W a
p diver
ab i l i t y, confid
uaMis
sion
iss cub lo Aq
AquaM D I J unior S e s t h at deve o fi c i ent in ter m
axi-
t h e P A l g a m e p r o f w a feet
from oo m t
t e r t a i ning p m u s t beco r e s / s ix fee m e t r es/12
t
with en
n o me (four
hildre ter (tw eper water
d c o m fort. C w w a e
an hallo g to d
ls in s ressin
3 skil p r o g
before
mum)
um).
maxim
Hi, I’m
Blade.
Challenge
Upon completion of AquaMission 3, youngsters will be able to answer the fol-
lowing questions:
• What does the inflator hose on a BCD do?
• What is your extra regulator called?
• What does S.A.F.E. stand for?

Skills
• Shallow water entry
• Don and adjust equipment
• Inflate/deflate BCD at surface (power inflator)
• Clear a partially flooded mask
• Octopus breathing (alternate air source use – must be supplied
by the instructor)
• Hand signals (Low On Air, Out of Air, Share Air)
• Ascent

Upon completion of AquaMission 3, youngsters will be able to:

1. In shallow water, clear a partially flooded mask while underwa-
ter.
2. Inflate/deflate a BCD at the surface using the power inflator.
3. In shallow water, breathe underwater for at least 30 seconds from
an alternate air source supplied by the instructor.

Games
• Select one or two games to play from the selections listed for AquaMission
3 in the Games Appendix of this guide.

Special Materials
In addition to equipment listed in program Standards:
• Relay-race toys (upside-down spoon and Ping-Pong™ ball, etc.)

Set Up
• This AquaMission initially takes place in shallow water, and participants
may repeat skills in deeper water after demonstrating skill proficiency.
• Participants are initially fitted for scuba equipment and weighted appro-
priately in shallow water.
• Youngsters learn and practice the Confined Water Dive One Skills
assigned to PADI Seal Team AquaMission 3.
• Kids play underwater relay-race pool games.
• Skills and games may be repeated in deeper water.

16 AquaMission 3
 Interactive Briefing
Opening Dialog
Ask the following questions and solicit answers and interaction from kids.
• Who can tell me when and why you would want to inflate your BCD on the sur-
face?
[To float comfortably.]
• Who can show me the power inflator button on your BCD?
[Have kids show you.]
• Who knows how to get water out of your mask if some gets in while you’re
underwater?
[Discuss mask clearing.]
• Who has ever felt their mask squeezing their face?
[Explain how to prevent a mask squeeze and how to fix it if it happens.]
• Who knows what an octopus regulator is?
[Does it really suck brains? NO! Explain the use of an octopus.]
• Why is it good for a diver to know how to breathe off of an octopus regulator?
[Explain that if you watch your air gauge carefully, you won’t run out of
air. But just in case you ever do, this is a good emergency action to take.]
• I’m sure you all know your diving safety rules by now, but tell me again…what’s
the most important rule in scuba diving?
[You’ve got it! Blow bubbles. Never hold your breath.]

Review the PADI Seal Team Flip Chart

Conduct an interactive review of the PADI Seal Team Code of Conduct, diving
safety rules, hand signals and equipment introduced in the PADI Seal Team Flip
chart pages one through four. Follow with an interactive Flip Chart review of
AquaMission 3.

Review Challenge in PADI Seal Team AquaMission Logbook

Pool Dive
1. Predive
• Gather kids to the poolside and help them set up their equipment.
• Explain and demonstrate skills. [Use Confined Water Aquatic Cue Cards.]
• Describe the games and show the kids the toys they will play with.
• Assign buddies.
• Remind youngsters of pool and underwater safety rules.

2. Skill briefing and conduct in shallow water

• Introduce and practice skills.

3. Activity
• Introduce and play games in shallow water.

4. Post Dive
Break as appropriate (bathroom, drying, dressing, etc.) to assure comfort.

PADI Seal Team Instructor Guide 17

Interactive Debriefing
Closing Dialog
Ask questions and solicit answers and interaction from kids.
[Questions should be based on actual occurrences during the session.]

Closing Activities
• Issue decals for the PADI Seal Team AquaMission Logbook.
• Issue other recognition items, as appropriate.
• Remind kids to read the section in their PADI Seal Team AquaMission Activ-
ity Book for their next AquaMission.
• Report to parents or guardians on children’s performance.

AquaMission 4

18 AquaMission 3
 AquaMission 4

n 4 G oal m
a M o
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q u
am A Confined WatereDr course, AquaMunderwa-
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S
Challenge
Upon completion of AquaMission 4, youngsters will be able to answer the fol-
lowing questions:
• Which arm do you use when you recover your regulator?
• What are you controlling when you do a fin pivot?
• What is hovering?

Skills
• Shallow water entry
• Don and adjust equipment
• Regulator removal and recovery (from behind the shoulder)
• Regulator replacement and clearing (blowing hard)
• Underwater weightlessness: Neutral buoyancy – fin pivot (power
inflator only)
• Underwater weightlessness: Neutral buoyancy – hovering
(power inflator only)
• Ascent

Upon completion of AquaMission 4, youngsters will be able to:

1. In shallow water, recover a regulator hose from behind the shoul-
der while underwater.
2. Clear a regulator while underwater using the exhalation method
and resume breathing from it.
3. Independently establish neutral buoyancy underwater by pivot-
ing on the fin tips or, when appropriate, another point of contact
(power inflator).
4. Using buoyancy control only, hover without kicking or sculling.

Games
• Select one or two games to play from the selections listed for AquaMission
4 in the Games Appendix of this guide.

Special Materials
In addition to equipment listed in program Standards:
• Swim-through obstacles (Hula Hoop™, PVC configurations, etc.)

Set Up
• Participants are initially fitted for scuba equipment and weighted appro-
priately while in shallow water.
• Kids learn and practice buoyancy control skills in shallow water first.
Once skills are mastered in shallow water, they may be practiced in
deeper water under direct supervision of the instructor.

20 AquaMission 4
 Interactive Briefing
Opening Dialog
Ask the following questions and solicit answers and interaction from kids:
• Do you think feeling weightless underwater is like being an astronaut who is
weightless in space?
[Solicit responses.]
• Who can tell me what pieces of your scuba equipment are used to make you
weightless underwater?
[BCD and weights]
• What do you think happens if you put too much air into your BCD?
[You could zoom to the surface – out of control. That’s not safe.]
• What do you think happens if you let too much air out?
[You’d sink too much, or not be able to get to the surface easily. If you
were in the ocean, you might crush coral or otherwise damage the envi-
ronment.]

Review the PADI Seal Team Flip Chart

Conduct an interactive review of the PADI Seal Team Code of Conduct, diving
safety rules, hand signals and equipment introduced in the PADI Seal Team Flip
Chart pages one through four. Follow with an interactive Flip Chart review of
AquaMission 4.

Review Challenge in PADI Seal Team AquaMission Logbook

Pool Dive
1. Predive
• Gather kids to the poolside and help them set up their equipment.
• Explain and demonstrate skills. [Use Confined Water Aquatic Cue Cards.]
• Describe the games and show the kids the toys they will play with.
• Assign buddies.
• Remind youngsters of pool and underwater safety rules.

2. Skill briefing and conduct in shallow water

• Introduce and practice skills.

3. Activity
• Introduce and play games in shallow water.
• Hovering practice in deeper water may include challenge games such as
sitting cross-legged without touching the bottom or going to the surface,
playing airplane with arms extended, maintaining position in relation to
markers attached to a descent line, etc.

4. Post Dive
• Break as appropriate (bathroom, drying, dressing, etc.) to assure comfort.

PADI Seal Team Instructor Guide 21

Interactive Debriefing
Closing Dialog
Ask questions and solicit answers and interaction from kids.
[Questions should be based on actual occurrences during the session.]

Closing Activities
• Issue decals for the PADI Seal Team AquaMission Logbook.
• Issue other recognition items, as appropriate
• Remind youngsters to read the section in their PADI Seal Team AquaMission
Activity Book for their next AquaMission.
• Report to parents or guardians on children’s performance.
• Remind kids to complete the invitation in their PADI Seal Team AquaMis-
sion Activity Book to their parents or guardians, other family members and
friends to attend AquaMission 5.

AquaMission 5

22 AquaMission 4
 AquaMission 5

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Challenge
Upon completion of AquaMission 5, youngsters will be able to answer the fol-
lowing question:
• What is the best way to move through the water?
• What are four important things to remember about scuba
diving?
• Why are snorkels good to use on the surface?

Skills
• Snorkel clearing – blast method
• Snorkel to regulator exchange
• Surface swim with scuba

Upon completion of AquaMission 5, youngsters will be able to:

1. Clear a snorkel of water by using the blast method.
2. Exchange snorkel for regulator and regulator for snorkel while at
the surface.
3. Swim at the surface, while wearing scuba and breathing through
the snorkel.

