Eddie, passionate instructor and pioneer of the “Underwater Eco-Guard” program
A life-changing encounter
It was in 2015, during the Salon de la Plongée diving show, that Eddie crossed paths with Plongeurs du Monde. Impressed by the concept, he decided to become an Open Water Scuba Instructor, determined to join the adventure. With his OWSI and MF2 certifications in hand, he reapplied to the PDM team in January 2019. A few weeks later, Jérôme contacted him: they were heading to the island of Mohéli in the Comoros, with Jérôme as mission leader, Daniel Lancien and Didier Pivin to train the marine park rangers in PADI Rescue. It was his first playground far from the beaten track.
“I had a lot of experience in diving training, but this wasn't about tourists: we were training people who were going to work with, support, and feed their families, and above all, protect a small piece of this magnificent planet.”
A human adventure above all else
The experience was a turning point. He immediately headed to Madagascar for a new mission: the same enthusiasm, the same desire to share his knowledge, and the discovery of a country and a people of incredible kindness.
“Why stop when you're doing what you love? The students and the PDM teams share common values, a real camaraderie, and friendships are formed.”
The idea for a tailor-made program: the Underwater Eco-Guard
It all started at a CODIR meeting, where Louis relayed a question asked by an MPA manager in Chile: “Can we certify personnel to work in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)?” “ Discussions continued, particularly during evenings at the ‘Safari’ in Madagascar with Damien. It was Damien who, during his vacation in Bali, drafted the distinctive EGS (Underwater Eco-Guard) program, which was quickly adopted by the group. ”His talent and hard work immediately yielded incredible results: very little had to be changed afterwards. "
Jérôme, Patricia, Damien, and Eddie refined the project and sent it to PADI, which approved it immediately, without any changes. The first EGS instructor training session was organized in Montluçon, bringing together a dozen instructors.
Meeting the needs in the field
The Eco-Guard training program responds to a real demand from MPAs: to have trained, certified personnel capable of combining diving with marine environmental conservation. PADI certification provides worldwide recognition: 75% of diving certifications worldwide are under this label.
The short program (5 to 7 days) is aimed at future or current MPA staff, as well as marine science students. It provides them with specific knowledge and practical skills that are not covered in traditional courses. The only entry requirement is to be an Advanced diver or equivalent.
First: a colorful session in Tanzania
March 2025, Tanzania, Mafia Island: Eddie sets off alone, supported on site by a few Divemasters (DMs) who have never heard of the EGS program. "I was discovering the island, the students, the sites... And the documents were in French, while everyone spoke English or Swahili. It was educational suicide waiting to happen!"
So, with the rest of the team, consisting of Philippe, Claire, and Sandrine, they adapted, translated, and improvised: they even found an artificial reef... made from an old abandoned fishing trap! One student, Masanja, helped with translations and local integration. The end result: seven certified underwater eco-guards, and students and partners won over.
A promising future
This first session proves the relevance and interest of the program. Eddie is convinced: “EGS has a bright future if it is presented well. It is a real added value for PDM, with enormous potential, and training that can also be funded.”
For the instructors, it is a real challenge: “We're tackling new subjects, so we need to learn before we can teach.” But the motivation is there, as is the commitment: for the planet, for the oceans, and for all those who want to get involved.
Thank you to Eddie for his inspiring testimony and his unwavering commitment. The Eco-guard adventure is just beginning!