How You Can Organize a Dive‑Site Clean‑Up
Learn how to plan and host a safe, effective dive‑site clean‑up—from choosing a site to coordinating volunteers, logging data, and reporting your impact. Perfect for dive shops, clubs or eco-minded groups.
PRESERVING OUR GREAT LAKES AND OCEANS
How You Can Organize a Dive‑Site Clean‑Up
Step 1: Choose Your Site & Timing
Select a dive site that is responsibly accessible via the shore or a boat, and safe for your team. Check for required permits with local authorities before planning anything. Timing your clean‑up around Earth Day or World Ocean Day can increase visibility and participation.
Step 2: Pick a Name & Spread the Word
Give the event a memorable title like Reef Rescue Dive or Save Our Site. Share details via social media, local dive shops, and clubs. If certified agencies like PADI or Project AWARE endorse your event, it adds credibility and helps boost turnout.
Step 3: Recruit Volunteers & Sponsors
Invite divers, non‑divers and businesses to participate. Local dive shops may supply rental gear, mesh bags or cylinders. Consider light refreshments or sponsored T-shirts for participants. Small entry donations can help cover logistics or fuel costs.
Step 4: Safety Planning & Briefing
Review conditions on the day of, and be prepared to postpone if currents or weather are unsafe. Organize divers into buddy pairs, assign one person to collect trash and the other to carry the collection bag. Brief everyone on emergency procedures and the clean‑up plan before getting in the water.
Step 5: Use Proper Tools & Techniques
Equip divers with mesh bags for debris, gloves to protect hands, and line cutters to safely remove fishing line. Avoid touching corals or disturbing marine life. When collecting trash, do not let bags drag on the reef or stir sediment. Work slowly and stay within depth limits.
Never attempt to remove heavy objects like tires or batteries unless experienced or equipped with proper tools. Items that support marine life or are encrusted shouldn’t be removed.
Step 6: Record & Report Your Data
Track what you collect — including the types and weights of debris — using an underwater slate or cleanup toolkit. Upload this data to platforms like Project AWARE’s Dive Against Debris™ or Ocean Conservancy’s Clean Swell app to contribute to global marine debris research.
Step 7: Share Your Impact
After the event, publish photos, total trash collected, and notable findings on social media or a website post. This builds momentum for future clean-ups and inspires others to get involved. Send thank-you messages to participants, sponsors or partners.
Happy and safe diving,
The ScubaBlast Team
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