The Seal Certification Guide

The seven pillars

1. 1Safety & Excellence Inside agency standards · readiness scans · no-pressure turnaround.
2. 2Mindful Experience ARRIVE before, presence below, FFLN after.
3. 3Instructor Wellbeing Fair conditions, rest, burnout prevention, training.
4. 4Ocean Connection Low-impact ethics, citizen science, measurable protection.
5. 5Human Connection Inclusive briefings, real buddy culture, welcome for every body.
6. 6Evidence & Impact Measured pre/post with validated instruments — measured, not assumed.
7. 7Happiness Leadership A wellbeing hub; WHF science in how you lead and host.

How you are scored

28 criteria · 4 per pillar · each 0–3 · pillar and overall on 0–100.

Certification gate: Overall ≥ 70 · every pillar ≥ 50 · Safety & Excellence ≥ 70.

The process

1. 1Self-assess Free, about 20 minutes, in your Center Dashboard.
2. 2Apply Scores and evidence frozen; Charter signed.
3. 3Seal payment Founding rate, codes honoured, invoice on request.
4. 4Audit Every criterion reviewed by the Institute.
5. 5Verification One dive or visit with your team.
6. 6Certified Seal issued, Atlas listing updated.

Valid to the next World Oceans Day (8 June). Renewal = fresh self-assessment + light audit.

KPIs the audit looks for

• Readiness scans in every briefing
• Staff ambers led from the front
• FFLN debriefs logged
• No-blame incident loop with owned actions
• FP20 pre-post each programme
• Impact ledger at least quarterly
• Community circle cadence kept
• The Current every World Oceans Day

What you receive

Certificate MDC-YYYY-NNN · the Seal for your door + web badge embed · Atlas “Certified” listing with your pillar radar · Founding 100 status while it lasts.