They will also demonstrate the skills they have already mastered in Aqua-
Missions 1- 4 by performing a skill circuit:

Skill Circuit
• Shallow water entry
• Don and adjust equipment
• Snorkel to regulator exchange – surface swim to descent line
• Deflate BCD at surface (power inflator)
• Controlled descent
• Ear clearing (equalizing)
• Underwater breathing
• Underwater swimming
• Air gauge reading and understanding/air supply signaling
• Clear a partially flooded mask
• Octopus breathing (alternate air source use – must be supplied
by the instructor)
• Hand signals (OK, Up, Down, Stop, I Have a Problem, Low On
Air, Out Of Air, Share Air, Blow Bubbles)
• Regulator removal and recovery (from behind the shoulder)
• Regulator replacement and clearing (blowing hard and purge
button)
• Underwater weightlessness: Neutral buoyancy – fin pivot (power
inflator only)
• Underwater weightlessness: Neutral buoyancy – hovering
(power inflator only)
• Ascent
• Inflate BCD at surface (power inflator)

24 AquaMission 5
 Games
• Select one or two of the most popular games to play from the selections
listed for AquaMissions 1-4 in the Games Appendix of this guide.

Special Materials
In addition to equipment listed in program Standards:
• Float (optional)
• Descent line with appropriate anchor (optional)
• Underwater camera (optional)
• PADI Seal Team recognition materials

Set Up
• Participants are initially fitted for scuba equipment and weighted appro-
priately in shallow water.
• Surface skills may be conducted initially in either shallow or deep water.
• After completing the surface skills, conduct a controlled descent into
the deep end of the pool using a float and descent line. (optional) Note:
Remind PADI Seals how to clear their ears when making the controlled descent.
• Allow ample time for youngsters to demonstrate what they have accom-
plished.

Interactive Briefing
Opening Dialog
Ask the following questions and solicit answers and interaction from soon-
to-be PADI Seals.
• Who can tell me why scuba divers would want to use a snorkel?
[Solicit answers.]
• Who can tell me why divers would want to switch back and forth from breathing
through a regulator to breathing through a snorkel?
[To be able to save their scuba air while swimming on the surface while
looking underwater. Then, being able to switch to their regulator when
they’re ready to descend.]
• Who can tell me why descending into deep water is easier with a descent line?
[Control.]
• Who can tell me how to keep from going down too fast?
[Don’t let too much air out of your BCD. Hold the descent line on the way
down.]
• Who can tell me how to clear your ears while going down a descent line?
[Remind kids that they’ll need to clear their ears if they descend down the
float line.]

Review the PADI Seal Team Flip Chart

Conduct an interactive review of the PADI Seal Team Code of Conduct, diving
safety rules, hand signals and equipment introduced in the PADI Seal Team Flip
Chart pages one through four. Follow with an interactive Flip Chart review of
AquaMission 5.

Review Challenge in PADI Seal Team AquaMission Logbook

PADI Seal Team Instructor Guide 25
Pool Dive
1. Predive
• Gather kids to the poolside and help them set up their equipment.
• Explain and demonstrate skills. [Use Confined Water Aquatic Cue Cards.]
• Describe the games and show the kids the toys they will play with.
• Assign buddies.
• Remind youngsters of pool and underwater safety rules.
• Invite parents or guardians, other family members or friends to get in the
water to observe or to take photos or video.

2. Skill briefing and conduct in shallow water

• Introduce and practice new skills.

3. Activity
• Use games to develop surface skill proficiency, such as snorkel blasting
wars and surface swimming on scuba relay-races. Challenge kids to cross
the entire width of the pool while making snorkel to regulator exchanges
without lifting their heads out of the water.
• Descend into deep water using a controlled descent down a float line.
(optional)
• Conduct entire skill demonstration.

4. Post Dive
• Break as appropriate (bathroom, drying, dressing, etc.) to assure comfort.

Interactive Debriefing
Closing Dialog
Ask questions and solicit answers and interaction from PADI Seals.
[Questions should be based on actual occurrences during the session.]

Closing Activities: Celebration and Awards Ceremony

• Issue decals for the PADI Seal Team AquaMission Logbook.
• Issue other recognition items, as appropriate.
• Distribute PADI Seal Team membership cards (if kids were pre-registered)
or complete application for PADI Seal Team membership card.
• Hand out PADI Seal Team Wall Certificates and other appropriate recog-
nition items: T-shirts, hats, towels, etc.
• Congratulate kids – they’re now PADI Seals!
• Promote Specialty AquaMissions and invite PADI Seals to continue on to
become PADI Master Seal Team members.
• Discuss PADI Junior Scuba Diver and Junior Open Water Diver certifica-
tion.

Note
Completing PADI Seal Team AquaMission 5 is a significant event for the
kids. Celebrate the awards ceremony at a local restaurant or similar
venue, take group pictures, hand out photos from previous AquaMis-
sions, add the youngsters’ name to a big recognition display, etc.
26 AquaMission 5
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 Creature Id

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Challenge
Upon completion of AquaMission: Creature ID Specialist, PADI Seals will be
able to answer the following questions:
• Where can you see aquatic creatures?
• Is coral a plant?
• How do you find out what an aquatic creature is called?

Skills
• Identify at least one aquatic creature.
• Use an appropriate hand signal for an aquatic creature.
Upon completion of AquaMission: Creature ID Specialist, PADI Seals will be
able to:
1. Identify at least one aquatic creature by name.
2. Demonstrate a common underwater hand signal used to identify
at least one aquatic creature.

Special Materials
In addition to equipment listed in program Standards:
• Aquatic life identification slates (from the local area, if possible) or other
waterproof illustrations/representations of aquatic creatures
• Photos of various aquatic creatures
• Blank slates and pencils
• Webbed gloves (optional)

Set Up
• If possible, have photos or video of aquatic life found in the local area.
Focus on aquatic habitats (ponds, tide-pools, etc.) or local dive/snorkel
sites that participants are likely to visit.
• Pick several creatures to describe in detail.
• Choose several different propulsion methods for participants to practice
underwater (e.g., dolphin kick, etc. – See Pool Dive)
• Prepare aquatic life identification charts, laminated pictures, painted
wooden cutouts, or similar depictions of aquatic creatures for inwater use.

Interactive Briefing
Ask the following questions and solicit answers and interaction from PADI
Seals.
• When you hear the words – aquatic life – what do you think of?
[Solicit examples. Prompt them to think of both large animals – whales,
dolphins, etc. – and small creatures – hermit crabs, starfish, etc. Show
photos or video of creatures, as appropriate.]
• Can you think of any plants that live underwater?
[Solicit examples – kelp, seaweed, grass, algae, etc. If anyone mentions
coral, explain that coral is actually colonies of tiny animals. Show photos
or video of aquatic plants, as appropriate.]

30 AquaMission: Creature ID Specialist

 • Why do you think it’s important to have such a wide variety of creatures under-
water?
[Solicit ideas. Summarize that every aquatic animal and plant has a pur-
pose – even sharks. Remind participants that as Project AWARE ambassa-
dors, they must avoid harming any aquatic creature.]
• Can you think of different ways that aquatic animals move around underwater?
[Solicit ideas – swim, crawl, fly, etc.]
• Point to a creature on the aquatic life slate (waterproof illustration) – ask what
special characteristics does this creature (name) have?
[Solicit ideas. Review characteristics and provide interesting facts about
behaviors and habitats. Teach participants a hand signal for the crea-
ture.]

Review the PADI Seal Team Flip Chart

Conduct an interactive review of the PADI Seal Team Code of Conduct, diving
safety rules, hand signals and equipment introduced in the PADI Seal Team Flip
Chart pages one through four.

Review Challenge in PADI Seal Team AquaMission Logbook

Pool Dive
1. Predive
• Gather kids to the poolside and help them set up their equipment.
• Assign buddies.
• Pass out underwater slates.
• General pool rules and safety reminders
• Underwater safety rules and reminders

2. Skill briefing and conduct in shallow water

• Shallow water entry.
• Don and adjust equipment.
• Fin pivot and hovering — Explain that maintaining proper buoyancy is
key to staying off the bottom and avoiding accidental damage to aquatic
life. Have participants practice fin pivot and hovering if appropriate.
Note: Kids who have not yet completed AquaMissions 1-5 may not have learned
how to fin pivot or hover. If this is the case, these skills should be introduced at
this time.
• Underwater propulsion – demonstrate and have participants practice
moving underwater like various creatures – dolphin kick, starfish crawl,
fly like a ray, fin like a seal, crab side-walk, eel wiggle, etc. Pass around
webbed gloves to try.

3. Activity
• Descend
• Indicate a creature you discussed by pointing to it on the aquatic life
slate/waterproof representation and have participants write its name on
their slates. Or, write a creature’s name and have participants point to it
on an aquatic life slate or draw it on their slates.
• Point to a creature and have participants show the appropriate hand
signal.

PADI Seal Team Instructor Guide 31

 • Indicate a creature and have participants act out a behavior or the way
the creature moves underwater.
• If time allows, play other identification games – who guesses the fastest,
etc.

4. Post Dive
• Break as appropriate (bathroom, drying, dressing, etc.) to assure comfort.

Interactive Debriefing
Closing Dialog
Ask questions and solicit answers and interaction from PADI Seals.
[Questions should be based on actual occurrences during the session.]
• Which creature would you look forward to seeing underwater for real? Why?
[Encourage PADI Seals to learn as much as they can about aquatic life
and to pursue diving and snorkeling opportunities.]
• Which creature was the easiest to move around like? The most fun?
[Discuss their success at mimicking different creatures.]
• What did you learn?
[Solicit responses.]

Closing Activities
• Issue decals for the PADI Seal Team AquaMission Logbook.
• Remind PADI Seals to read the PADI Seal Team AquaMission Activity Book
for their next AquaMission.
• Report to parents or guardians on children’s performance.

