News from Down Under



Congratulations Alexandra Swanson on Earning the 20 Millionth Diver Certification

Alexandra Swanson became the recipient of the 20 millionth PADI certification when she earned her PADI Open Water Diver course certification on 4 September 2011. As a result, she'll be taking a dream dive trip to Queensland, Australia with four nights of accommodation in Cains, Queensland, Australia and a three-night excursion on the live-aboard dive vessel Spirit of Freedom. During her trip, she'll get to visit iconic Great Barrier Reef dive sites like Cod Hole and the Ribbon Reefs.

Additionally, the certifying instructor -- PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer Timmothy Aguon and PADI Five Star Instructor Development Center Micronesia Divers Association in Guam, were also awarded trips for one in celebration of the certification.

With more than 20 million diver certifications issued worldwide since 1966, PADI is The Way the World Learns to Dive®.

PADI eCards Available to Divers Next Month


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Project Pink Tank

Photo courtesy of Andrew Sallmon



October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and marks the launch of Project Pink Tank, which looks at diver health outcomes among breast cancer survivors. The goal is to document and measure potential mental and physical benefits from diving by cancer survivors. The project also looks at the long-term effects of breast cancer therapy on diver behavior and health. The first phase of Project Pink Tank involves a web-based survey of certified breast cancer survivors.
As the number of breast cancer survivors increases, so does the number of them in the dive community. Following recovery from breast cancer, previously certified women often resume diving for exercise and mental relaxation. Ultimately, Project Pink Tank will create a platform for future research and a medical consensus conference focused on diving and general cancer survivorship.The not-for profit Rubicon Foundation, the PADI organization, Duke Dive Medicine and VR Technology are supporting Project Pink Tank. For more information, or if you meet these requirements and would like to participate, visit http://pinktank.org/.





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