
Capturing critical data in aid of the global marine debris crisis.
Since its launch, the app has been used by diving communities across 180 countries. The Dive Against Debris surveys continue to help PADI AWARE and other organisations better understand the types of quantities of marine debris found globally, with 1.5m pieces of debris reported.
The app optimises every aspect of data capture ensuring divers enter high quality data. Elements that were previously complex and error prone have been greatly improved with full offline and online use. Making the app accessible from any location.
1.5m
Items of debris reported

The challenge
Before partnering with PADI, Project AWARE came to us with the challenge of creating a compelling and easy to use mobile experience, enabling divers to capture vital ‘Dive Against Debris’ data. We needed to transform their physical, printed data capture form into an intuitive and enjoyable app experience.
We were up for the challenge! So began to review their diverse datasets, and user journeys to truly understand the requirements and opportunities for enhancement.


Optimising data capture
Identifying how the dense datasets would need to be segmented for users was key. Transforming a highly manual and repetitive process into a guided, accurate data entry experience.
Divers are now able to plot dive site areas directly onto the map, automatically calculating the latitude/longitude entry. Missing data is no longer an issue, providing clear validation to users, and every piece of debris can be logged and validated with the use of clear inputs and the ability to upload photographs.



Working offline – recording survey data in the middle of the ocean
From a scientific point of view, recording data as soon as it is discovered is key to accuracy, so it’s vital that divers can enter all their Dive Against Debris citizen science data anytime, anywhere – even if they were in the middle of the ocean with no signal.
The Dive Against Debris survey data collection was designed to ensure that the divers could progress through the data entry without a signal, and be saved as a draft ready to submit when back in range. The validation pattern on the app means the diver can progress through the app entering as much data as they have to hand but also later add or amend critical data when they have time to check and find out anything they have missed.


Push notifications – keeping up to date with surveys
Divers are able to save multiple ‘draft’ surveys. Local and push notifications ensure divers are kept up to date and engaged with pending and approved results.

Visualising local action for global change
The global movement of divers can be viewed on our web based Action Map, amplifying the conservation efforts of the PADI AWARE communities. Custom map nodes identify ‘Adopt the Blue’ ocean sites as well as all ‘Dive Against Debris site’ locations.

Combining legacy infrastructure with new
When we first partnered with the AWARE team, they had a Drupal website in place for their users and the Dive Against Debris citizen science database. Since then we’ve added new features to the app such as Adopt The Blue and these features have required integration to external systems such as emaIl and CRM, and new web platforms for visualisation of the data. In order to achieve this, the newer features have been built using new infrastructure choices but to the user, they all seamlessly work together.
