If you’ve been diving awhile, you likely have a good idea of what tec diving (a.k.a “technical diving”) is, or you are one. But if you’ve only been around diving for a bit, you’ve likely heard of it, but not know exactly what it is and why some divers (including me) do it.

The PADI Professionals featured here embody what it means to be a positive force for people and planet. Nominated by PADI Regional Headquarters, each Ocean Torchbearer Award Winner has created a positive impact in their community in one (or more) of PADI’s Pillars of Change: Ocean Conservation, Dive Industry Sustainability, and People & Humanity. We’d like to congratulate each Ocean Torchbearer Award Winner for their work in making our ocean planet a better place to work, play, and live.

In this article, we will look at threats to the cave environment, and how divers can help to protect it for the future.

Cristina Zenato received the top award at Eurotek in Birmingham, UK on October 9, 2016.