32 AquaMission: Creature ID Specialist

 Environmental

M i s s io n:
T e a m Aqua t Goal
I Se a l e c i al is ollutan
ts to
PAD tal Sp tists analyze littefrrom.a nd p
nm e n
Enviro how sc
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Challenge
Upon completion of AquaMission: Environmental Specialist, PADI Seals will
be able to answer the following questions:
• Does pollution hurt animals and plants?
• Why do scientists study litter in the ocean, rivers and lakes?
• What special gear protects your hands when you collect litter?

Skills
• Swim in a feet-high, head-low search position
• Underwater cleanup using a search pattern

Upon completion of AquaMission: Environmental Specialist, PADI Seals will

be able to:
1. Demonstrate a feet-high, head-low search position used in under-
water cleanups.
2. Perform a basic search pattern used in underwater cleanups.

Special Materials
In addition to equipment listed in program Standards:
• Three or four plastic similar, but not identical puzzles with sinking pieces
(may require some weighting)
• Mesh collection bag for each diver
• Collection gloves for each diver
• Several pieces of unusual or not readily identifiable pieces of litter col-
lected from beach/underwater

Set Up
• Mix the puzzle pieces together and scatter them in the pool. Do this after
showing the puzzle pieces to PADI Seals.
• PADI Seals will use an appropriate underwater search pattern, such as an
expanding square or U-pattern to search for puzzle pieces.
• Use gloves and mesh collection bags for collecting puzzle pieces.

Interactive Briefing
Opening Dialog
Ask the following questions and solicit answers and interaction from PADI
Seals.
• Everyone here has heard of pollution and litter. What’s bad about pollution and
litter going into the ocean, rivers or lakes?
[Solicit responses about hurting the environment and that we have to live
in it. Add local examples, as relevant.]
• How do we stop pollution?
[Expect all kinds of answers. Lead to the conclusion with the next ques-
tion.]
• All your answers are right. But notice that for every one of them, to stop pollu-
tion, first we have to know what the pollution is and where it comes from.

34 AquaMission: Environmental Specialist

 • Who knows what this is?
[Hold up litter piece. Expect several guesses. Repeat the question with one
or two other pieces without saying what any of them are and let partici-
pants guess.]
• It’s not easy to tell what they are, is it?
[Identify what the objects are and where you found them. Explain that
scientists study pollution and litter to find out what it is and where it
comes from.]
• Has anyone ever been to a big beach or underwater cleanup?
[Describe the annual Project AWARE Foundation worldwide beach and
underwater cleanup in September. Explain that participants write down
how much and what kind of litter was found. This information goes to
the Center for Marine Conservation in Washington, DC, USA. Scientists
use the information to try to figure where the pollution comes from. Every
piece of litter is like part of a big puzzle they’re trying to solve.]

Review the PADI Seal Team Flip Chart

Conduct an interactive review of the PADI Seal Team Code of Conduct, diving
safety rules, hand signals and equipment introduced in the PADI Seal Team Flip
Chart pages one through four.

Review Challenge in PADI Seal Team AquaMission Logbook

Pool Dive
1. Predive
• Gather kids to the poolside and help them set up their equipment.
• Assign buddies.
• Tell participants that they’re going to be gathering puzzle pieces much
like the litter pieces scientists use to solve the pollution puzzle.
• Pass the sample pieces around for them to look at.
• Explain that divers have to be careful when they clean up trash, so they
have to stay with their buddies and wear gloves as they find each piece
and put it in their mesh bags.
• Have participants try on their gloves.
• Explain that pollution comes from lots of different places, so the pieces
come from different puzzles.
• Explain that after all teams find all the pieces, everyone has to work
together to figure out which pieces come from which puzzles.
• Describe a search pattern and have PADI Seals practice the pattern on the
pool deck.
• General pool rules and safety reminders.
• Underwater safety rules and reminders.

2. Skill briefing and conduct in shallow water

• Shallow water entry
• Don and adjust equipment
• Fin pivot – Explain that when looking for pollution and trash, divers need

PADI Seal Team Instructor Guide 35

 to be able to swim without stirring up the bottom. Have participants prac-
tice fin pivot, if appropriate. Note: Kids who have not yet completed Aqua-
Missions 1-5 may not have learned how to fin pivot. If this is the case, this skill
should be introduced at this time.
• Head-Down Swim – Explain that divers also want to swim with their feet
high and heads low so they can see what they’re looking for.
• Demonstrate swimming with head low and feet up.
• PADI Seals practice swimming in the feet-high, head-low position.

3. Activity
• Assign each team to search and clean specific areas of pool.
• Descend
• PADI Seals search for, and collect puzzle pieces.

4. Post Dive
• Break as appropriate (bathroom, drying, dressing, etc.) to assure comfort.
• PADI Seals bring all their pieces together and work together to assemble
puzzles.

Interactive Debriefing
Closing Dialog
Ask questions and solicit answers and interaction from PADI Seals.
[Questions should be based on actual occurrences during the session.]
• What were the puzzles?
[Ask kids if they were able to guess what the puzzles were before assem-
bly.]
• How hard was it to figure out what they were? What does this show you about
how hard it can be for scientists to figure out where pollution comes from?
[Solicit responses.]

Closing Activities
• Issue decals for the PADI Seal Team AquaMission Logbook .
• Remind PADI Seals to read the section in the PADI Seal Team AquaMission
Activity Book for their next AquaMission.
• Report to parents or guardians on children’s performance.
• Schedule an aquatic realm cleanup and invite PADI Seals, their parents or
guardians and friends to participate. (optional)

36 AquaMission: Environmental Specialist

 inner space

a M i ss ion:
m Aqu
I S e al T e a
i a l is t Goal at felt by
PA D e c
Spe sness similar to th
p a c
Inner Sexperience weightles
eals
PADI S s in spac
e.
n a u t
astro
Challenge
Upon completion of AquaMission: Inner Space Specialist, PADI Seals will be
able to answer the following questions:
• What kind of buoyancy makes you float?
• What kind of buoyancy makes you sink?
• What kind of buoyancy lets you feel what it’s like to be weight-
less?

Skills
• Underwater weightlessness: Neutral buoyancy – fin pivot (power
inflator only)
• Underwater weightlessness: Neutral buoyancy – hovering
(power inflator only)

Upon completion of AquaMission: Inner Space Specialist, PADI Seals will be

able to:
1. Independently establish neutral buoyancy underwater by pivot-
ing on the fin tips or, when appropriate, another point of contact
(power inflator only).
2. Using buoyancy control only, hover without kicking or sculling.

Special Materials
In addition to equipment listed in program Standards:
• PVC pipe or other building material – Note: See Games Appendix for instruc-
tions on building Shallow Space Nine.
• Ascent line or other point of reference for hovering
• Underwater flying disks
• Weighted plastic eggs and spoons
• Other toys for games
• Peak Performance Buoyancy video (optional)

Set Up
• Kids begin by fin pivoting in shallow water. Skill may be repeated in
deeper water with a transition to hovering midwater. Use of a line or
marker for reference is useful.
• Once proficient at hovering, kids toss underwater flying disks while hover-
ing.
• Kids can help assemble a PVC-pipe tower underwater, or a preconstructed
tower may be used. Kids rest weighted plastic eggs in spoons and place the
eggs on the tower without touching the bottom or breaking the surface of
the water.
• At instructor’s discretion, play other games using buoyancy skills such as
swimming through weighted hoops or obstacle courses, etc.
• It’s useful if access to deeper water (four metres/12 feet maximum) is
available for games using hovering skills.
• Some pre-mission time may be required for such things as setting up
obstacle courses.

38 AquaMission: Inner Space Specialist

 Interactive Briefing
Opening Dialog
Ask the following questions and solicit answers and interaction from PADI
Seals.
• What is buoyancy?
[It is our positioning in the water – if we’re on the bottom, we are nega-
tively buoyant, if we are floating at the surface, we are positively buoy-
ant, and if we are hovering in between, we are neutrally buoyant.]
• Astronauts preparing for space travel spend time training in swimming pools
with scuba equipment. Why do you think they do that?
[By controlling buoyancy underwater using breathing and air in the
BCD, astronauts (and we) can simulate what it is like to be weightless in
space.]
• When controlling your buoyancy, it is best to add or take out little puffs of air at
a time. Why?
[So we don’t go up or down too quickly. Small amounts in and out allow
us to find exactly the right amount of air more easily.]
• Why do divers want to learn how to hover in the water?
[Allows them to stay off the bottom, keep off of fragile reefs, not disturb
creatures, better control of air supply (streamlining).]

Review the PADI Seal Team Flip Chart

Conduct an interactive review of the PADI Seal Team Code of Conduct, diving
safety rules, hand signals and equipment introduced in the PADI Seal Team Flip
Chart pages one through four.

Review Challenge in PADI Seal Team AquaMission Logbook

Pool Dive
1. Predive
• Gather kids to the poolside and help them set up their equipment.
• Assign buddies.
• General pool rules and safety reminders.
• Underwater safety rules and reminders.

2. Skill briefing and conduct in shallow water

• Shallow water entry.
• Don and adjust equipment.

3. Activity
• Descend
• Practice neutral buoyancy – fin pivot.
• Hover using point of reference.
• Assemble PVC tower (or similar object) – encourage youngsters to not
touch the bottom or push off the walls so they assemble the station or
complete the project much as an astronaut would on a space walk.
• Play games while neutrally buoyant – emphasis is on working in space
without the walls, bottom or gravity to help.

