This course results in a limited PADI® Membership and is an International Organization for Standardization (ISO 13970) compliant course developed in response to a growing need for snorkel guides who can show they have been trained and certified. In many areas, regulations and/or risk management require operators to have credentialed snorkel guides. Snorkel guides are additionally in demand to:
 
-Free up PADI® Instructors/Divemasters.
-Lead snorkeling activities with youth groups.
-Lead specialized nature-interaction activities, like those with manta rays, sea lions, whalesharks, etc.
 
PADI® Snorkel Guide candidates learn about their role and responsibilities, how to organize snorkel excursions, emergency care and safety considerations, and how to emphasize the need for snorkelers to care for the aquatic environment. Their water skills, stamina, snorkel/skin diving skills and rescue abilities are developed and evaluated. They also complete role-playing scenarios involving briefings and guiding tours. | Duration: 20 Hours
 
Important: 1. PADI® Snorkel Guides may only lead snorkel excursions, and do not qualify as leaders or assistants for any PADI courses or programs. | 2. PADI® Snorkel Guides complete a membership application and submit it to the appropriate PADI® Regional Headquarters with the membership fee. PADI® Snorkel Guides receive a certificate that includes their photo, which can be used as proof of achieving this level of certification.
 
Benefits: PADI® Snorkel Guides must renew their membership annually, and receive as benefits:
-An updated certificate
-The ability to obtain professional liability insurance in most areas (insurance required in some areas)
-The ability to represent themselves as certified by PADI® to lead snorkel excursions 
-Free of charge post-certification assistance with SecTur guide credential application for NOM-009-TUR-2002 and NOM-012-TUR-2016 compliance in Mexico.
 
Pre-requisites:
-Minimum age: 18 years old.
-Medical bill/certificate of good health signed by a medical doctor / physican within the previous 12 months.
-Current Adult, Child and Infant CPR, AED & First Aid certification (may be taken with us prior to taking this course, with EFR® certification https://www.asdlifeguards.com/product-page/efr-combined-course)
-Mask,  snorkel and fins suitable for snorkeling in open water.
-Ability to tread water / float vertically for 15 minutes. (Using no aids and wearing only a swimsuit, the candidate must stay afloat by treading water for 15 minutes. | Note: If an exposure suit must be worn for thermal protection, the candidate must wear sufficient weight to offset, but not exceed, the buoyancy caused by the suit.)
-Ability to swim 800 meters. (Using a mask, fins, snorkel and swimsuit only -no flotation aids- and swimming with the face in the water, the candidate must swim non-stop for 800 metres in 15 minutes or less. | The candidate may not use arms to swim, unless the candidate has a physical challenge that limits leg use and arm swimming is the individual’s normal swimming method. | Note: If an exposure suit must be worn for thermal protection, the candidate must wear sufficient weight to offset, but not exceed, the buoyancy caused by the suit.)
-Ability to swim underwater for 25 meters on a single breath with no fins or other aid to propulsion.
 
Certifications offered:
-PADI® international certification card (c-card in English).
-GLC Aquatic Safety Dept. or SG Compliance Solutions (international bilingual wall certificate).
-DC-3 form from STPS (only for Mexico).