Environmental specialist
I just finished the most amazing PADI Environmental Mission, and it was SO much fun! I had the best time diving with Polly – she's my absolute favourite instructor, and we learned so much about keeping the oceans clean.
- Diving to the Deep End
The first thing we did was head straight to the deep end, and guess what? I was the only one who went into the really deep bit of the pool – all the way to 2.5 metres! It felt so exciting to dive down there, and I loved practising my skills in deeper water. I always feel like a real explorer when I'm diving with Polly!
- Polly Threw Rubbish in the Pool!
Polly did something that shocked me at first! She actually threw real rubbish into the pool! There were plastic water bottles and bits of plastic wrap, and I was so surprised. It made me realise just how much rubbish ends up in the water, which is really bad for the animals. But then we got to work!
- Collecting Plastic and Saving Animals
My task was to collect plastic water bottles from the pool and “wrap up” the animals in the plastic. It was a bit tricky because I had to be careful not to hurt the animals (like fish or turtles) that might be tangled up in the rubbish. It felt important, though, because I was helping to protect them by picking up all the plastic! I had to go down to the deep end and collect all the trash, and I was moving fast because I didn’t want any plastic to stay in the water!
- Playing Catch with Buddy
One of the other divers, Buddy, was doing her first mission, and she was really excited! We had a fun moment playing catch with one of the plastic bottles, passing it to each other while we practised our diving techniques. It was so funny, and it helped me practice my buoyancy and control under the water. Plus, Buddy was so happy to be diving with the team – it made me feel even prouder of what we were doing!
- My Tank Got Stuck, But I Used the Special Signal!
One part of the mission was to go through a hoop under the water. It sounds easy, but my tank got stuck on the hoop as I went through! I wasn’t worried, though, because I remembered my special hand signal. I signalled to Polly that I needed help, and she was right there to assist me! It was a little scary, but it felt great to know I could ask for help when I needed it.
The whole Environmental Mission was such a special experience, and I learned so much about how we can all help keep our oceans clean. It was amazing to dive with Polly, practice my scuba skills, and work together with the team to make a difference