PADI Seal Team Instructor Guide 39

4. Post Dive
• Break as appropriate (bathroom, drying, dressing, etc.) to assure comfort.

Interactive Debriefing
Closing Dialog
Ask questions and solicit answers and interaction from PADI Seals.
[Questions should be based on actual occurrences during the session.]
• What did you learn by not using the bottom or walls and always staying neu-
trally buoyant?
[It was harder to do things.]
• Do you suppose it’s easy to be an astronaut working on the International Space
Station? It’s harder than it looks on TV, isn’t it?
[No, it’s not easy. Yes, it’s harder than it looks.]

Closing Activities
• Issue decals for the PADI Seal Team AquaMission Logbook.
• Remind PADI Seals to read the section in their PADI Seal Team AquaMission
Activity Book for their next AquaMission.
• Report to parents or guardians on children’s performance.

40 AquaMission: Inner Space Specialist

 Navigation

a M i s sion:
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Challenge
Upon completion of AquaMission: Navigation Specialist, PADI Seals will be
able to answer the following questions:
• What are some navigation helpers in a swimming pool?
• Which way does a compass needle point?
• How can you tell how far you have gone underwater?

Skills
• Underwater compass use
• Measure distance – counting kick strokes

Upon completion of AquaMission: Navigation Specialist, PADI Seals will be

able to:
1. Demonstrate a basic compass setting.
2. Demonstrate how to position an underwater compass while swim-
ming.
3. Demonstrate how to estimate distance underwater using kick
strokes.

Special Materials
In addition to equipment listed in program Standards:
• Underwater compass
• Weighted line (optional)
• Underwater slates and pencils

Setup
• Begin this AquaMission on the pool deck.
• Explain that compasses help divers go in the right direction and help
them swim in a straight line.
• Show the kids a compass like they’ll use. Point out the following features:
• needle
• the line through the compass center (lubber line)
• the marks that turn (index marks).
Note: Avoid the terms lubber line and index marks for this level.
• Show PADI Seals how to hold the compass correctly (level) so that the
needle does not trap.
• Demonstrate how the needle always points the same way (north). Have
them hold the compass and turn so they see the needle always pointing
the same way no matter which way they turn.
• Point PADI Seals along a straight line (such as a rope) and show them
how you turn the marks over the needle.
• Accompany PADI Seals as they walk along the straight line using the
compass. Emphasize that as long as they’re going straight along the rope,
the needle stays in the marks.
• Emphasize that to swim straight, they follow the center line and keep the
needle between the marks. Explain that they will also need to keep their
bodies in-line with the center line of the compass as they swim.

42 AquaMission: Navigation Specialist

 • Have them turn to show how the needle leaves the marks. Note: The ability
to grasp this will vary with each youngster’s maturity level. Since PADI Seals will
also follow a line in the water, it’s not crucial that they completely understand.
Don’t make this part of the session overly long.
• Have PADI Seals walk along a measured line, counting steps, to simulate
counting kick strokes. Have buddies count and record steps for each other.
Compare the differences in how many steps it takes for each kid to walk
the measured distance.
• In the pool, have kids repeat the activities they practiced on the pool deck
while using their compasses. Have them swim along a weighted line or
lane line. Note: in some pools, compasses will not function properly due to
close proximity to iron.

Interactive Briefing
Opening Dialog
Ask the following questions and solicit answers and interaction from PADI
Seals.
• Why do you think divers have more fun when they know where they are underwater?
[Solicit responses and discuss reduced anxiety. Explain that it’s similar to
hiking in the mountains – if you know where you are, you don’t worry
about how to find your way back.]
• It’s easy to remember where you are in the pool because it’s a small area. If
you’re out on a dive in the ocean, just like if you‘re out on a hike, how do you tell
which way you’re going?
[Solicit responses. Use follow up questions as necessary to establish that
you use a compass.]
• A compass tells you which way to go. How do we measure how far we go?
[Solicit responses. Use follow-up questions to lead to counting kicks. Note
that for youngsters you just count kicks – not kick cycles.]
• If you swim a certain distance and count your kicks, do you think you can figure
out how far you went?
[Discuss how knowing how many kicks it takes to go a certain distance
can be used to measure how far you went underwater.]

Review the PADI Seal Team Flip Chart

Conduct an interactive review of the PADI Seal Team Code of Conduct, diving
safety rules, hand signals and equipment introduced in the PADI Seal Team Flip
Chart pages one through four.

Review Challenge in PADI Seal Team AquaMission Logbook

Pool Dive
1. Predive
• Gather kids to the poolside and help them set up their equipment.
• Assign buddies.
• Position weighted line as appropriate.
• Hand out slates and pencils.
• General pool rules and safety reminders.
• Underwater safety rules and reminders.
PADI Seal Team Instructor Guide 43
2. Skill briefing and conduct in shallow water
• Shallow water entry
• Don and adjust equipment
• Point out measured line and describe how the navigation swim will be
conducted. (One buddy navigates each direction while swimming along
the line. Then they switch positions.)
• Describe how to swim while counting kicks. (One buddy swims at a
normal pace while the other counts kicks and records them on his slate.)
• Fin pivot and hovering – Explain that maintaining proper buoyancy
makes navigation easier. Have participants practice fin pivot and hover-
ing, if appropriate. Note: Kids who have not yet completed AquaMissions 1-5
may not have learned how to fin pivot or hover. If this is the case, these skills
should be introduced at this time.

3. Activity
• Descend.
• Assist PADI Seals in setting their compasses.
• Demonstrate how to hold the compass in-line while swimming and have
PADI Seals practice this positioning.
• Teams perform navigation swim.
• Teams conduct kick-counting swim.

4. Post Dive
• Break as appropriate (bathroom, drying, dressing, etc.) to assure comfort.
• Kids compare kick-counts

Interactive Debriefing
Closing Dialog
Ask questions and solicit answers and interaction from PADI Seals.
[Questions should be based on actual occurrences during the session.]
• How many kicks did it take to swim along the line?
[Compare answers and differences. Discuss how it takes different divers a
different number of kicks to go the same distance.]
• What did you learn about swimming with a compass?
[Solicit responses.]

Closing Activities
• Issue decals for the PADI Seal Team AquaMission Logbook .
• Remind PADI Seals to read the section in their PADI Seal Team AquaMission
Activity Book for their next AquaMission.
• Report to parents or guardians on children’s performance.

44 AquaMission: Navigation Specialist

 Night

a M is s ion:
T e a m Aqu
DI S e al G o al nd intr
oduce
PA ialist like to go night div i ng a
t S p e c
Nigh hat it’s
ADI Se
als w ions.
h o w P g c o n siderat
To s t divin
o nigh
them t
Challenge
Upon completion of AquaMission: Night Specialist, PADI Seals will be able to
answer the following questions:
• How do you talk to your buddy underwater at night?
• How do you check your air gauge at night?
• What special gear is used for night diving?

Skills
• Underwater dive light use

Upon completion of AquaMission: Night Specialist, PADI Seals will be able to:
1. Demonstrate basic dive light use.

Special Materials
In addition to equipment listed in program Standards:
• Dive light for each participant (required)
• Chemical/marker light
• Backup light
• Surface reference lights
• Underwater orientation lights
• Float and attached descent line
• Aquatic animal toys

Set Up
• This activity takes place at night, which is generally considered anytime
between sunset and sunrise, however, indoor environments in which night
conditions may be simulated by reducing artificial lighting may be used.
• Each participant must have an underwater light. A backup light or chemi-
cal/marker light for every diver may be desirable.
• Involve PADI Seals with dive planning activities that may include shore/
surface reference lights and underwater orientation lights (chemical lights,
strobes, etc.).
• Simulate a night aquatic environment by placing toy marine animals
around the pool in locations and positions they would be likely to be found
in at night. (Fish sleeping in crevices, lobster crawling on the bottom,
morays out foraging). Use buckets and other plastic containers to simulate
rocks and crevices.
• Challenge PADI Seals to find and identify the various creatures positioned
around the pool.

46 AquaMission: Night Specialist

 Interactive Briefing
Opening Dialog
Ask the following questions and solicit answers and interaction from PADI
Seals.
• What are some differences between the day and night diving environment?
[Dark at night, hard to see without lights. Maybe it’s colder at night.]
• What special diving equipment do you think we’ll need to night dive?
[Dive lights. Introduce dive lights, chemical/backup lights, shore/sur-
face reference lights and underwater orientation lights (chemical lights,
strobes, etc.).]
• What’s the difference between dive lights and regular flashlights?
[A dive light must not leak. Explain that dive lights are sealed with spe-
cial O-rings.]
• How do you think you can communicate underwater at night?
[Demonstrate and practice communication with hand signals and dive
lights.]
• How do you think you can read your gauges at night?
[Shine a dive light on them. Explain that most gauges glow in the dark.]

Review the PADI Seal Team Flip Chart

Conduct an interactive review of the PADI Seal Team Code of Conduct, diving
safety rules, hand signals and equipment introduced in the PADI Seal Team Flip
Chart pages one through four.

Review Challenge in PADI Seal Team AquaMission Logbook

Pool Dive
1. Predive
• Prior to entry, set up reference lines and underwater reference lights as
appropriate.
• Gather kids to the poolside and help them set up their equipment.
• Assign buddies.
• Attach chemical backup lights. (optional)
• Caution kids not to shine dive lights in each other’s eyes.
• Set up surface markers.
• General pool rules and safety reminders.
• Underwater safety rules and reminders.

