KOROR STATE GOVERNMENT MARINE TOUR GUIDE ... - C3

2.1.3 Roles of the tour guide
Apart from playing a huge role in ensuring a pleasurable experience for tourists in Palau,
the tour guide also has a responsibility to make sure the experience is safe as well. If
something goes wrong in the course of a tour, it is usually the guide who will be held
responsible. In order for this not to happen, the guide needs to do the following:
• Prepare all gear and equipment for the tour, and make sure it’s functioning
properly.
• Ensure there is a properly functioning boat and safe boat operator for the tour.
• Check weather conditions, tides and water craft warnings before the tour, and be
prepared for alternate plans.
• Give proper and thorough dive briefings to tourists, including safety tips, what not to
do, and what to do in case of separation from the group.
• Be certified in First Aid and CPR.
2.2 Diving Briefings
The dive briefing is an integral part of safe and enjoyable dives. The tour guide should
be sure to do a proper dive briefing before every dive to ensure that the tourists know
what to expect and how to behave while on the dives. A good diver briefing includes:
1. Dive Site Name – partly for fun but also for the divers information, often the diver
will insert it into their log – if the name is unusual it is useful to tell them the story
behind the name
2. Site Description – this includes a description of the site layout, points of interest,
depth, bottom composition, currents or water movement, temperature, hazards,
and other information
3. Your Role – tell the diver where you will be and what you will be doing
4. Entry and Exit Points – divers appreciate recommendations, descriptions, and
reminders of techniques – it makes the dive easier and more relaxed
5. Dive Procedures – this includes course to follow or direction to head, ways to
avoid common problems, reminders to make safety stops, air reserve methods,
maximum depths, and maximum bottom times
6. Emergency Procedures – includes problems that may occur unique to the dive
site and how to handle these situations, low on or out of air procedures, and
diver recall practices
7. Signal Review – remind buddy teams to review their signals between them as
well as inform them on the signals you will use regarding both the technical
aspects and the observations they should make
8. Roster/Buddy Check – be sure to establish and review buddy teams
9. Environmental Interaction Suggestions
• Identify organisms to respect and be cautious of
• Remind them not to damage environment by controlling buoyancy, not
kicking or grasping the reef
• Discourage fish feeding
• Take only pictures; leave only bubbles!
10. Pre-dive Safety Check – remind divers and be the extra set of eyes; check air
level, weight, proper set-up of gear, etc.
Information Source: PADI Dive Master Manual
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