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APSA
 HISTORY
The Riviera Maya Association of Dive and Watersport Operators (Asociacion de Prestadores de Servicios Acuaticos de la Riveria Maya A.C. - APSA) was founded in 1987. It is a dive and water sport association representing more than 80% of the snorkeling, recreational, cavern and cave diving operators currently conducting activities at cenotes in the Riviera Maya. Its membership includes a wide range of experienced/professional Dive Centers and individuals who have cooperatively developed the standards and procedures of the Cavern Guide Training program. The program presented is the result of more than 2 years effort on the part of the local cave diving community with members who hold instructor ratings with IANTD, NACD, NSS-CDS, and TDI. In recognizing the growing need for continuing education in regards to guided cavern diving, APSA, its membership and local specialists in overhead environment diving have pioneered this curriculum. As well as setting initiatives for safety and conservation in and at the cenotes. APSA and its membership also provide community services such as addressing safe boating practices, conservation issues for ocean diving, installing mooring buoys, etc.
GOALS
The key objective of this program is to provide additional education and training for professionals wishing to safely guide certified open water divers in the cavern environment. Recognizing the need for such a distinctive course, the goals include education, conservation and preservation while providing the visiting diver with a "safe" and "self regulated" recreational activity. APSA and its Cenote Committee also implement "Quality Assurance" values on its membership and on cavern guides who are recognized card holders that have successfully participated in the "Cavern Guide Program". Although much information may be relevant to other areas, this training program is intended for Cavern Guides conducting Experience Dives in Quintana Roo, Mexico.
The program as a whole has been reviewed and approved by the APSA board of directors and the APSA Cenote Committee.
COURSE OVERVIEW
The APSA Cavern Guide Course consists of:
. Pre-reading on the part of the candidate
. Minimum of 6 hours academic development
. Minimum of 4 diving sessions at 2 different cavern sites
. Academic and Practical Evaluation
The administrative requirements consist of:
. Course Fee Paid
. Administration / Medical Form
. Waiver and Liability Release / Statement of Understanding
. Photocopy of Full Cave credentials
. Photocopy of current and renewed Dive Master (or above) status
. Photograph
PROGRAM RESOURCES
. Workbook - The intention of the student cavern guide-training workbook is that it be used in conjunction with an APSA Cavern Guide Training Program and it is assumed that readers are already trained cave divers. Versions in Spanish, French, German and Italian are available.
. Knowledge Review - Candidates will complete a Knowledge Review and confirm comprehension of any questions missed. The student workbook for the cavern guide provides an accurate resource of information that can in turn be shared with other participating divers.
. Handbook - The intention of the Handbook is that guides use it during general briefings, site briefings and for emergency situations during an APSA Guided Cavern Experience.
. Flip Charts - Included are flip charts, which are to be used as teaching aids by guides during the briefing portions of a Cavern Experience.
. Maps - Included are maps of the most popular caverns utilized for the purpose of the cavern experience dives. They illustrate the basic features and limitations of the cavern zone" as well as clearly showing the permanent guidelines to be used while conducting APSA sanctioned Guided Cavern Experience Dives.
. Accident Management Slate - The Accident Management Slate includes important procedures and contact information needed when dealing with an accident. APSA requires that guides have such information with them at the dive site.
. Participant Handout - The information presented within the participant handout is intended to: Educate the general public; be available at APSA dive centers; be used as a participant hand-out / briefing outline; provide contact information. It is an APSA requirement that all participants of a Guided Cavern Experience receive a copy of the Participant Handout prior to initial cavern experience dive.
. APSA Membership Contact List - A contact list of APSA members is included in the workbook.
. Incident Assurance Report Form - APSA Cavern Guides are asked to report any violations of standards. This form is to be filled out and turned in to the APSA Cenote Committee.
. Environment Knowledge Resource Section - A commitment to education, preservation and responsible use of cavern sites should be paramount to the Cavern Guide who acts as an ambassador and protector of this irreplaceable natural wonder. The Knowledge Resource" section of the cavern guide workbook provides an advanced level of understanding of the underwater cave environment beyond what is required in the Cavern Guide program. Topics are addressed by scientists who are not only experts in their field but also have personal experience and interest in the cenote and coastal cave environment. The objective is to make available a "collection of information" related to the cenote environment that otherwise may not be easily obtainable.
APSA CONTACT INFORMATION
VISIT http://www.diverivieramaya.com
The APSA Web site features:
. Upcoming APSA events
. Course schedules, and required forms
. Handouts and updates
. Spanish, French, German and Italian texts
Steve Gerrard lives in the Puerto Aventuras marina resort. He has been safely teaching cave diving for twenty five years. His favorite activity is underwater cave photography using the NIKON 100 digital camera with a Light & Motion Titan Housing using Ikelite strobes. He is the author of the famous guidebook titled - THE CENOTES OF THE RIVIERIA MAYA and soon to be published CENOTE DIVING - SAFE & FUN. You can contact Steve at:
stevegerrard@cavediver.com or www.steve-gerrard.com
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