2. Skill briefing and conduct in shallow water

• Shallow water entry
• Don and adjust equipment
• Check kids’ lights to make sure they’re working properly.
• Explain that kids will be looking for creatures in the pool.
• Emphasize night buddy procedures.
• Practice using hand signals and checking gauges with dive light.

PADI Seal Team Instructor Guide 47

 • Fin pivot and hovering – Explain that maintaining proper buoyancy
is key to staying off the bottom while night diving. Have participants
practice fin pivot and hovering if appropriate. Note: Kids who have not yet
completed AquaMissions 1-5 may not have learned how to fin pivot or hover. If
this is the case, these skills should be introduced at this time.

3. Activity
• Descend
• Lights out – adjust to the darkness with dive lights covered (press against
body, or cover with hand)
• Search for night creatures.

4. Post Dive
• Break as appropriate (bathroom, drying, dressing, etc.) to assure comfort.

Interactive Debriefing
Closing Dialog
Ask questions and solicit answers and interaction from PADI Seals.
[Questions should be based on actual occurrences during the session.]
• What was different about diving at night?
[Discuss dive lights, signals, reference markers and other night diving
logistics encountered.]

Closing Activities
• Issue decals for the PADI Seal Team AquaMission Logbook
• Remind PADI Seals to read the section in their PADI Seal Team AquaMission
Activity Book for their next AquaMission.
• Report to parents or guardians on children’s performance.

48 AquaMission: Night Specialist

 Safety

M i s s io n:
Te a m Aqua
D I S ea l G o al buddie
s when
PA i s t
pecial how to help out the i r d i v e

fe t y S
Sa emonstrate
eals d
PADI S
.
needed
Challenge
Upon completion of AquaMission: Safety Specialist, PADI Seals will be able
to answer the following questions:
• What are the steps in a predive buddy gear check?
• How do you call for help if you have a problem?
• What are the four steps in the Four Step Assist?

Skills
• Predive safety check
• Cramp removal – self and buddy
• Throw a rescue line or float
• Positive buoyancy on the surface – self and buddy
• Rescue tow

Upon completion of AquaMission: Safety Specialist, PADI Seals will be able

to:
1. Perform a predive safety check with a buddy.
2. Perform a cramp removal on both self and buddy.
3. Demonstrate how to throw a rescue line or float.
4. Establish buoyancy on the surface for both self and buddy.
5. Perform a rescue tow.

Special Materials
In addition to equipment listed in program Standards:
• Line for assisting from pool deck
• Float or other item to toss from pool deck to diver needing assistance
• Whistles, inflatable signal tubes
• Pool toys for games

Set Up
• This activity takes place on the pool deck to start and then at the surface
in full scuba. Cramp removal may be practiced at the surface and/or
underwater.
• PADI Seals learn how to assist someone needing help in the water by
throwing a line, float or other item and pulling the person slowly to
safety. There are several ways to accomplish this. You may have PADI
Seals take turns throwing a rescue line or float to you or an assistant (kids
on deck/you in water) or you may position one team on the pool deck
and another in water, taking turns as both rescuer and diver in trouble.
• Kids learn very basic diver assists, including the Four Step Assist:
1. Buoyancy – Put air in your BCD so you float at the surface. Then do
this for the person needing help. You can also remove his weight belt if
he has one.
2. Relax – Calmly tell the person that you can help. Tell him to relax and
stop swimming.
3. Breathe – Tell your buddy to take slow, deep breaths. This will help him
feel and think better.

50 AquaMission: Team Safety Specialist

 4. Tow – Tow your buddy by holding on to his tank valve or arm. Or, you
can push him from his legs.
• Make a timed game or race of the diver tow or push.

Interactive Briefing
Opening Dialog
Ask the following questions and solicit answers and interaction from PADI
Seals.
• Why do you think we sometimes get a leg cramp when using fins?
[We are using different leg muscles to move fins through water, this can
cause muscles to tire and cramp.]
• How do you know when to call for help?
[If there’s a problem, you always call for help, but especially if you are far
away from shore/boat, if you are unable to assist your partner, you need
help to assist your partner, or if you need help yourself.]
• What are some ways to call or signal for help?
[Waving arm, blowing whistle, yelling out, using inflatable signal tube]
• Why is it important to stay near and communicate with your buddy?
[So you are nearby to help each other out if needed, so you can compare
air supplies, so you can enjoy the dive together.]
• What are some ways to help an anxious or tired buddy calm down and relax?
[Speak calmly, reassure the buddy you’ll help, ask your buddy to take
slow, deep breaths]
• Once you and your buddy are floating at the surface, what are some ways you
can help a tired buddy reach the shore/boat?
[Tank-valve tow, underarm tow, upper-body push]
• When your partner needs help and you assist, how does that make you feel?
[It makes us feel good to assist someone who needs help, and gives us con-
fidence in our own ability.]
• What are some easy ways to keep problems from occurring when diving?
[Do a predive safety check (BWRAF), stay near your buddy, equalize often,
check your air often, communicate with your buddy.]

Review the PADI Seal Team Flip Chart

Conduct an interactive review of the PADI Seal Team Code of Conduct, diving
safety rules, hand signals and equipment introduced in the PADI Seal Team Flip
Chart pages one through four.

Review Challenge in PADI Seal Team AquaMission Logbook

Pool Dive
1. Predive
• Gather kids to the poolside and help them set up their equipment.
• Assign buddies.
• Describe logistics for rescue line or float throwing exercise and conduct as
appropriate.
• General pool rules and safety reminders.
• Underwater safety rules and reminders.
PADI Seal Team Instructor Guide 51
2. Skill briefing and conduct in shallow water
• Shallow water entry
• Don and adjust equipment
• Predive safety check (BCD, Weights, Releases, Air, Final OK)
• Cramp removal, self and buddy
• Calling/signaling for help
• Establish buoyancy (self and buddy)
• Calm buddy
• Control breathing
• Diver assist (tow or push)

3. Activity
• Skills may be repeated in deeper water after conducting them in shallow
water.

4. Post Dive
• Break as appropriate (bathroom, drying, dressing, etc.) to assure comfort.

Interactive Debriefing
Closing Dialog
Ask questions and solicit answers and interaction from PADI Seals.
[Questions should be based on actual occurrences during the session.]
• What did you learn about helping someone in a dive emergency?
[Solicit responses and praise performance.]
• When would you call for help?
[Always.]

Closing Activities
• Issue decals for the PADI Seal Team AquaMission Logbook.
• Remind PADI Seals to read the section of their PADI Seal Team AquaMission
Activity Book for their next AquaMission.
• Report to parents or guardians on children’s performance.

52 AquaMission: Team Safety Specialist

 Search and Recovery

i s s ion:
a m A q u aM
i ali s t Goal
eal Te Spe c
PADI S and Recovernyg and retrieving lost
items.

Search ic skills for loca

ti
bas
oduce
To intr
Challenge
Upon completion of AquaMission: Search and Recovery Specialist, PADI
Seals will be able to answer the following questions:
• Does using a search pattern make it easier to find lost objects?
• Which search patterns can you use to find lost objects
underwater?
• How do you fill a lift bag?

Skills
• Search for objects using a search pattern.
• Lift a small object using a lift bag.

Upon completion of AquaMission: Search and Recovery Specialist, PADI

Seals will be able to:
1. Perform a basic underwater search pattern used to search for lost
objects.

Special Materials
In addition to equipment listed in program Standards:
• Several small, clear plastic items (e.g., six-pack ring, food wrapper, plastic
beverage container, etc.)
• Mesh goodie bags
• Line for practicing knot tying (optional)
• Line for attaching object to lift bag
• Small commercial, or similar, lift bag
• Small object for lifting – choose something that would not be hazardous if
it were to sink.

Set Up
• Begin this AquaMission on the pool deck.
• Determine appropriate search patterns and search areas based on pool
configuration and number of participants.
• Demonstrate, then have participants walk through search patterns. Show
how to make turns using arm extensions. Emphasize buddy cooperation
and communication.
• In buddy teams, PADI Seals will search for and recover small items lost in
the pool.
• Before entering the water, have participants inspect search items for
familiarity.
• Have enough small, hard-to-see objects so that each buddy team is
searching for a different object.
• Take care when placing small, clear items in the pool – make sure you
know where they are (in case they aren’t found by participants) and keep
them away from the pool filter system.
• PADI Seals will lift a small object using a lift bag.
• Prepare lift bag and rig small object for lifting. If appropriate, have PADI
Seals practice knot tying and rigging the object to the lift bag. Otherwise,
the instructor or assistant will rig the lift bag.

54 AquaMission: Search and Recovery Specialist

 • Establish safety rules to follow during lifting operation. Enforce that they
will be lifting the object only with the help of their instructor.

Interactive Briefing
Opening Dialog
Ask the following questions and solicit answers and interaction from PADI
Seals.
• Have you ever accidentally dropped something in the water – off a boat or dock,
or even in a pool? Maybe someone you know did?
[Solicit examples of things people lose – sunglasses, fishing poles, watches,
jewelry, masks, snorkels, fins, etc.]
• Can you think of other items that end up in the water that shouldn’t be there?
[Solicit examples – cars, planes, etc. Suggest that garbage and other
harmful substances end up in the water – intentionally and unintention-
ally. Remind participants that as Project AWARE ambassadors they should
be careful to keep trash out of the water. Explain that they will practice
searching for and recovering clear pieces of trash in the pool.]
• Of all the other items mentioned, which ones do you think scuba divers can find
and recover?
[Solicit ideas. Explain that finding a really small item, like a necklace,
takes careful searching, but it’s easy to recover – just put it in your pocket.
Bigger items are easier to find but they’re harder to recover. Recovering
really big, heavy things like cars and anchors take special lift bags and
special training. However, they’ll get to see how a lift bag works when
they recover a small object from the pool.]
• Is anyone here good at tying knots? (optional)
[Solicit responses. Explain that they’ll get to practice tying two knots that
they can use to attach the toy truck (or similar object) to the lift bag.]
• If you want to search an area of the pool, how can you do it in an organized
manner?
[Solicit ideas. Explain that to be thorough, you must choose an appropri-
ate search pattern and coordinate the search with your buddy. Transition
into the poolside activities by describing the patterns they’ll practice.]

Review the PADI Seal Team Flip Chart

Conduct an interactive review of the PADI Seal Team Code of Conduct, diving
safety rules, hand signals and equipment introduced in the PADI Seal Team Flip
Chart pages one through four.

Review Challenge in PADI Seal Team AquaMission Logbook

Pool Dive
1. Predive
• Distribute lost items throughout the pool.
• Assemble lifting equipment by the pool side.
• Gather kids to the poolside and help them set up their equipment.
• Assign buddies.
• General pool rules and safety reminders.
• Underwater safety rules and reminders.
PADI Seal Team Instructor Guide 55
2. Skill briefing and conduct in shallow water
• Shallow water entry
• Don and adjust equipment
• Explain that PADI Seals are about to search for lost items as assigned and
tell teams where to begin their search patterns.
• Instruct teams to report to Instructor when they have found and recovered
the lost item. Have them bring items back to shallow end (or prearranged
spot) to throw in a trash can.
• Explain logistics for locating and lifting the object.
• Only use an octopus to fill the lift bag. Never take your regulator out of
your mouth to fill the lift bag.
• Slowly fill the lift bag until the object is neutrally buoyant, then recheck
rig for security before continuing lift.
• Add more air, a little at a time to raise the object.
• Keep kids out from under the object as it rises to the surface – they do not
attempt to escort it to the surface.
• Fin pivot and hovering – Explain that maintaining proper buoyancy is
key to staying off the bottom while searching for lost objects. Have partici-
pants practice fin pivot and hovering, if appropriate. Note: Kids who have
not yet completed AquaMissions 1-5 may not have learned how to fin pivot or
hover. If this is the case, these skills should be introduced at this time.

3. Activity
• Descend
• Perform search for small lost items
• Rig and lift a small object.

4. Post Dive
• Break as appropriate (bathroom, drying, dressing, etc.) to assure comfort.

Interactive Debriefing
Closing Dialog
Ask questions and solicit answers and interaction from PADI Seals.
[Questions should be based on actual occurrences during the session.]
• If someone told you they lost an earring or even a contact lens in the pool, could
you find it? How would you do it?
[Discuss their success in finding the clear plastic items.]
• How do you feel about your ability to locate a specific object and mark it?
[Discuss their success in finding their assigned objects.]
• What did you learn by lifting the toy truck (or other similar object)?
[Solicit responses and discuss appropriate safety reminders.]

Closing Activities
• Issue decals for the PADI Seal Team AquaMission Logbook.
• Remind PADI Seals to read the section in their PADI Seal Team AquaMission
Activity Book for their next AquaMission.
• Report to parents or guardians on children’s performance.

56 AquaMission: Search and Recovery Specialist

 Skin Diver

u a M i ssion:
a l Te am Aq Goal
A D I S e i ali s t e and
clear
P Spec to snorkel at the su r f a c
D i ve r
Skin s demonstrate how o g r a m Standa
rds.)
PADI S
eal ee pr
m snorkels. r a t i o 16:1 (S
fr o e
water owabl
a x i m um all
M
 Notes
• Although this activity is a simple introduction to surface snorkeling,
instructors may include surface dives, use of weights, etc., from
the PADI Skin Diver course. Those kids completing all performance
requirements for the Skin Diver course may be certified as such.
• PADI Divemasters may independently conduct this AquaMission.

Equipment
• Mask
• Fins
• Snorkel
• Snorkeling vest or BCD
• Exposure suits and weights used at instructor’s discretion.
Note: If conducting as PADI Skin Diver Course, see PADI “Skin Diving/Snorkel-
ing Instructor Guide” for equipment requirements.

Challenge
Upon completion of AquaMission: Skin Diver Specialist, PADI Seals will be
able to answer the following questions:
• What is the best way to breathe while skin diving?
• What do you do to clear water from a snorkel?
• What are three important skin diving practices?

Skills
After completing AquaMission: Skin Diver Specialist, PADI Seals will be able
to perform the following skills:
• Adjust snorkeling equipment for fit
• Swim at the surface in snorkeling equipment without using
hands
• Remove water from snorkel using blast-clearing method
• Remove water from mask
• Maintain control of direction while swimming

Note: If conducting as PADI Skin Diver Course, see PADI “Skin Diving/Snorkeling
Instructor Guide” for performance requirements.

Upon completion of AquaMission: Skin Diver Specialist, PADI Seals will be

able to:
1. While wearing snorkeling equipment, swim proficiently at the sur-
face.
2. Control the airway to prevent choking while breathing through a
snorkel.
3. Clear a snorkel using the blast method.
4. Clear a partially flooded mask while snorkeling on the surface.

58 AquaMission: Skin Diver Specialist

 Special Materials
In addition to equipment listed in program Standards:
• Discover the Underwater World video (optional)
• Discover the Underwater World, The Snorkeler’s Field Guide (optional)
• Discover the Underwater World decal (optional)
• Pool toys for games

Set Up
• This activity initially takes place in shallow water and may be repeated in
deeper water once skill proficiency is demonstrated.
• Kids are initially fitted for snorkeling equipment in shallow water.
• Kids practice the snorkeling skills outlined.
• Kids play snorkeling games when comfortable with the skills.

Interactive Briefing
Opening Dialog
Ask the following questions and solicit answers and interaction from PADI
Seals.
• Why do people sometimes snorkel instead of scuba dive?
[Less equipment, unlimited air, can see lots of creatures, young kids can
do it, easy and fun.]
• Why do we need a snorkel?
[More comfortable to rest and swim without having to lift the head to
breathe.]
• What can you do if you get water in your snorkel?
[Clear it out by blasting air through the tube.]
• What is the best way to swim with fins at the surface?
[Long, slow kicks, keeping fins under the water].
• Why should we snorkel with a partner?
[It’s more fun, safe, partner can help if there’s a problem, share experi-
ence.]
• What should you do if you get cold while snorkeling?
[Tell your buddy or instructor and get out of the water, dry off, put on
warm clothes; exposure suits help.]

Review the PADI Seal Team Flip Chart

Review Flip Chart as appropriate for snorkeling activities.

Review Challenge in PADI Seal Team AquaMission Logbook

Pool Dive
1. Predive
• Gather kids to the poolside and help them set up their equipment.
• Assign buddies.
• General pool rules and safety reminders.
• Underwater safety rules and reminders.

PADI Seal Team Instructor Guide 59

2. Skill briefing and conduct in shallow water
• Shallow water entry.
• Don and adjust equipment.
• Demonstrate, and have PADI Seals practice clearing their snorkels.
• Demonstrate and have PADI Seals practice swimming without hands on
the surface.
• Remind kids to snorkel with their buddies.
Note: If conducting as PADI Skin Diver Course, see PADI “Skin Diving/Snorkel-
ing Instructor Guide” for performance requirements.

3. Activity
• PADI Seals practice snorkeling skills and play snorkeling games.

4. Post Dive
• Break as appropriate (bathroom, drying, dressing, etc.) to assure comfort.

Interactive Debriefing
Closing Dialog
Ask questions and solicit answers and interaction from PADI Seals.
[Questions should be based on actual occurrences during the session.]

Closing Activities
• Issue decals for the PADI Seal Team AquaMission Logbook.
• Remind PADI Seals to read the section of their PADI Seal Team AquaMission
Activity Book for their next AquaMission.
• Report to parents or guardians on children’s performance.

60 AquaMission: Skin Diver Specialist

 SnapShot

a M i s s ion:
e a m Aqu
I S e a l T
l i s t G o al r-snap
shot
PAD ot S pecia es using either unde r w a t e

Snap s h ag
ater im
derw
ture un eras.
To cap r v i d e o cam
as o
camer
Challenge
Upon completion of AquaMission: Snapshot Specialist, PADI Seals will be
able to answer the following questions:
• What kind of camera do you need to take underwater pictures?
• How do you keep your underwater camera clean and working
properly?
• What diving skills help you to take good underwater pictures?

Skills
• Take pictures underwater.

Upon completion of AquaMission: Snapshot Specialist, PADI Seals will be

able to:
1. Demonstrate the basic use of an underwater camera using basic
underwater photo composition principles.

Special Materials
In addition to equipment listed in program Standards:
• Snapshot or video cameras
• Props to photograph (aquatic life toys suggested)

Set Up
• Prepare cameras, preferably prior to youngsters’ arrival.
• PADI Seals will be assigned a photo-buddy to team up with. One buddy
will take pictures the first half of the dive and the second buddy will take
pictures on the second half of the dive.
• Place an assortment of various aquatic-life toys or other interesting photo
subjects in the pool as props.
• Have kids pose as photo subjects for each other underwater, using the
props.

Interactive Briefing
Opening Dialog
Ask the following questions and solicit answers and interaction from PADI
Seals.
• I’ve asked you to share a camera with your buddy, instead of giving everyone a
camera. Why do you think I’ve done this?
[Discuss buddy procedures and explain that it’s easy to get distracted and
lose your buddy if both are taking pictures at the same time.]
• How can you help your buddy take good pictures?
[Posing, finding cool aquatic life for him to take pictures of.]
• What are some of the things that you think might be important about taking
good underwater pictures?
[Distance from subject, buoyancy control.]

62 AquaMission: Snapshot Specialist

 Review the PADI Seal Team Flip Chart
Conduct an interactive review of the PADI Seal Team Code of Conduct, diving
safety rules, hand signals and equipment introduced in the PADI Seal Team Flip
Chart pages one through four.

Review Challenge in PADI Seal Team AquaMission Logbook

Pool Dive
1. Predive
• Gather kids to the poolside and help them set up their equipment.
• Assign buddy teams, explaining that one buddy will take pictures the first
half of the dive and the second buddy will take pictures on the second
half of the dive.
• Place cameras on the pool deck in a location easily accessible after entry.
• General pool rules and safety reminders.
• Underwater safety rules and reminders.

2. Skill briefing and conduct in shallow water

• Shallow water entry
• Don and adjust equipment
• Fin pivot and hovering – Explain that maintaining proper buoyancy is
key to staying off the bottom and avoiding accidental damage to aquatic
life while taking underwater pictures. Have participants practice fin pivot
and hovering, if appropriate. Note: Kids who have not yet completed Aqua-
Missions 1-5 may not have learned how to fin pivot or hover. If this is the case,
this skill should be introduced at this time.
• Provide each buddy pair with a camera
• Distribute props as appropriate

3. Activity
• Descend
• Buddy #1 takes pictures
• Buddy #2 takes pictures

4. Post Dive
• Break as appropriate (bathroom, drying, dressing, etc.) to assure comfort.

Interactive Debriefing
Closing Dialog
Ask questions and solicit answers and interaction from PADI Seals.
[Questions should be based on actual occurrences during the session.]
• Do you think you got some good pictures underwater?
[Solicit responses and descriptions of favorite photo opportunities the kids
encountered.]
• What did you learn?
[Solicit responses.]

PADI Seal Team Instructor Guide 63

Closing Activities
• Issue decals for the PADI Seal Team AquaMission Logbook.
• Schedule meeting to share photos or video taken in this AquaMission.
• Remind PADI Seals to read the section in their PADI Seal Team AquaMission
Activity Book for their next AquaMission.
• Report to parents or guardians on children’s performance.

64 AquaMission: Snapshot Specialist

 Wreck

a M i s s ion:
L T E A M Aqu s
EA l
PADI S pecialist Gonadamental skillsficfoiar ldreefs that
n
iving o
S
Wreck als to d
evelop
I Se
fu
of wrec
ks as a
cept
rti
e kids
with b
asic
liariz
w PAD the con o fami
To allo ro d u c e
ion a n d t
edures
.
, to int protect d proc
wrecks n a n d cep t s a n
cautio gy con
require er archaeolo
at
underw
Challenge
Upon completion of AquaMission: Wreck Specialist, PADI Seals will be able to
answer the following questions:
• How do you keep from hurting wrecks and artificial reefs?
• What is an underwater archaeologist?
• Is it ever okay to take things from wrecks?

Skills
• Buoyancy control
• Measure and map a simulated, submerged wreck.

Upon completion of AquaMission: Wreck Specialist, PADI Seals will be able

to:
1. Demonstrate basic buoyancy control.
2. Demonstrate how to measure a submerged object and record mea-
surements on a slate

Special Materials
In addition to equipment listed in program Standards:
• Large slate for each dive team
• Builder’s tape measure
• Shipwreck (any boat or boat-shaped item you can submerge in a pool,
such as an old rowboat, plastic boat-shaped kiddie pools, or a boat shape
fabricated from PVC tubing, or a boat-shape made from weighted line on
the pool bottom.) Note: See Games appendix for instructions on building the
PVC Shipwreck.
• Shipwreck artifacts (items to put in the wreck, such as a comb, play
money, plastic dishes and/or pans, etc.)
• Camera (optional)

Setup
• Submerge the wreck in the pool.
• Put grouped similar artifacts in discreet areas so that PADI Seals will be
able to make deductions about the wreckage. (For example, put plastic
dishes and a pan in one area of the wreck, and coins and costume jewelry
in another. Later, PADI Seals will be able to deduce where the kitchen was
and where the ship’s safe was that held passengers’ money and jewelry.)
• On each slate, draw the outline of the wreck.

Interactive Briefing
Opening Dialog
• Who wants to dive on a shipwreck?
[Hopefully all hands go up.]
• Who can tell me what a shipwreck is?
[Solicit responses; mostly about ships that sink.]

66 AquaMission: Wreck Specialist

 • What happens to a ship after it’s been underwater for a long time?
[Solicit responses. Ask follow up questions as necessary to highlight that it
begins to fall apart and that marine life grows on it.]
• If a wreck falls apart and things grow on it, does it become part of the environ-
ment like a reef? Do we have to be careful when we dive on it?
[Acknowledge correct answers and use follow up questions to guide to the
conclusion that you need not touch things living on a wreck the same as
you avoid hurting things living on a natural reef because you don’t want
to hurt or kill them.]
• What would happen if someone took everything away as souvenirs, or moved
stuff around?
[Guide answers – they wouldn’t be able to tell as much about the ship.]
That’s why it’s okay to dive a shipwreck to look, but you don’t take or
move anything.]
• What do you call a scientist who studies old shipwrecks?
[Underwater archaeologist. Tell them if no one knows.]

Review the PADI Seal Team Flip Chart

Conduct an interactive review of the PADI Seal Team Code of Conduct, diving
safety rules, hand signals and equipment introduced in the PADI Seal Team Flip
Chart pages one through four.

Review Challenge in PADI Seal Team AquaMission Logbook

Pool Dive
1. Predive
• Gather kids to the poolside and help them set up their equipment.
• Assign buddies.
• Tell kids that they’ll be making their maps using a slate and tape mea-
sure.
• Show them a slate like they’ll use and where they’ll fill in the wreck’s
length and width, and objects found on the wreck.
• Show them an example of a finished map with the length and width
filled in. Pass it around to look at.
• Explain that wrecks can have sharp edges, so they may want to wear pro-
tective gloves when they dive.
• General pool rules and safety reminders.
• Underwater safety rules and reminders.
2. Skill briefing and conduct in shallow water
• Shallow water entry
• Don and adjust equipment
• Explain that you want your buoyancy just right when swimming on a
wreck. This keeps you from bumping into it and hurting anything alive,
or damaging anything important to archaeologists.
• Have PADI Seals fin pivot to establish neutral buoyancy and swim around
in shallow water, neither touching the bottom nor breaking the surface.

PADI Seal Team Instructor Guide 67

 • Explain that divers need to work as a team to measure things, so they
need to practice before making the wreck dive.
• With an assistant, demonstrate using the tape measure, stretching it
straight and measuring the distance between two lane markers, pool
width, etc. in shallow water.
• Remind PADI Seals that they’re to measure the wreck’s length and width,
and to sketch the things they find on the map where they find them.
• Remind PADI Seals to use the skills they just practiced, and that they
should look at but not touch or move what they find on a wreck.
• Tell PADI Seals that underwater archaeologists take pictures of what they
find. Assign a photographer on each team to take pictures of what they
find, and of the team mapping the wreck. (optional)

3. Activity
• PADI Seals conduct supervised wreck dive with buddies.
4. Post Dive
• Break as appropriate (bathroom, drying, dressing, etc.) to assure comfort.
• PADI Seals work together to complete any final map details.

Interactive Debriefing
Closing Dialog
Ask questions and solicit answers and interaction from PADI Seals.
[Questions should be based on actual occurrences during the session.]
• Where was the bedroom, kitchen – whatever – based on what artifacts you
grouped? How could you tell?
[Do this for each of the areas.]
• How long and wide was the wreck?
[Confirm correct answers.]
• What did you learn about being an underwater archeologist?
[Solicit responses.]

Closing Activities
• Issue decals for the PADI Seal Team AquaMission Logbook.
• Remind PADI Seals to read the section in their PADI Seal Team AquaMission
Activity Book for their next AquaMission.
• Report to parents or guardians on children’s performance.
• If your dive operation conducts trips/tours to local maritime museums, or
puts on wreck diving presentations, invite PADI Seals and their parents or
guardians, as appropriate.

68 AquaMission: Wreck Specialist

 Appendix

Appendix
71 AquaMission Games

Download the most current forms

from padi.com/Pros area
Check with your PADI Office for region
specific releases, applications or forms.
70 Appendix
 Games Appendix
This section outlines game choices described in AquaMissions 1-4 and offers ideas
and suggestions for additional challenges of varying complexity. Part of the fun
of pool games comes from visiting toy stores, shopping the watersports depart-
ments in sporting goods stores, seeing what gadgets are available in pool stores
or surfing the web for related internet sites. Apart from commercially avail-
able toys and games, you can construct simple geometric assembly puzzles and
swim-through obstacles using PVC pipe and connecting joints. Weighted board
games, laminated card games and dominos provide underwater entertainment.
Pool games and toys allow kids to develop dive skills and build confidence while
having fun.

AquaMission 1 Games
Toss and throw games
Toss and catch Toypedos TM, underwater flying disks, etc. In early AquaMissions,
the kids will normally toss and catch the toys from a kneeling or a bottom sup-
ported body position. Later, in AquaMission: Inner Space Specialist, have them
toss and catch the toys while hovering.

UW racket ball
Using small plastic rackets or paddles, divers bat balls (golf balls work well)
among each other, trying to keep them from touching the bottom of the pool.

AquaMission 2 Games
Coin collecting
Collect small items from the bottom of the pool. Real coins work well, as do toy
pieces-of-eight or similar play money found at many toy stores.
Initially, toss a handful of coins into the pool for kids to retrieve. Incentive is
added when the kids are challenged by a prize for the buddy team that collects
the most coins. Provide a goody bag or similar receptacle for coin collecting.
Another idea is to toss coins into the pool and have divers seek coins with
specific dates. Award prizes associated with each date. You can also use coin
denomination. The winner is the one who collects the greatest value in coins. This
example strengthens applying mental skills while engaging in a physical task.

Coin toss
In deeper water, try having the kids drop coins from the surface and try to land
them in a bucket on the bottom. Have them descend to retrieve their missed shots
and try again. The ones who get all their coins in the bucket first win the game.
Organize as either an individual competition with each youngster having his own
coins and bucket, or as a team effort with two teams competing.

Dive rings
Commercially made rubber dive rings of various colors thrown into the pool for
kids to retrieve.

PADI Seal Team Instructor Guide 71

AquaMission 3 Games
Ping Pong ball and upside down spoon relay race
Divide the kids into two relay teams. Kids swim a predetermined distance and pass
a ping-pong ball and spoon to the next diver. The object is to get to the finish line
without allowing the ping-pong ball to escape to the surface. Losing the ping-pong
ball results in having to return to the start line before continuing the race. The
upside down spoon captures the ping-pong ball and keeps it from escaping to the
surface.

Egg and spoon race

Use the same set up as described in the ping pong ball and upside-down spoon
relay race, however use a weighted plastic egg, or similar object, and carry it on
the spoon in the right-side-up position.

Pass the snorkel relay race

Use the same set up as described in the ping-pong ball and upside-down spoon
relay races, however, pass a snorkel, mask, fin or other object between teammates.

Air supply reading relay race

Use the same set up as described in the ping-pong ball and upside-down spoon
relay races, however, instead of passing an object, kids must signal their team
mates to ask how much air they have and await the reply before continuing. Upon
reaching the next youngster in the relay, the racer must:
1) kneel on the bottom
2) give the how much air do you have? signal
3) the second youngster must look at and read the air gauge prior to responding
with the appropriate hand signal
4) the first diver signals OK
5) the second youngster responds with an OK signal before resuming the race.
Failure to follow these steps results in the player having to start over.

Assembly Games
Build a cube or other geometric pattern using PVC pipe sections.
Small configurations may be assembled/disassembled by individuals or buddy
teams. Larger productions may take an entire team of kids to assemble. Larger
assemblies encourage team-building, cooperation, communication and planning.
Advanced challenges include assembling items without touching the bottom or
floating to the surface, as in AquaMission: Inner Space Specialist. You can suspend
the beginning portion of the item from floats and have participants build the rest.

Puzzle Games
A variety of commercially manufactured puzzles are available that hold up to
pool use.
For example: Plastic balls or boxes with various shapes cut out – through
which matching shapes are inserted, simple variations of assorted brain teasers,
etc.

Other dexterity and concentration challenges

Opening combination padlocks
Solving a simple word game or puzzle inscribed on a slate

72 Appendix
 AquaMission 4 Games
Games that develop buoyancy control skills are appropriate for AquaMission 4.
• Swimming through an obstacle course of weighted PVC pipe squares or
diamonds, or Hula Hoops™.
• Playing “airplane” by swimming with arms extended, avoiding contact
with the pool bottom.
• Hovering mid-water in a cross legged position.

See reverse for information

on constructing Shallow Space Nine
and the PVC Shipwreck.

PADI Seal Team Instructor Guide 73

 BUILDING YOUR "SHALLOW SPACE NINE" STATION

4' 4' G
8' B A
2' 2'
2'
E
=x2 =x2 H
B
A
D
x1
8' E
F
2' D C
C
=x4
Station G
Components F

C C

2' 2' 6' 6'

3' PCV Cutter recommended

1' = x 2 3' H
1' = x 2 =x2 =x2 PVC Cement
8 X 90 elbow
8 X 1/2-1/3 screw adapters
8 X corner pieces

Solar Collector 41' of PVC 3/4" schedule 40

Components

SHIPWRECK

E-2 C E-4
A
D
E-1 B
E-3
E-3
G
F
B
A D E-2 E-4
E-1 A
B C E-3
E-3 D E-2 C E-4 A

B E-1
B
E-5
A
E-3
E-1

B
D E-2 E-4

C A

A 6 ea – 3/4" X 3/4" L w 1/2" threaded female E 3/4" schedule 40 F

PVC pipe
B 6 ea – 1/2" threaded 3/4" slip E-1 32" – 4 ea 1/2" threaded
E-2 6 " – 4 ea PVC 24"
C 4 ea – 3/4" T E-3 24" – 7 ea
D E-4 60" – 4 ea
1 ea – 3/4" – 45 L
E-5 49" – 1 ea

For Metric Measurements:

Multiply By For G 1 ea – 3/4" T w/ 1/2" threaded female
Inches 25.4 Millimetres
Inches 2.54 Centimetres
Inches 0.0254 Metres
Feet 0.3 Metres

74 Appendix
 m a k e r
Bubbl e
ro-
p r o g r am int
ker at
e B u b blema n activity th the
Th s a ce
cuba a perien
duces s hildren to ex der close
c n
allows ater world. U nts swim
r w p a
unde ion, partici hallow con-
is s l
superv on scuba in ying. Colorfu els
a w
around ter – just pl s, decals, to c-
w a l e m e er
fined a k er emb a distinctiv e the
e m
Bubbl s along with d card mak
y n
and to certificate a ember.
n m
ognitio ce one to re
i e n
exper

ciation
nal Asso
Professio g Instructors
of Divin
PADI Bubblemaker Instructor Guide
© PADI 2007

All rights reserved.

Published by PADI Americas, Inc.

30151 Tomas Street
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688 USA

Printed in U.S.A.
Product No. 79182 Version 1.02 (11/07)

2
 Standards
Prerequisites
Minimum age: 8 years old
Participants must complete and sign the Bubblemaker Statement
before entering the water. Parent or guardian signature is required
for participants younger than legal age. If the participant checks any
condition on the medical questionnaire portion of the form, the par-
ticipant must receive medical approval prior to any in-water activities.

NOTE:
The use of liability releases may vary based on national laws. Check with your PADI
Office regarding the appropriateness of the Bubblemaker Statement in your location.

Supervision
Minimum instructor rating: Teaching Status PADI
Assistant Instructor
The instructor must control all activities and be in the water, directly
supervising the experience.

Location
Swimming pool or confined water environment with swimming-
pool like conditions.

Depth
Maximum depth: 2 metres/6 feet
Introduce participants to scuba in shallow water where they can stand
and easily reach the surface. When participants are comfortable breathing
underwater in shallow water, you may take them on a tour in deeper water to the
maximum depth of 2 metres/6 feet.

Ratios
Swimming pool – participant to Instructor: 6:1
Swimming pool – participant to Assistant Instructor: 4:1
Confined water – participant to Instructor: 4:1
Two additional participants allowed with one or more certified assis-
tants. Maximum six participants.
Confined water – participant to Assistant Instructor: 4:1

Time
Recommended: 60 minutes (30 minutes in water)

Equipment
Each participant must be equipped with: fins, mask, buoyancy control
device, scuba cylinder, regulator and submersible pressure gauge. Use
appropriate exposure protection and weights as necessary for diver comfort.
Bubblemaker Instructor Guide 3
Program Overview
Conduct the Bubblemaker experience as follows:
• Have participants read and sign the Bubblemaker Statement.
(Obtain parent/guardian signature as appropriate.)
• Briefly introduce and explain the use of a mask, fins, BCD, regula-
tor and pressure “air” gauge.
• Review breathing rules and equalization techniques. Discuss regu-
lator and mask clearing as appropriate.

NOTE:
Consider using the PADI Seal Team Flip Chart or Discover Scuba Diving Flip Chart
to review information.
• Help participants put on and adjust their scuba equipment in shal-
low water.
• Orient participants to breathing underwater, cover regulator clear-
ing and allow them to dive in shallow water. When comfortable, you
may take participants on tours in deeper water to the maximum depth of
2 metres/6 feet.
• Monitor participant comfort level and watch their pressure gauges.
• Introduce underwater toys or games, if appropriate, to enhance the experience
and increase participant enthusiasm.
• After the experience, handout Bubblemaker emblems, decals, etc. and recog-
nize participants with certificate and card. Complete participant Bubblemaker
Logbooks. Consider a social activity following the experience.
• Remind participants that they need additional training to dive
independently. Discuss the PADI Seal Team.

Download the most current forms from

padi.com/Pros area

Check with your PADI Office for region

specific releases, applications or forms